Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-05-21
PLATE MEN ORGANIZE.
A Representation of 100000 Tons
Annually at the Meeting.
HOW THE TARIFF LOWERED PRICES
Twelve Piants Claimed to Be Under Con.
struction at Present,
WITH A HALF DOZEN MORE TO FOLLOW

After all the talk, denials and exaggera
tions q men claiming to be manufacturers
| of tin plate in the present and prospective
met at the Anderson yesterday and formed
an association. 1t now looks as if this much
discussed product will be made in America
| after all.
| The organization was completed by the
election of j. W. Britton, of Cleveland, Pres
ident; John 2. Speer, of Shoenberger & Co.,
Vice President; Warner Arms, Niles,
Secretary, and Alfred Marshall, OF
Philadelphia, Treasurer. OF the q
firms represented, are now max
ing tin plate on small scale.
| Some of these are the st. Louis Stamping
| Company, Norton Bros, of Chicago; United
States Tin Plate Company and the Pittsburg
| Electro Plating Company, of which p. III.
| Laufman is Chairman. Manufacturers of
billets were also admitted, as the tin plate
men are dependent upon them. From the
testimony given it was learned that about II
tin plate plants are actually under construc-
ton in the country, and some of them will
be ready to make the plate about September
!. A constitution and bylaws were adopted,
and for the present Cleveland will be head
quarters. A central location is desired, and
1t is possible Pittsburg will be selected,
though Wheeling is making strong claims.
What the Association VIII Do.
The object of the association was defined
to be to secure unity of action among the
manufacturers of tin and terne plates in
America, and to overcome the difficulties
and utilize the advantages mutually offered
In establishing permanent business in the
country. 1t was decided to hold the next
meeting here June II. Specimens of tin from
the Black Hills, California and Virginia were
exhibited, and it was claimed that in all
these places tin was found in paying quanti-
ties, thus refuting the statements made that
tin ore was an unknown quantity in the
United States.
P. II. Laufman, of Pittsburg, said that q
capacity of co. 900 tons per annum was repre-
100000 tons annually at the gathering here
yesterday. 1t was reported that two new
plants have been commenced at Philadel-
Phia and TT three ire more at points in Ohio,
in the United States yearly, and
the American manufacturers, as soon
ns make they can get to going smovnt %,
leaving large margin in the market for
others to jump in. Mr.. Laufman said that
his company at Apollo could make tin plate
in spite of the tariff. He says as soon as the
tariff was cut down, ten years ago,and forced
many makers into bankruptcy, the foreign
ers put up the price about 81 80 per box:
When the Mckinley bill was passed, and
shtllings and made great noise, to scare
Americans out of the business; but they are
nous easily frightened.
Tariff Has Reduced the Price.
The Apollo concern is now making 40
boxes of plate per day, which they are sell
ing for SIG 80 per box. The original rate was
$2l, and Mr.. Laufman adds that this only
shows how the tariff has already reduced
the price. He also guarantees a better quail
ity, and points to the foreign terne plate on
the Court House, which is now worn out
after three years use. He claims his plate
would last 20 years.
A short meeting was held last evening. |
Mr. Cronemyer made speech about a re- |
classification of plates which will be more |
serviceable. He was requested with others |
to put his ideas in writing and present them |
at the next gathering. The firms repre- |
sented yesterday were the st. Louis Stamp |
ing Company, Norton Bros, Chicago; |
Standard Iron Company, Bridgeport; |
Etna Iron and Steel Company, |
Bellaire Nail Works, Somers Bros, Brook |
lyn; Jennings Bros & Co., Pittsburg; Lewis |
Steel Sheet and Tin Plate Co., Joliet; Falcon
Iron and Nail Co., Niles; Mccullough Iron
Co, Philadelphia; Arathusa Iron works,
New Castle; Fleming & Hamilton, Pittsburg;
United States Iron and Tin Plate Co., Mar.
shall Bros. & Co., Scottdale Iron and Steel |
Co., Shoenberger & Co., Reeves Iron Co.,
Canal Dover; Joseph Corns & Son, Massillon;
Welsh-American Tin Plate Co., Philadelphia;
Piqua Rolling Co., W. Devices Wood & Co., |
Wellsville Plate and Sheet Iron Co., Pitts
burg Electro Plating Co., Apollo.