Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1874-09-22

THE MANUFACTURE or MOROCCO AND THE RoLlINa-
MILL 1NTEREer-A STRONG CONTRACT.
One of the most important industries OF this
city is the manufacture of morocco According
to the report of the Secretary of the Board of
Trade in October, 1873, there was then a capt.
tai invested of 81, 400, 600, with an annual pro-
duciion Of 81 100000.
THE MOROCCO TRADE
may be said TO be in u fairly prosperous condi-
ton. During the whole year there has been
steady and active, but not strong demand in |
"hardn stocks, and tho manufacturers in this |
line of goods have had pretty busy season. |
soft stocks, being little higher have been |
less in demand and production has not been so
great. The John G. Baker Manufacturing Co.
arc one Of the exceptions in this latter class,
however, for they have been producing to their
full capacity, throughout the entire season, and
are still running on unfinished ORDERS The
most of the "hard' stock manufacturers have
been working constantly, and, in some in
stances, with increased facilities, have enlarged
upon the production of all former years.
The aggregate production of the city in mo
rocco goods for the year will fall a little short
Of 1873, ii is thought, though all the factories
have done very fair, remunerative business.
In comparison with other manufacturing CEN
tres, Il is believed that Wilmington enjoyed
rather larger share of the trade than they.
The demand for manufactured goods has not
been confined 10 any particular locality. but has
come from all sections of the country.
vJust al the present time the trade is nbstant-
ally "between 4Casous.H The Fall trade has end
ed, and the manufacture for the Spring trade
will not actively begin for a month yet Pro-
duction has not ceased, however. Some have
slowed down little, while others continue work
ing as previously. The prospects for tho Spring
trade are not by any means dscouraging. In
quiIies are being made by letter and in person,
relative to stocks and prices, and while buyers
arc disposed to hold off little there is no
| great apprehension of Il refusal to buy when
| the proper season arrives. In one instance. at
least, several orders have been received on tie
! Spring trade, which exhibits some confidence in
| itn expected bouyancy.
| Prices remain about as formerly. There han
been an increase in the raw material, but buyers
have been unwilling TO compensate for this, and
the margin of profit has been somewhat narrow
cd down thereby.
THE IRoS NuFACTURERH-RoLlINu MILLS.
Villa ington now has four large rolling mills
ia condition for operation, and tifth-that of
the Mccullough Iron Co.--so nearly completed
that it might be put to work, in few weeks, If
| tho market justified its running IL will roll
sheet-iron OF the other four, TWO make bar and
merchant iron &C.. and the others one of which
is the new Clristiana Rolling-mlll, Which has
not yet started up) produce boiler-pate and
ship-plating. By the report Of the Board Of
Trade. OF Last year, tho capital i'll IrOn." (Which
item covered, we believe, only the rolling mills
was S750,O0D, with au annual production of ST.
100000. Since that time the erection of TWO
new mills has largely increased the item set
! down to capital.
| In this branch of manufacture, the year lust
| past has been an extremely unfavorabe PERIOD
| The demand has been light and unsteady, and
| prices 20 depressed, not only to compel re-
ductions in wages but very narrow margins OF
| profit. Of the three establishments which
have been IN operation, the mills of the Dia
Inond state Iron Company have been run
| throughout the season, their product being bar
iron. They have however. stopped frequently,
for few DAYS Or fortnight, waiting for orders,
and their operations have been conducted with
the utmost economy, in order to Justify running
at all. They had been stopped for several days,
up to yesterday, ttho 2lst.l when they again
started up.
The mills OF MessIs Seidel and HASTINGS have
been at work throughout the year, and though
suspended for a couple OF daya last week, are
now running. They employ their usual number
Of hands. They have been able. up TO this time
! to secure sufficient c0nhIcts 10 keen going,
pretty steadily, and have smell further orders il
, prospect as TO lead them to hope that they vii
not be compelled TO shut down. The market
/ however, Is nov in less encouraging condition
than 1t was few weeks ago.
The Townsend rolling-mill, which produce
merchant iron, whom III operation, has been idl
for several weeks. owing to the financial Suspen
sion of its owners. Their affairs are in process
Of settlement, but even if they wore satslactol
| ny adjusted lIele Is little OF no encouragement
at present, to start UP. Parties in Philadelphia
it il said, bought merchant iron very largely
some time ago, as fast az tho rolling mills sent
in. paying, however, very low rates, and eX
peetins to he able to reap handsome profit
when the trade revives, but they are uow4lndeI
etood TO have quit buying.
As il il inpractcable for pate.ron nlille +
roll for the marbet-their product being upol
orders, of specified sizes, qualities aud shapes
for special purposes---thru new works OF the Clri,
tiana Iron Co., already mentioned, are waitin
for orders, and have no definite prospect nj ntar
ing mp.
The coATEsv1LLL MILLS.
In connection with this subject, though We in
tended to particularly describe the Wilmingto
industries,it may be stated that the rolling-ml
at Coetesyille are slack Of orders and have hoe
80. Without specifying each. We believe hi
description applies to all.