Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-01-23
WOOD.
Anew Field for EntsFprIss-Haatsd, Hands
TO Cultivate Il.

Editors appeal: IL is a matter of SUP
prise to a Northern man who visits this
city that so little interest, apparently, is
taken ia developing one class of manu-
features especially the materials for which
are lying round loose in greater sbUnd-
auc8 than in any other location in the
Union, and the market one that is sought
after by outsiders from far distances and
at great expense.
refer to those common manufactures
Of wood which are always the initiatOry
enterprises in all new countries, and the
demand for which commences with the
! establishment of the frat household and
never thereafter ceases.
There is no city anywhere Of the same,
or nearly the same, magnitude, either in
trade or population, that is surrounded
by such an abundance of the best kind of
timber for any manufacturing purposes
and so easily accessible as this.
Why then is it that all Of even the most
common household utensils and furui-
ture are brought to levee by the boat
lOsd from the North instead Of being
made here?
frequently cargOes arrive at u land
ing from the Ohio river, the bare freight
upon which would be no slight income
upon a few thousand dollars invested in
making the same things here, and here
they can be made just as cheap and as
E0AA as az dAI DAdGo q kADAanAA ILLUS OAAa
In this class of manufacture, also, the
margin between the cost of production at
the shop and the retail price is greater
han in any other,
The cotton or wooden manufacturer is
satisfied with a small percentage on hun
dreds Of thousands of capital invested,
a large part Of which is stock in store,
while in this the material to work on can
be acquired daily, as the wants of the
business demands, and no investment,
except for buildings and machinery and a
few weeks Of wages bills, need be made. |
The market here is immediate, at prices
far above n Northern locslity. The
home customer is known, so there is less
danger Of loss from bad debts, and the
dozen or more leading outward avenues
of trade, now more or less supplied from
other sources direct, q radiating from
this point a. a center, would lev cease
to demand increased supplies as the
country fills up and the people become
better able to supply their residences with
more and better oOnveniences ofIving.
For many years I have been well posted
in regard to the wooden and lumber nan
ufactures of the upper end Of this Valley,
and the facilities therefor, and I unhesi-
tatingly pronounce that Memphis has in
its vicinity more and better timber, more
easily and safely brought to its doors,
suitable for every description Of common
and w-Ooden.ware, barrels, or
agricultural machines or carriages, than
any other place whatever. She has also,
as every one knows, the best home mar
for all these things in the Southwest,
and there is no reason whatever why il
not be entirely supplied by her
OWn operatives, working with her own
and filing her streets with the
Of busy labor.
Simple trade never did and mover will
build up a very large city anywhere, and
alone is always liable to be diverted
~ the chances Of growth in q new
country. But no large manufacturing
lily ever got q backset from such causes.
The workshops once established will
Command the situation as long as q de-
nsnd for its work exists and material can
% had.
I am informed that an effort is now
,6inR made by an agent of one of the
chair factories in Ohio, to obtain
apital for a branch concern here. 1t is
0 be hoped that he may succeed. The ,
aren't shop can furnish the experience,
be skill, and select the machinery, and I
end expert operatives to train the new 5
mes; while If it is extended as It can be, !
undreds Of the men, women and boys Of t
be city VIII find permanent employment.
But this would be but one branch of the
woodwork trade. Chamber and kitchen
-WoOdenware of all kinds, Wag-
q material and the finished article,
lack snd tight barrel stuf-ths latter
1uld be shipped to Europe at a large
roht-can be made as well, the best ma
for all these being s~uperabundant
close by. n
As for myself, 1 have a desire TO invest ]
small amount OF capital in an enterprise e
to those above mentioned, one y.
hich I feel sure viii pay largely, and if =
lccesaful be a great benefit to the COM d
unity as well IS It's ~orlginstors.
Any one wishing to talk Of these things q
address me in care OF the City Rail- =
Sd office, @, Il. 3,