Twenty-one men and women were thrown out of jobs today when the Penn Lace Co., Lehighton, closed its Bridge Street plant, ending an operation that at one time had between 60 and 65 workers at premium wage scales during the boom years of the company.

Penn Lace is moving to North Carolina, having started the transfer of its machinery south in March.

Hilbert R. Miller, Lehighton R.4, a foreman, said the plant had operated since 1905 and at one time was considered the best place of employment in the Lehighton area.

He, like some of the other employees, spent all of his adult life working there, having been a Penn Lace employee since 1927.