Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-17
A Great Industry.

Most intelligent people of New England who
have the impression that they understand pretty
fully the amount of business which the leading
industries Of this section doing, will be sur
prised or rather astonished at the magn itude OF
the shoe and leather interest as indicated by the
statistics given yesterday in the address incident
to the opening of the Exchange of the New Eng
land Shoe and Leather Association. The RAPID
growth, the great magnitude OF the trade' the
immense army of men and women engaged IN
the manufacture, the vast capital employed ana
other most remarkable features Of the business,
read like a romance, il the term can be applied 10
so real and substantial business.
In 1889 Lynn was the great shoe town Of the
country, but the great value of the goods manu-
featured was less than 100000 per annum. In
1887 the value of the goods manufactured by the
boot and shoe industries of Massachusetts, was
Sl4, 500, 600. In lS45 it had only grown to sl5,-
600, 00o In 1856 the shoe business of Boston
alone amounted to sci, 100000. The annual bus
mess of Boston dealers is estimated at S2OO,0OO-
600. In 1856 there were 2lS wholesale and job
bling boot and shoe and leather dealers in the city.
To-day there are nearly 700 houses engaged in
the business-3ji in boots and shoes, 2lS in leath
err hides, etc., IS in findings aud p in boot and
shoe machinery. In 1922 more than two thirds
of the shoe manufacturers in New England failed,
and in 1923 there was not one ia the country who
was worth $4,000.
The solid business which the leather district in
dictates is ample evidence that the men who are
carving on this great trade and industry are not
in insolvent condition or that their fortunes are
measured by dollars in five figures. The business
has To-Day its banks and its mihonaires. Its lead
ing men justly take rank with the most influential
in business circles and the strongest 10 financial
point of view. Its representatives are among the
honored men Of the nation. Few men In this
country have exerted a more potent or more
healthy influence 10 nstonal politics than Henry
Wilson, and no man has more creditably repre-
| sented the Repubc in foreign court, or done the
country more efficient service in the Cabinet than
| Marshall Jewell. Few men in Massachusetts
have made a more conspicuous or honorable
record as Chief Magistrate than William Cafln.
| In view of the past success and marvellous
growth of this great business in New England,
| for which Boston is the centre, the members of
| the New England Shoe and Leather Association
have the most abundant cause for congratulation.
| Even the youngest active member must regard
the growth of the business measured by the iDfal-
| lSle standard of statistics as almost a
miracle. The whole business has been reyolu-
tionized. Production has been multiplied by ma
chinery, organized effort has perfected the means
of putting the goods upon the market, and the
energy and skill Of our New England men are
fast making this great industry and trade dstinc-
lively a New England enterprise.
The opening of the commodious Exchange marks
new era in the business. The men who are car
rying 1t forward have been together and COM
pared notes. They have discussed the situation
and canvassed the field in order to find new open
ings for the products Of their increasing business.
They have in effect declared that Now England
can supply the world with understanding" and
and Bedford streets is the headquarters of the
boot shoe and leather trade in this country
ton journal.