The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-04
THE CUT NAIL TRADE.
All Admit that it is in Unsatis-
factory Condition.
WHEN WILL 1T GET BETTER2
Interesting Expressions ON the Sub
ject by Wheeling Manufactur-
crs, and Views of Promi-
ncnt Men Elsewhere.

Recently the expressions of cut nail
manufacturers in all parts Of the coun-
try were invited on the cut nail trade,
aud the cause of its unsatisfactory con-
dition. Says the st. Louis Age Of Steel,
which invited the expressions:
The president OF one OF the leading
companies at Wheeling, W. Va, writes:
"The main trouble in the nail market
grows out OF the lack OF confidence be-
tween the various manufacturers OF cut
nails. This, coupled with the over.pro-
duction has tended to reduce the selling
price OF steel nails to point considers
bly below cost. Another element that
should take n conspicuous place in the
present demoralized' condition is the
growing evil-the broker-whose anS.
iety TO do business causes him to adopt
unbusinesslike methods. We have no
cure-all to recommend; are turning out
our usual quantity, being upwards Of
10, 900 kegs per week, and expect our
aggregate sales for 1883 to reach the
highest point they have touched for
several year," -,
The secretary OF a Wheeling COM
pany comments on our questions as fol-
lows: "What is the matter with the
cut nail market?' It's all right-over-
production. The manufacturers arenot
satisfied with the present condition.
Why don't they remedy 1t by onrtailing
production instead OF trying to exceed
their capacity and hunting the lowest
figure that will take the business? Com
petition is lively, prices low, demand
light, profits reduced to minimum
Correct, except us to profits, for which
YOU should write losses great No I'M:
proyement likely to occur in the near
inture. Wire nails Oil at least half the
requirements for nails in the Western
market"
A Pittsburgh manufacturer says the
trouble is due to oyer-production and
the competition OF wire nails; the only
remedy is an increase OF the consump-
ton, which he hopes to see next year,
as he thinks that building operations
and improvements OF every description
will be brought about by the settlement
OF the tariff question in the last election.
There is also evidence now OF vdst I'M
proyements and betterments contem-
plated next year by the railroads OF the
country, AMI the consumption of this
one industry will be so large in the near
future that rcmunerative prices will be
obtained by manufacturers Of steel aud
iron products, and necessarily OF other
products entering into the consumption
ot railr0ads,
Gen. Powell, OF BellevIIic, ILL.,, writes;
"The main cause OF the present unre-
munerative status OF the nail market is
found in the total absence ofall cooper
alton between the manufacturers in the
West since 1886. The divergence be-
tween the cost OF labor in the Eastern
and Western States together with the
equalization OF freights either by ocean,
gull or rail, on the products ef the At
lantic Association to within mere triie
OF difference from the factories embraced
in the Western Nail Association, into all
the principal great Western nail markets,
forced hpon 'the Western Nail Asso-
citation the great nailefs' strike
that began June !, 1888, and that con-
tiruo1 ar t"Alve months, In the West
ern mil Association territory, with the
execution OF some few mills. During
this TING the supply fell Jar below the
demand, causing On Advance 2 nalls
from 81 D5 card rate, June |, 1859, TO
50 70 card, in October following; which
induced the working OF every machine
in the Atlantic Association that had lain
idle for wears, and the building OF sew
eral new wire nail factories, augmenting
largely the actual productive capacity
when in work. The result was very
largely increased productive capacity,
fnllv 30 per Gent in excess Of actual con-
sumptiye demand. Hence, since the
spring of 1885 the present policy ofnon-
corporation, either in production or
price, has ruled, and induced the ruin:
Gus system OF the survival OF the tlttest,
causing the demorliazed condition Of
the mil market throughout the States.
I'm my Judgment it will take ten
wears at least for the growth oil this
country, based upon the increase OF pop
ulation and corresponding increase in
all interests during the past ten years, to
oyertake and equalizc the demand for
nails to the present productive capacity,
provided no additional mil machinery
Is put in operation in the nextteh years.
ain freq to express gs my opinion, that
the demand for nails iof some years to
come will be go much below the full
capacity OF production now ready in
twenty.four hours notice, that it will OF
necessity require some system OF gen.
eral cooperation on the part OF all nail
manuiacturerg that will equalize
the supply t6'"the demand to
prevent further loss, or TO even
afford small margin on nails. !
eau SEQ no good re2stn why the nail
market Mt present should not afford
firm g % card for nails, in comparison
with all other manufactured products.
And l fail to see or know Of any reason
why firm 50 % card Go. b. mill East or
West, could not be maintained through
the honest and hearty cooperation OF all
manufacturers in the matter OF regulat-
ing the supply to the demand; the es-
Enlistment Of general agencies, the
division OF territory, all subject to the
submission Of a board under the control
otthc Eastern aud Western associations.
Unless something of this. character is
adopted there cannot be any relief to the
present rqinons condition Of the nail
trade.P
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