The New York herald., 1878-12-04
THE PoTTERs.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PoTTERs AssocIA-
TIoS-REcoED or THE PAST yEAR-pEMAND
FOR a BETTER CLASS OF GOODS.
TRENTON, Dec 8, 1873
The fifth annual convention of the United States
Potters' Association opened in the American
House in this city to-day. President T. G. Smith Of
Grecnpont, n. ". occupied the chair. The following
firms were represented Maddox e. CO., Coxon Is
Co., East Trenton Pottery Company City Pottery
Company. Isaac Davis. William Youngs Sons, Mercer
Pottery Company. American Crockery Company. Glas-
Cow Pottery Company. OFT h Brewer. Joseph II.
Moore, Richard MiiLngton, all Of Trenton.
aud vodrey &. Brother. Brunt, Bloor Martin 4 Co; !;
Manly. Cartwright Co.; G. G. Thompson Co.,
West. Hardwich Co.; william Brunt, Jr. & Co;
Kns wles,- Taylor s. Knowles; Wiley Sons. Agner,
Fonlts Co.. G. s. Harker Co., Goodwin Flinkc,
Goodwin Brothers and Homer Laughlin. all of East
Liverpool, Ohio and George Scott Frederick Dallas
and Tempest. Brockman 4 Co.. all Of Cincinnati;
Onondaga Pottery Company. Goodies, N. r.. Thomas
c. Smith l. Sons, Union Porcelane Works. Green
point n. Y: J. f. Jedtards Co.. Philadelphia. Pa; ;
ania China Works. Morrisanis, N. y, and Morley 4
Co., Wellsville. Ohio.
1t was decided to hold the convention with closed
doors. Mr.. Maddox chairman Of the Trenton COM
mittee reception Of visiting potters. stated the
programme and welcomed the potters to the hospi-
tslites OF the city.
READING THE ANNUAL REPORT.
Mr. J. Hart Brewer, secretary. then read his annual
report. Among other things he said:-
To the language Of the annual trade review in
the Staorishire Scntnei Of the English trade
line can say:
Generally speaking ths year has great
good one II is not by the body Of manufacturers
looked upon the worst on record.
The quantity Of goods manufactured and sold in
the United States in 1878. estimate will be in
of any former year. So far ability to keep
steadily at work is concerned We may consider our
i,a1u ~ tha al in the
employees share with us this favor). There are many
why this singular state Of affairs is pre-
sented in this industry among so many other
depressed branches Of manufactures and among so
general stagnation of business. The main reason
why we present this exception is because the busi-
is not yet overdone far as our homo wants
are concerned, and because the usual demand for
foreign goods has been lesscned in consequence Of
the hard and the inability Of dealers to carry
large stocks and their fear to order goods . long
time ahead they had formerly done in hmsh
tmesa perfect manifestation Of the old adagc. 'Is
i'll wind that blows nobody good Another
rcason--thc Centennial Exhibition caused new class
of trade among small dealers to seek out. and to
certain extent trade has been increased In this
way. We have also of necessity been stimulated to
greater effort in selling wares and in the improve
ment Of quality and shapes.
The reasons why the business from commercial
point of view has not been good ono is because
have reduced the selling price Of our goods about ten
per cent; the same time have been forced 10 i'm
prove the qusty and selection thereby adding to tho
cost price vt least per cent additional. We have
been assisted somewhat in declining prices of raw
thankful these times for such state Of affairs,
the inevitable conclusion must bring us TO the
adoption Of one of two thinxs-a reluc-
ton OF labor and Of material
advance in the selling prices Of our goods. In view OF
tho improving business outlook. the latter course
seems to the most desirable, and in my opinion
could be- brought about ut no distant day.
KEEPING UP PRICES.
While the association had no combination on selling
prices. IL IL somewhat gratifying to know thAt prices
have been well nsintaincd rs they have. How
ever whereas business like is not'o ovcrdonc. 1t
in an easy matter to maintain prices when every
deviation causes loss 10 tna seller. or iii
the language of one OF our manufacturers, '.when
manufactures cuts prices he cuts blood" so long
rules and regulations do not permit the intro
ducton OF either ths question OF selling working
prices world submit that IL Is Of tho most vital in
portanco that each manufacturer act cautiously. hon
orably and in accordance with the general under
standing In both IL IL most gratfyin to
notice, however all sides and among all branches of
the trade in the United States that Rockingham gran
ite snd china show marked improvement Ia the
style and finish Of their productions disposition to
own designing. The general demand on NIL sides for
n more delicate and refined production Is manifest.
Fashion to baye decrced such change ncccs.
sory, and the potcrs, like all other men, begin 20
pandor to tho fancy Of this decree This latter idea IN
most noticeable and speaks volumes for the future
improvement and development of this great industry.
The report was approved and ordered printed IN
iso the minutes. In tho afternoon brief session
held, when committee OH nominations sp-
pointed. The Convention will continue la session
until next Thursday afternoon, when the proceedings
will DO wound mp with grand banquet at which
Governor Mcclellan and other notabities will bc