Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-31
MAY REDUCE PRICES.
Wire Manufacturers Meet to Discuss
the Condition of Trade.
THEY WILL FORM AN AGREEMENT.
Homestead Steelworksrs Submit to q
Reduction of Wages.
CORKWORKERS WANT AN INCREASE

An important meeting of wire manu-
facturers was held in the office of the Brad
dock Wire Company yesterday.
There had been a meeting of the stock
holders of the Braddock Wire Company,
called for the purpose OF increasing the cap
ital stock from $780, 600 to $500, 600, in order
to conform with change that had been
made IN the st. Louis company. Butwithin
the past few weeks the feeling of a
necessity for having some understanding
with each other in regard to prices has been
growing among the manufacturers Yester-
days meeting was called to discuss this
question, and the meeting of the Braddock
Wire Company's stockholders has been
postponed until after the other manufact-
urers finish their business.
Among those present yesterday were o.
NJ. Gregg, barbed wire manufacturer of
Charlottesville, Ind; {. P. Garvey, of the
Wire Nail Works, Anderson, Ind; j.
r. Ashley, John Lambert and 7. H. Con-
nell, Joliet, H.; B. Crane, Charlottesville,
Ind; j. R. Thomas. Niles, O.. and W. G.
Rose, of Cleveland. George t. Oliver, of
the Oliver & Roberts Wire Company, and
j. G. Gates and w. H. Howe, of the Brad
dock Wire Company, were the local repre-
sentatlves
TWO LONG SESSIONS HELD.
The first session was held at the Monon-
gahela House in the morning. The after
noon meeting was held at the Office of the
Braddock Wire Company, and continued
until nearly O'Clock last evening. Although
the gentlemen present refused to say much
about the object of the meeting, it is stated
upon good authority that the manufacturers
have come together for the purpose of either
reducing the output or decreasing prices.
1t is well known that for some time the wire
industry has been only in fair condition.
Prices have reached such a level that
JobDerS and retailers, who never place their or
ders until after the first of the year have al
ready taken advantage of the prices, and have
given their orders. From this fact alone mills
have been Kept moderately busy. but at the
present rate, it will not be long until they Will
nave nothing to do.
Mr.. Gregg, of Charlottesville, presided at
yesterdays meeting and was seen after it ad-
iourned. He said the manufacturers expected
to be here for two or three days. and nothing
would be given out officially for publication
until they get through. 1t had been reported
that the manufacturers were here for the pur-
pose OF forming trust, but MIR. Gregg denied
this, saying that no such thing had been even
limited at by any of those present.
George t. Oliver was also seen. He said
There is really nothing tina. can be said of the
meeting at present. We are not thinking of
forming a trust or combination of any kind.
We are merely talking over the condition of
trade. and will not arrive at anything definite
for day or two."
CONSIDERING AN AGREEMENT.
From another source it was learned that an
agreement on prices for wire, barbed wire and
wire nails had been presented by one of the
manufacturers for all to sign, and that it is
under consideration. This agreement it ia un-,
derstoOd, contains reduction on some things.
and particularly wire nails, the sale of
which has been hindered somewhat by iron and
steel nails being placed on the market for less
money. For many purposes wire nails are pre-
ferred to any other, but their higher price fire.
quently prevents their use.
Alex. Clark and c. r. Talbot, two agents
from Cincinnati, were at the Monongahela
House last night. They said they had no fear
of trust being formed as the attempt had
been made and failed. They expect an agree
ment to be made on prices, however that will
stim ulate the trade in some way, and make the
industry more profitable tnan it has been for
the past eight months.