Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-11-08

j
he wanted to jump at Rochester and then
quit the business.
MANUFACTURING MELANGE.
the Pen Of "Cold Short"
''Cold Short writes an exceptionally
interesting letter this week to the Age ot
Steel. From it we take the following ex-
tracts:
The burden of the demands for mild steel
is going to remain in this valley; this is
not open to controversy, for Natures laws,
manifestations and benefactors have 50
ordained, and there is no profit to be
gained in splitting hairs over the fact
This upper Ohio Valley has the gas-if
that fails she has the most potent compen-
sating substitute in her coal measures Just
now the most advantageous point for capi-
tal to locate is at Wheeling. She is the
youngest, the freshest, debutante in the
gas belt, and by no means the homliest or
poorest, but in many essentials the most
accomplished and attractive, with
qualities that will endure beyond
the first presentation. There is ample
room there-a rare collection of available
sites-but the first applicants will get the
choice-the reserved seats. There is q
goodly lot of spluttering going on for and
forninst the natural gas, and the benefits
accruing from its use, but the tangible,
patient inducement, nevertheless, per-
sists in presenting itself that competition
is impossible without it. The Abbott
Iron Company, time-honored establish
ment near Baltimore, is closing up its
affairs. 1t was built in 1898, and for years
has transacted very large and profitable
business. Now Pittsburg and Wheeling's
cheap fuel and other advantages haye
driven it out of the trade, as it can not
compete with q shadow of hope of even
holding even. The iron pipe business is
another that seems impregnable against
the ordinary laws of trade The trade is
abnormally large, and inductiyely profit
able, and indicates purpose 10 continue
so, only limited by the vitality Of the
natural gas. This is giving no evidences
of failing or decrepitude, but, on the con-
trary, it is strengthening, and the assur-
ance is beyond suspicion that all through
this territory in West Pennsylvania and
West Virginia this gas exists only await
ing the drill to come into service. As IL
and petroleum increase in development
the pipe business will appreciate. 1t is
coniectured that the demand will be
doubled next year.
While discussing the question Of the
availability of the different lines of manu-
facture for profitable expansion in this dis.
trict, there is one which, while it is prob
ably out of my bailiwick, offers, it is
claimed, ''gilt-edged" inducements, and
that is the pottery business. cannot
explain it just now, for it is n secretiye
kind of business, generally pleads 'in
forma pauperis" when investigated, but
circumstantial evidence is against it, and
the indications are that the margin are
frst-class. Here, again, Wheeling presents
the best opportunity. The business is IN
established one there, and it Is, besides,
the conqueror of the glass business, in
which Wheeling has the foremost reputa-
ton.
Just now capital is very inquisitiye; IL is
seeking investment, and il the duty of the
most prominent technical journals to
counsel them, least some Of the standard
lines should be over-weighted. / will post
myself on this pottery business and give
your readers the result. Natural gas Is
coming3to the front as formidable COM
petitor for Illuminating purposes. The
nrohIar, IN oil oop, m itioo 10 bau tn tra-
vide q cheap substitute for coal gas. The
old methods have worn out their popular
ity by excessive charges, and experiments
are being energetically pushed to develop
the possibilities of natural gas in this direc-
ton; the prospects are said 10 be very en-
couraging. Wheeling's Chamber Of Com.
merce has interviewed Hamilton Disston,
and, while not encouraging them, he left
Pittsburg 10 cogitate over the claims Of the
new aspirant. One break in favor Of Wheel
ing will cause rush in that direction and
upset the phlegm Of the sturdy old cOii-
seryatiyes, and teach them that the worlds
traffic is not commenced, bounded and
ended by nails, spikes and brads.
=
The nail mills about Wheeling are be-
ing operated fully up 10 their capacities,
except the Bellaire, which is making none
at all. They are skimming the steel
cream, and not bothering with the blue
milk at this end. McCortney keeps his
weather eve open. The fact is, however,
that the Bellaire nailers are in revolt
they won't come to the manufacturers
scale. The LaBelle people have not as
yet put IN their new process equipment;
conditions Of the market have not been
opportune for the change.
Henry X. List, Esq, has been elected
president Of the Junction, vice saml
Laughlin, deceased. Mr.. List is one Of
the sagacious, liberal and successful bust
ness men in this valley, and he Is u good
square pilot for any kind Of weather.
The wheeling Steel Works is doing spIen-
didly latterly, turning out pretty close up
to 300 tons daily. This, it is conceded, Is
model plant in mechanical equipment
and appliances