The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-06-27
WALKS AND TALKS
With the Manufacturers. Bankers and Mer-
chants of Lambertville.
A RECORD REPORTER WRITES or MEN AND
THINGS AS HE FINDS THEN.


One day recently THE RECORD reporter
availed himself of the opportunity to learn
something in addition to that already
published concerning the paper manu-
facturers of Lambertville. So, to-day,
we find more or less to write about
McDO WELL 6 SON,
proprietors of the Centennial Mills.
The name somewhat indicates the length
of time the works have been in operation.
They were built by VIM. II. Gandey &
Co., in 1876, 1.-THE "Co.n being Mr.. r
McDowelD and from July to November
were operated by that firm. In Novem-
Der, 1876, Mr.. Gandey retired, and Mr.. J :,
w. Mcdowell became partner with his
father under the present style.
Right here, at the very outset of this
article, we may say that the paper max.
ing industry Of the country, as it now is,
is not one that any honest, truthful writ
er can refer to in terms that would imply
satisfactory condition of the market.
Nor have any of the manufacturers we
have met in Lambertville attempted to
convey Gus the impression that business
was all that they could hope for To IL
lustrate; here is the substance of con-
yersation we recently held with Mr.. J. w.
Mcdowell, and those who know him are
aware that he is not an alarmist, and also
that he is not disposed to represent mat
tiers as being worse or better than they
are: 'How Is trade 2" we asked The
reply was to the effect that while the
mills had little or no difficulty in market
ing all its product, yet, honestly aud fair
ly considered, the status of affairs was far
from being satisfactory, or even up to
what might be termed very moderate ex-
pectations.
"But how are prices-what do you
think of the prospect -
'sPrices," said Mr.. Mcdowell, ''are not
favorable to manufacturers. To illus
trate--last year was profitable one for
the paper making industry, and this year
we are selling goods at prices averaging
one cent per pound less than last year,
while cost of raw material has been di-
minished but about half cent per pound.
Cost of labor and other expenses remain
yourself what a Bonanza paper making is
under these circumstances.
"What is the cause of these low prices %
why, what can be the cause except over
production. We can better afford to
operate our mill than to let it remain idle.
and we can thus give employment to labor
and also be in position to take advantage
of any favorable change in the condition
of affairs"
Now these remarks appeared to be full
Of common sense, and we reproduce them
in this connection simply because so many
otherwise well informed people fancy that
there is fortune in paper mill. So
there is in one sense of the term. 1t re-
quires fortune to equip one, and it re-
quires another to run one.
When the Centennial Mills were first
started their production was 3, 1000 pounds
of paper per day. Since then the capaci.
ty has been doubled, and the daily out
put is now about three tons. Nothing
but MANILA wrapping papers are made,
the number of sizes of sheets being 500
or more while the weight ranges all the
way from eighteen pounds per ream (4S0
| sheets to 100 pounds per ream. The raw
material consumed is jute rope and .jute
butts, bought by the firm from importers,
who in turn, rely upon Calcutta and other
points in India for their supplies. In the
processes of converting this jjute into paper
certain other material is used-no ably
alum and chloride of lime, but in what
proportion we do not know. We were
surprised, however To learn that the
/ shrinkage as between the weight of the
| raw.material and of the finished product
i WAS from 90 to 80 Der cent
! We have said that the production Of the
/ Centennial Mills was about 5000 pounds
or three tons per day. We desired to
know the market for these goods.
Mr.. Mcdowell, DR., who had thus far
patiently undergone the inlliction of an
interview, inhaled fresh breath and
answered ''Our market is almost wholly
in New York and Boston, though we do
sell some goods in Philadelphia and other
cities. We are our own agents" That
statement disclosed the fact that Mr..
Mcdowell, in the capacity Of general man
ager is compelled to be away from home
considerable portion OF the time, and it
is certain that his duties as buyer and
seller are anything but easy.
! The mills are built of brick and frame,
and are operated by both water aud steam
! power, Il 150-horse power Corliss engine
]
and 75-horse power Lefl'ell turbine
wheel being in place. Among other ma
chinery we note four 500 pound rag en-
gines, one 200 pound washing engine
and one 86-inch Tourdinier machine As
a matter of course the other equipments
are in keeping, and in ali that goes to
render a mill first class the Centennial
Mill lacks nothing.
The goods made are all straight, ' and
command the highest market price. But
concerning them the trade is better post
ed than we.
The co-partDers in the mill are we'll
known citizens of Lambertville. The
senior of the firm, Mr.. X. Mcdowell is
Master Mechanic i'll the railroad shops here
and also Director in the Amwell Ma
tional Bank. He is a native Of Pbladel-
phia, though he came here from Trenton,
and he has now been associated with the
road for nearly or quite 30 years. His
son and partner is also Philadelphia
for ten or twelve years was with the rail-
road company and afterwards, until en-
gaging in his present business was in the
hardware trade here. Both father and
sou are to be reckoned as among our
prominent citizens, and THE RECORD cor
daily wishes them the best of good luck
in the prosecution of their paper making
industry.