The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-09-11
TIE GLASS TRADE.
The business OutlOOk-YIeHs of
Leading Importers and Manu-
iRc1urerS.

The business OutIOOk-YIeHs Of
Leading Importers and Manu-
iRcturerS.
y. Y. Bulletinot the 10Th.
Perhaps no branch OF industry coult
more safely be taken as better indica
ton Of how the commercial condition OF
country stood than that Of the glass trade
When business ia prosperous, building
operations become active, and the glass
trade 1ourishes; bat when Stagnation il
other branches seIs in, the glass industry
Immediately drops, causing dullness anC
low prices to prevail. 10 order to learr
something Of the present condition ant
prospects OF the glass trade in this city, q
Bul ain reporter called upon several Of
the leading importers and manufacturer
on Saturday. twas found that the bust,
neEs had shared in the general dullnesl
which had been prevailing during the
summer months, and that importers had
been, in many instances, compelled Ia
dispose Of their wares below the cost oil
importation. All tho firms visited, how.
ever, expressed the opinion that the
worst had been passed. and that the sea.
son now opening would be better than any
that had been experienced in along time
Much dlssatisiaCtion was found 70 exist
among the importers at the operations OIL
the tariff, which, il was SAID, are need.
lessly cumbersome and complex, in ad.
dition 10 the duties levied bninO eyor
bitant.
Mr.. Edward A. Boyd, importer oiplate
glass, No. 70 Murray street, when inter,
rogated by the Bulletin representative
said that business had been ruling very
dull, but that prospects, were now better
on account OF more enterprise being an.
parent in the building trade. GBoth
French Tand English plate glass
continued Mr.. Boyd, care cheaper her
than they are at the other side, and many
OF the importers have been compelled to
sell below cost OF importation on account
Of the depressed condition OF the trade.
Things are looking brighter now, how
ever, and al the recent meeting Of impor.
tiers, held at the Astor House, prices Of
window glaIs were revised and advanced
about five per cent, with tho probability
that there will be further advance to-
ward the latter end OF the month. The
foreign manufacturers have also been in
a bad way, as there has been little or no
demand at the other side; and hence, hay
ing a large stock on hand, they we're
forced 10 find some market for their
goods" ............-
Mr.. S. Uhlmann, Of the firm Of Semon
Bache & Co, glass importers, Duane
street, said, in response TO inquiries, that
prices had advanced moro than twelve
per cent within the past few weeks, and
there would DO further advance very
soon. "The demand now" added Mr..
Uhlmann, us both active and satisfactory
Tor all kindI, and is great improvement
over recent business. The glass trade
hassufered good deal on account Of the
dullness which has so long prevailed in
the real estate market, aud importers
have been losing money all through Inc
summer. There is a frmer feeling now,
however, and the general Impression is
that the worst Is over and better times
arc ahead. One great grievance with
importers ia tho tariff. There is'a duty
Of from sixty 10 seventy.fye per cent
levied on glaI8, which necessarily com
pelS the article to DO sold here at high
figure; but even at that, il the mode Of col.
Letting the tax were simplifed not only
would more be imported but glass could
then DO sold at a considerable reduction
from present rates. As it is now, con-
sumers have to pay about forty per cent
more than they ought for protecting The
home manufacture, which Is q great In.
justice TO the poorer classes"
Mr.. Msrrener, Of Henry Msrrener &
Ward, importers and manufacturers Of
glass, when questioned, said that business
at present was rather quiet but he shared
in the general anticipation Of better
times. Atpresent however, the inquiry
was not brisk, but with more extended
building operations looked for, there was
every prospect Of good trade.