Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 December 1908 — WANT $30,000 [ARTICLE]

WANT $30,000

And Five Acres of Ground For Factory. WILL EMPLOY 300 MEN TO START And Expect to Increase to 500 Men In A Short Time—Committee Favorably Impressed With Chicago Concern. President Robinson of the Rensselaer Commercial Club, and A. Leopold returned from Chicago Wednesday night from, investigating the metal furniture factory proposition, C. G. Spitler, who accompanied them, not returning until Thursday evening. They went through the Chicago factory of the concern and were well pleased with what they saw and were told .of the company. The plant is now employing about 100 men and most of the time works a night shift to keep up orders. Its pay roll is about $2,000 per week at present, and the quarters occupied are crowded. Metal school furniture, chairs, stands, etc., is the product manufactured, and j they have been doing a steadily in-j creasing business for several years, i They want more elbow room and offer to locate here for a bonus of $30,000 cash and five acres of ground; provided, after they come here and look over the situation they are suited with location. On this five acre tract, we understand, the company will erect a factory with 50,000 feet of floor space and agrqp to employ 300 hands from the start; title of land not to pass to them until they have paid out $600,000 here for labor.

The committee sent up to investigate were to report favorably to a meeting of the Commercial Club directors held at Foltz & Spitler’s office at 7 o’clock last evening, and if the directors were also favorably impressed, then the company is to be notified and they will send down representatives to look over the ground and submit their proposition in full ta the Club at a meeting which will be called for that purpose. If the Club totes to accept it then a contract 'will be duly entered into. Messrs. Robinson, Leopold and. Spltler were most favorably impressed and it is likely their report will be favorably acted on by the directors and we may look for representatives of the company here next . week to look over our town and decide whether they want to locate here or not. This is certainly a big concern and if it can be landed on these termß the matter should not be delayed.