Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-03-10
AMERICAN SILK INDUSTRY.

AMERICAN SILK INDUSTRY.
Successful Competition with Foreign Loom
brilliant Dyes and New Designs.
Says the New York Commercial Ad
vertiser, recently: Happening in al
the headquarters of the American Silk
Association, III Duane street, we found
several of the leading manufacturers
around the tables in earnest consulta-
ton, and presently an opportunity oc-
CURED in which to gather valuable facts
Despite the generally 1lnfavorable con
dition of business, the important inter
ests represented by these enterprising
men continue in full vigor. Moreover,
indications for the coming year are re-
garded as altogether hopeful. Ameri-
can fabrics are constantly gaining favor
in the market; in several branches i'm
proved machinery has been introduced,
and in the discovery and application OF
brilliant dyes, as we'll as bringing out
new designs, there is evidence of q
marked development. According to
the latest official statement there are in
the United Jtates 1856 silk firms and
manufacturing corporations, employing
1861 operatives, and who have invested
nearly $16, 100000. Of these different
establishments 81 are in New York, 80
in New Jersey, rs in Pennsylvania, %
in Connecticut, and IL in Massachu-
sets. So far as is known, not one of
the number has yielded to financial
pressure.
Low PRICE OF RAW SILK.
| ~ o.
ers is reduced, and it is likewise true
that the price of raw silk is as low now
as at any time for the last twenty years,
80 that the prices of manufactured
goods have fallen in some correspond
ing degree. 1t only remains for labor
to adjust itself on the same lower plane;
then factory wheels will start with new
life. It is significant fact that in the
six months ending December 81, just
rast, the importations of raw silk
amounted to 4,21l bales, or 100000
pounds, against 4, 2S4 bales for the cor
responding months of 1878, showing
that activity is fully maintained. We
now manufacture IN new channels.
New loom machinery has been introduce
ed from Europe, and considerable addi-
tons have been made by the skilled
mechanics of Paterson. It therefore
appears, 50 far as facilities are concern.
ed, that our silk workers are III better
position than one year ago, and ready
to take advantage of an early awakening
in trade, which is now confidently an
ticipated.
Importations have largely decreased
SO that few are carrying heavy stocks.
leaving the market comparatively bare.
| For the last six months in 1874, the i'm
portations were so per cent. less than
in 1871, and 80 per cent. less than in
1872. It IS evident, therefore, that with
o new start in business, Merchants will
quickly replenish.
AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS MORE INDIE
PENDENT.
Our manufacturers realize, as never
| before, the advantages which thev
possess over their foreign competitors.
Preiudices are fast disappearing. More
than this to q certala extent, they can
dictate the popular styles, or ''tastes,
and within sixty days supply orders for
large variety of goods. For example,
Cheney Brothers, of Hartford, origina-
ted dyes employing special chemists
and designers), and by virtue OF their
own recommendation, can largely lntlu-
ence, if not actually control the market.
In the last few months, great improve
ments have been made III fancy silks,
handkerchiefs, sc ,rfs, ETC., not only as
respects styles, but the dyeing processes,
some of the colors having q brilllancy
rarely equalled, also charming deli
cacy Of tint; and the Jacquard loom is
enabling us to produce choice figured
goods OF beautiful description.
FRAUDULENT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
The nominal tariff on silks is 60 pei
cent, but we hear it boldly asserted
that the revenue actually derived by the
government is not more than 43 to 45
per cent, arising from the fact that in
voices of foreign goods are systemat-
ically undervalued from one-fourth to
one third. Mr.. A. T. Stewart, we are
assured, would unhesitatingly affirm
that many descriptions Of goods can be
purchased in New York from 10 to Is
per cent. less than the cost Of the i'm
portation, If paying the full 60 per
cent duty. What is lost by that gov
eminent is in effect shared by the pur-
chaser here and the agent Of the foreign
manufacturer. So literally is this true,
that the latter (notably at Lyons, Basic,
and Mulheim) decline to set a price on
many classes Of goods, leaving this duty
to agents in New York. The extent OF
depredations on the Government Treas
ury thus committed appears from the
single fact that the yearly sales of silk
laces by some half dozen firms in New
York exceed the entire impor cations as
given in Custom House returns. Not
outstanding this unfair rivalry from
abroad, the Nottingham Lace Works OF
Brooklyn furnish evidence of a graf
flying improvement.
| AMERICAN SEWING SILKS EXCEL.
A little vanity might we'll be excused
on the part of Americans when the fact
is proclaimed that sewing silks now
made in this country surpass all others
in the world. That this is acknowl-
edged abroad. was manifest in the ex.