The New York herald., 1873-11-08
CONNECTICUT.
Falling on I'm the Express and Sewing
Machine Business-Nine Hundred Men
Idle in Meriden.

Falling on I'm tho Express and Sewing
Machine Business-Nine Hundred Men
Idle in Meriden.
NEW HAVEN, Conn.,, Nov. g. 1873.
One OF the best channels through which to test
the effect OF money panic like that now agitating
the country is the express companies offices.
They invariably indicate the weakness or strength
of money resources, and the disposition OF buyers.
In good times, like those OF the early summer, the
rush of packages in every direction is some thing
marvellous and the capacity of large forces 10 take
charge or goods Is strained to the utmost Since
the present stringency the of1ces OF the Adams
Express Company In Connecticut have suffered ter
riby. The transactions have fallen OF at least hty
per cent This is especially noticeable in New Haven,
where a half dozen railroad lines centre Mr. w. D.
Armstrong OF the New Haven office informed
HERALD reporter this morning that business
exceedingly dull and had been since the panic
commenced. He viii hardly be able to do more the
current month than pay expenses. Mr.. John
Curtiss, the agent 1T Bridgeport, informed the
reporter that packages had lallen Off more than
fifty per cent, and the outlook for better things
was in no way encouraging. The Housatonic and
Naugatuck railways have their respective termn
in Bridgeport and usually add much to the great
trade Oi the company The people on the line OF
those roads have little money to invest just now
manufacturing Is at a low ebb and only return or
confidence IN the cash market can ef-
ect change in the state of things
At South Norwalk, Mr.. George Smith the agent,
told u dismal story. His receipts have gradually
dwindled down, until now they are scarcely worth
has its terminus at South Norwalk, and over that
road in good times very respectable business Is
transacted
Mr. Root the agent at Stamford, has the general
unsettled state Of affairs to report lie has been
with the company many years, but never saw
anything to equal these times. From all these
points the same story comes. People every where
are holding on
They seem to anticipate that the future is un-
certain and are unwilling to eXpend more than is
strictly needed. --.,.-.---t -
.ss~s,e BRIDGEPORT, Conn.,, Nov q, 1879.
The vulnerable point OF this city. with its 1000
inhabitants, is reached through its sewing machine
establishments, OF which there are three, the
Wheeler K Wilson and Howe companies being the
largest, and the Secor fast stridlng towards the
'front.' ranks The Howe establishment has had
something besides the present panic to contend
with, and 1T is said the agents of the Pacific Mail
Steamship Company can explain. The depression
or the hour is, however directly affecting its IN
terests Its
HANDS AND HOURS HAVE BEEN REDUCED
At least the sum OF 100000 Is due TO people in
Bridgeport for labor. These people bills nj
the various stores tOr the common necessaries OF
lie. They want to pay but cannot; and here may be
seen large item tending to draw the cords Of diff
nculty tighter. The report is current tins morning
that the shop Will be obliged to suspend work. Only
$50 men out OF 1000 are now engaged and what
they will do in OF discharge It Is hard to tell.
The Wheeler Il Wilson is running as yet on lull
time, but the order to reduce may be given at the
end OF this week. The Secor being a new
cern, does not give indications OF serious embar-
rassment. The usual number of men are at work.
The carriage interest is much affected, and pro-
prietors carry doleu countenances. What will be
the result with them cannot be told.
The Bridgeport Wood Distilling Company Is
established at Black Rock, which was lately an
nexed TO Bridgeport. Their commodities are acids
distilled from hickory wood and charcoal In
ordinary times they employ fifty hands; but at
present this force Is much cut down. The mate
rails TO work with are readily obtained nom the
woods OF the surrounding country, but money
must be ut hand 10 pay. orders have dropped on.
but stoppage OF operations at present is not
sULPHURIC ACID COMPANY.
THIS s in the town oil Fairfield, on the line OF the
New Haven Railroad Vast cargoes OF copper ore
from Canada and from Lake Superior, when 1t can
be obtained, are used to manufacture this COM
modify. only twenty men arc now employed at
the works. and these expect to hear oil their dis
charge da.y. Mr.. b: |" Budd's factory for the max
ing OF carriage bodies from India rubber has been
closed ior long time and it will not be possible
this year 10 resume business.
MERIDEN, Nov. 0, 1878.
The effects OF the money panic are plainly OBJ
servabe in this city, which, in good times. is u
place where very lively business is done. Twelve
great manufacturing companies, and twice THAT
number OF small ones, employing in the aggs safe
$500 men, have been compelled to reduce tIcr
spective forces twenty-five per cent. These men
are not discharged, but are simply holding on for
better things. The banks are In sound condition
and Accommodate regular customers, but nigh
rates OF discount asked. The dry goods
| merchants are prepared with full stocks OF
goods TO supply customers, but there Is an
inclination all round to hedge resources.
The trade Is at a standstill, ana there IS dark
prospect i0r the winter. Building operations are
less ny one-half than they we're last year at THIS
date, ana vet quite number OF structures, large
ana small, are IN progress. The Britannia Com
pany, with its hall million capital and its 600 hands
IN good times, has now only 400 hands at work. |.
wilcox CO., manufacturers OF woollen goods,
have been compelled 10 make q similar reduction,
but clam TO De able to weather the storm and
emerge rom 1t unscathed.
The Meriden Cutlery Company are also running
snorChanueu, ana may DC compelled 70 reduce the
hours per dlem.
The Miller Brass Company, Parker whpple,
manufacturers oi builders hardware, and wilcox
Silverplate Company are each feeling
. THE EXPECTS OF THE PANIC.
Each mas q large warehouse in New York, and,
with the vast army OF afiiicted ones there, com
PLAIN 0I str1ngency, orders railing and scarcity
money. Inc directors of the respective companies
have held meetings TO discuss the situation and
prepare Tor emergencies. They consider the out
look Is Frightening and the danger over.
Mcrlden mas population OF 1000, and IL is In
creasing at the rate OF 700 year. Heal estate IS
W demand and held at high rates within the city
lines IL Is the only security lust now in which is
reposcd real confluence. the poor laborcr, VINO is
abie TO earn his bread, and hopes TO save some
lining over and ABOVE current expenses, cannot
Just now be said 10 look with ieellngsof encourage
ment into the immediate luturc. Nearly 1,oOo
laboring men are waiting, trustluilyhoping. what
growth OF the city can readily be anticipated.
Tbe report ts current on the streets TINS after
| noon That Mr.. CHARLES Parker's hardware manu-
factory, employing 300 hands has closed operations.
NEW JERSEY.
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