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MAY LEAVE THE CITY.The MeKaiff Shafting VV rks May Go to Martinsburi?—Liberal Offers Made By That City— Ciimberlaud Must Do Something1 Quickly.Byof I ute cit; bolt; the twlt; t tin am wh Ar huI toj restoadipatt rutinnetlaywemefinoriw!wcaulMerwin McKaig, proprietor of the McKaig Iron and Steel Shafting Works, one of the oldest established industries of this city, is seriously contemplating the removal of his plant from ( umber land to Martinsburg, W. Ya., where he has favorable offers which may induce him to locate there.Eor some time past Mr. McKaig has been considering the advisability of enlarging his plant in this city, having been contented with working the plant to its limited capacity, while developing the patents and improving machinery which are destined to bring a very large trade to Mr McKaig, no matter where he may locate.The recent prospectus of the Martinsburg Mining, Manufacturing and Improvement Company made it apparent that sufficient inducements would be offered by the latter, in order to procure the works for that city, which will lose so much by the removal of the B. O. shops to this city. Correspondence was opened and a committee from Martinsburg visited Mr. McKaig, inspected his plant and returned with a favorable impression.On Tuesday last Mr. McKaig and Mr.W. .1. Muncaster, the superintendent of the works, visited Martinsburg, and as the result of their trip, have secured offers which may take the shops from Cumberland. The Martinsburg people offer five acres of land along the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at $5,(KM), and will erect the buildings for the works, costing about $lo,olt;H». The main building will be *100 feet long. This they propose to donate to Mr. McKaig if he removes his plant to their city. The site is a splendid one, and so far it is one of the best offers made, there being several other places bidding for the works.The buildings in this city have become too small for the increased demands for shafting, which has come in a volume of unsolicited trade sufficient to work the force and machinery to the fullest capacity anti then many orders had to be declined. Now. since the inventions have ! in been perfected ami patented, improved j fu and enlarged facilities must come and I se Mr. McKaig hopes to be able to realize wi bis best hopes, by putting up works that | will enable him to carry in stock 1,000 j ti* tons of shafting at all times. This with i hi r j other cost* of productions will require a m i ! capital of $100,000, and it is likely that a oi 1 I stock company will be formed, a plan ,. ! being now in embryo, which may be of * formulated and endorsed by the Martins- O burg parties. | wAt present no decision has been jreached, but unless Cumberland can of- j ,n fer better advantages she is liable to lose er | j an important and growing industry, un-! less some effort is made to hold the work- here. It appears that Martinsburg has the drop” on Cumberland so far. and she will probably make up for a tl portion of the loss in population that j tl w ill be caused by the exodus of her peo- i tl pie to this city with the removal of the j it: 11. A; lt;. shops. j ULet the Merchants*, Manufacturers’ and j ^l j Business Men’s Association take this ! matter in hand ami see if something can | a not be done to prevent the removal of a I* plant tl at must increase its capacity for j b production. There are about sixty men j j employed there at present, ami if proper * encouragement is given the force will be increased to meet the demands of the trade, and it is of sufficient importance to uiarm the capitalists and business interests of the city, ami to arouse them to ! ’ „ j prompt action. If inducements are of- I * a feretl foreign concerns to come here it | J1 g would be a sad commentary on the people i v ! to allow industries already established j I V j to remove from the city, when it is only in artoo anxious to have more come here Orphans’ Court.
Newspaper Details
Cumberland Weekly Civilian
Cumberland, Maryland, US
Fri, Feb 20, 1891
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Andrew S.
MD, USA 15 Jul 2024
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