The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-07-13

Nj r. Eth
or THE
NATIONAL SOCIETY
or
STOVE MANUFACTURERS

turers commenced its second semi annual
session in College Hall, Cincinnati, July 10
It's first session was held at Delnonico, New
York, in January last. MIR John Perry,
Of Albany, New York, President Of the
association, called the convention TO order.
and Mr.. A. +. Chamberlain, Of Cincinnati,
was on motion appointed Secretary.
The President Mr. Perry, in his address,
said that IN view Of the important interests
represented by the Stove Manufacturers
Association, there could be no doubt Of the
necessity and Importance Of systematic CO
operation to the whole trade.
Only u few months had passed since their
organization, and already two-thir,ls Of the
whole trade had united themselves with the
association. That without entire unity
there could he no perfect cu-olcratIon.
The unity they sought would, II wisely
used, elevate the character d the stove
business, aud confer permanent benefits
upon every member Of the organization.
The stove trade Of the United States WAS
limited to abouttwo hundred and ten firms,
and was substantially controlled by less
than one hundred and nifty firms.
They had 40 foreign competition. The
trade WAS by ~ means ia satisfactory
condition. The stove manufacturers, IN
addition t. the capital employed, must
have the genus to invent, the power to
construct and adorn, and the experience
necessary to- conduct a large and compllCat-
ed business Yet, for some years they had
not realized seven per cent. from their busI-
hess Oh invested capital. They now pro-
pose, by harmonious friendship aud coop
Grafton, to maugurIte u new order 81
things, which would result IN mutual
advantage and prosperity. Without CO
operation there is no protection against the
most disastrous competition ia prices. IL
had been said, aild with truth, that the
Dentist Association, during It's three years
Of existence, had derived more benefits
and disseminated more practical knowledge
among that body, with respect To their
speciality, than during the last century.
There will be sold during the present
year, not less than g., go, 90 worth Of
stoves not purchased because they are
cheap, but because they are necessity.
In one day during the last month there
arrived at the single port of New York
10000 emigrants, and during the same
week not less than 81, 600 families which
must, sooner or later, buy stoves.
We give employment 70 $50, go men, a
direct support to about CO.., 900 persons
We have about $50, OOO. 900 invested. pro-
duclng articles almost indispensable to
human life, while all We claim is Just and
fair return for our capital and labor.
With iron at fifty dollars per ton and
other materials III proportion, and the CON
stantiy increasing cost of labor, stoves Of
ordinary quality would cost from Sl3O to
$40 per ton, with sales averaging from
To q cents per pound, the balance sheet
would make bur a poor show at the end OF
the year The manufacture Of stoves is
vastly less profitable than it was thirty
Years ago In 1872 iron was S23 per ton !;
IN 1872 $50 per ton; moulding, in 1912,
$40 in 1872, S2S per ton ; mounting, in
1912, 81 iii 1872, Sl2 per ton. Other
items in 1912 amounting to SIS, in 1872
amount TO $40 per ton. In 1912 the total
cost amounted to 500 per ton whereas III
1872 1t amounted to $40 per ton an ad
vance of 100 per cent.
The profit at those rates on stoves in
1912 would lie 20 per cent, whereas the
profit III 1872 is fraction over seven per
cent, which is not fair remuneration,
and only those who are strong are able to
stand up under 1t for any length Of time.
He then referred to the probable advance
in the price Of iron, and recommended con
cert of action in regard to a corresponding
rise In the price of stoves. Since their
last meeting iron had advanced from - to
81 per ton, and the maximum price he
thought had not been reached. England,
he believed, would yield less iron every
year. Its coal mines were being worked to
greater depth every year, and at greater
risk and expense. The United States
would, at no distant day, become the pro-
Queer Of iron for the world.
They did not want cheap iron. If iron
fell to 49, per ton it would be a national
calamity. In 1861 iron sold for $40 per
ton, and trade Was never more unprotit-
able than at that time
MIR. William Resoe, in his address of
welcome, said, that without claiming that
Cincinnati would ever be the largest city on
the continent, it contained many elements
of extention and future greatness, among
which he would refer to the following
The trade Of the Ohio River for the past
year amounted to SIG, 900, 900, while the
whole export trade of the United States,
including specie, amounted to but 1862, 600,
600. There were seven separate trunk
lines Of railway centering in Cincinnati.
shortly there would be two more-the
Chesapeake and Ohio, and the Cincinnati
and the Chattanooga, (the latter the most
,F e,
the advantage and growth Of the city In
manufactures Cincinnati ranks the third
city of the United States The value of the
various kinds of manufactures for the past
year was within fraction Of $l36, OO0, 900,
Of which amount over 81, 800, 900 consisted
of stoves, hollow ware, CRATES, ranges. and
furnaces.
With respect to the coal and iron trade,
few years ago it was from 81 to 81 per
ton lower in the Eastern States, but in
consequence Of increased facilities and ad-
ditional furnaces, the Cincinnati iron mar
ket is now as cheap as the cheapest, and
presents a greater variety to select from
than any other point. The consumption
of iron here during the past year was over
200, 900 tons, and when the Southern rail
road was completed and the various miner
al, iron, and coal regions were developed,
through which it passed, in connection
with the block coal and ores of Indiana, sit
would show that there was reason to be-
heve that Cincinnati would become one Of
the principal iron markets of the country
He trusted the session of the association
would be harmonious and instructive, and
that the visit of the members to the Queen
City would be agreeable, interesting, and
profitable.
After the usual preliminary business Mr..
Sheppard, of Philadelphia, moved the ap
pointment of the following committees, to
report Thursday morning
A committee of seven to consider and re-
port upon the best plan to induce all the
stove manufacturers to join the association;
also committee Of seven to consider and
reDort uDon the Drsent condition of the