National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-04-08

1t is interesting to note the progress that
has been made in the manufacture of Amer
ican pottery, which industry twenty-five
years ago was confined to few coarse
crooks and heavy yellow ware,
From 1866 to 1850, according to the last
census report, the struggling proprletors of
the potteries then in existence "paid wages
whenever they had enough Of anything to
pay with seldom any money" The same
report states that previous to 1868 the same
works were run only seven months In the
year, and from 1868 to 1870 but ten months
out Of the twelve. How different the state
Of things is to-day few figures of con-
trast will show. As reported by the United
States Potters' Association, there are now
about 275 kins IN operation in this country,
not including the large number employed
by decorated pottery makers. The total
capital employed in the industry is about
SS,000,000, two-thirds Of which is absorbed
in the plants. The amount of wages pail
to the thousands Of pottery hands is placed
at from $4,OOO,OOO to $5,OOO,OOO per annum.
The annual value OF the American pottery
products is over $s,000,0OO.
1t may be argued that this extraordinary
increase is partly due to the equally ex-
traordinary increase Of demand as repre-
sented by this country's marvellous growth
Of population during the past twenty-five
years, and, again, partly to the natural de-
velopment OF the trade, to the better me-
chanical facilities for manufacture, to the
discovery of flint, spar, and clay deposits;
but the main reason Is deeper and broader
than any of these-the industry of Ameri-
can pottery has flourished under the foster
ing care Of protection.
There is one most interesting feature to
be noted In looking over the details OF pot.
terry and chinaware importation. 1t is this:
That Notwithstanding the almost prohibi-
tive tariff on decorative china, porcelai n,
and parian ware, the values Of the imported
goods have risen from $3.50, ,S0i in 1870 to
81 1,l1S,s47 in 1880 and from that to $2,S3i,-
III in 1885. On the other hand the values
OF imported earthen, stone, and crockery
ware have gone down from $3,46l ,52i in
1870 to 1868, ,42l in 1885. The explanation
OF these figures is at once simple and salts
factory. While q most notable advance
has been made in the manufacture OF fine
American pottery, an advance so signal
that 1t calls for further attention, the peo-
pie Of this nation have grown SO rich and
luxurious that the rest Of the world is
actually being despoiled of its art treasures.
In the sale of yellow and Rockingham
ware and the cheapest kind of ware
the position of the domestic potters is en-
tirely secure; while we supply American
customers with what is called "earthen-
waren and with stoneware, they have no
competition whatever. A western manu-
facturer, in speaking on this subject TO
representative of Brddstreet's, said "a $50
decorated American dinner set now re-
places the $3.50 French set of five years
ago.n Another stated that "English
croclSery (earthenware) sold In the United
States ten to fifteen years ago at IS cents
to 371 cents to the shilling, while to-day it
sells at from 10 to 20 cents on the shilling"
Finally, the aggregate admission OF the i'm.
porters Is stated TO be that the competition
among gdomestic manufacturers has reduced
prices 10 to 80 per cent. on plain goods and
more on decorated goods.