Work of Rebuilding
the Tannery Begun
A little less than three years ago the people of this country
were amazed to know that Brevard was to become the seat of one of the greatest
industrial plants in the south. Less than five weeks ago they were overwhelmed
with consternation when the tannery was reduced to ashes in a few hours. In a
very few weeks from now the same people will see the same tannery rise like
magic from the ashes of February 19th.
The main building of the new tannery will be built by the
same plan followed in the construction of the building which was destroyed. The
new one, however, will be much larger in every detail than the first. It will
be 800 feet long by 80 feet wide and two stories high. The roof will be made of
dark red slate. The finishing department is on the second floor while the vats
are on the lower floor. There are to be more than 1,000 of these, each with a
capacity of over 4,000 gallons. The output of the enterprise will thus be
greatly increased. New machinery of the most modern invention will be
installed. In this particular the new tannery will have a slight advantage over
the old one, in that machinery of the type used in tanneries has been greatly
improved within the past year and a number of changes in equipment which were
being planned by the local tanning company had not been made previous to the
fire because of the rush of work incident to filling large government orders.
Now, however, the Transylvania Tannery will have the latest equipment in every
department.
A large force of carpenters are employed on the building and
the work is being pushed forward as rapidly as possible.
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March 21, 1919
A Petition for
Transylvania Tannery
We, the wood and bark men and the employees at and in said
plant, and the business men of Brevard, sadly deplore the great loss to the
Laborers, on account employment, for depression in business generally, and for
the financial loss to our company. Do not only extend our sympathy, but promise
our co-operation both by good will and encouragement for the rebuilding of said
plant and hope the same will be in active operation at the earliest date
possible.
Signed by over 250
Citizens.
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From the Brevard News, March 21, 1919
Speaks Highly of Mr.
Silversteen
Editor Brevard News:
In last week’s issue of the News appeared Mr. Galloway’s
article knocking the Tannery and Mr. Silverstein.
I cannot see how anyone could have the cheek to write such
an article against Mr. Silverstein.
It is true that it did take some of the skilled labor out of
the kitchens and from the wash tubs for a short while, but they received three
times as much for their services there as they did while cooking and washing,
and I think there is about as much honor in tanning as in washing. Of course I
guess it went pretty hard with some to have to pay Mr. Bromfield for their
washing instead of getting some colored woman to do it for about nothing.
I have in the past worked for Mr. Silverstein about eight
years and I never worked for as good a man in many ways. I never knew him to
misrepresent anything, and when he promised anything you surely will get it. I
understand that the work of rebuilding has begun, so hurrah for Mr. Silverstein
and the Tannery. So Mr. Galloway lets you and I go and get a job at the Tannery
and all be good fellows together, and perhaps Mr. Silverstein will put up a grindstone
and you may have an axe to grind some day and a double bitted one too.
Best wishes to Mr. Silverstein, the Tannery and the News.
--C.P. Hogsed
-=-
From the editorial
page of the Brevard News, Friday, March
21, 1919
“A Difference of
Opinion”
The Asheville Times
of last Sunday carries an editorial in regard to the tannery at this place,
which is in part as follows:
“When the plant was originally erected progressive business
men of Brevard contributed enough money to buy a site for the plant at a cost
of something like $6,500, and now that the original plant has been totally
destroyed it has been hinted around that unless there is additional financial
encouragement from the residents of the town the plant may be moved to another
town.
“And therein lies the trouble. Many of the business men have
expressed a willingness to again contribute a reasonable amount in order to
retain the plant, but this opinion is by no means universal, some of the
opponents of the measure have expressed themselves of the opinion that the town
should not only refuse to again contribute to the rebuilding but should take
steps to prevent the plant being re-established within smelling distance of the
town at all.
“A resident of Transylvania dearly loves a fight, and since
the proposition under discussion has two sides to it the people in the upper
French Broad valley are not disposed to pass the matter by without strenuously
insisting upon carrying their point. The outcome of the discussion will be
watched with interest.”
We think the Times
has been misinformed, as we have not heard any hints for additional financial
aid. In fact we do not believe the management of the Transylvania Tanning
Company would accept any financial aid. As we understand it what they want is
simply to ascertain the pleasure of the people, and when the Times speaks of “opposition to the
tannery” a grave injustice is done to the progressive spirit of the people of
this county.
When the tannery was built the people of this county pledged
their loyal support to the enterprise and the progressive citizens of
Transylvania have no idea of going back on their pledge. They stand ready to
back up the promises they have made.
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