Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1905 — A FACTORY PROPOSITION. [ARTICLE]

A FACTORY PROPOSITION.

Rensselaer has another opportunity to secure a factory, and the matter is now being discussed something definite will and probably be decided upon in a few days. A publio meeting was held at the court house last evening to talk the matter, over but we are unableto give a report in this issue. Briefly stated, a Chicago firm of overall and shirt manufacturers propose to come here, to start March 1, 1905, and begin with 50 hands, with pay roll of at least SSOO per week, increasing as rapidly as possible, providing our citizens will furnish free of rent a suitable room and give them free lights, heat and power for a term three of years. If agreeable to parties concerned, and at any time within the said three years the citizen to furnish suitable corner lot and erect a two-story brick building thereon 40x140 feet in size and install a steam heating plant and electric moter sufficient to furnish necessary power. This company employs mostly women and girls, and therefore is not so valuable an acquisition as one employing men —the heads of families—but it does not ask as much as most factory propositions, and were it to come here would furnish a means of livelihood for many women and girls of our city. Their object in leaving Chicago is to reduce expenses and avoid labor troubles, it is said.