Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-13
COMING TO AMERICA.
A Lace Manufacturer Will Transfer
His Interests Here.
LOOKING FOR A SOUTHSIDE SITE
The Tariff Precludes Profit in the Export
ing of the Fabric.
PITTSBURG IS TOO SMOKY TO SUIT

J. Murray Doelen, lace manufacturer of
Nottingham, England, was stopping at the
Monongahela House last night. His native
city is famous for its manufacture Of this
flmy and delicate material, as we'll as
being the city where the story of Lady
Godiva and Peeping Tom had its origin.
Mr.. Doelen is very wealthy, and has given
much time and study to American indus
tries, as well as to watch with interest the
great tariff fight which has just ended in
Ohio, in which the advocate of the protec-
tive issue-Major McKinley-was the win
ner. As consequence of this success, and
the small show which free trade has in the
future regarding the United States importa-
tion of foreign goods, he has determined to
transfer his lace mandatory to the Ameri-
can shores.
The gentleman has just come down from
Cleveland, where he has been looking for a
site upon which he can erect plant. He
is as yet not decided, but intends investi-
eating the country more freely before locat-
ing permanently. Pittsburg is not suita-
BILE for the lace business on account of the
smoke and penetrating dust, which would
ruin the cob-webbed texture even before it
had left the loom.
Forced to Come to America.
Speaking of the matter he said:
''The Mckinley bill has so hampered the
manufacture of common lace curtains that
it is impossible to send the article to this
country with any degree of profit for the
amount expended in making it. After a
general observation into many details at
tendant npon the great English industry, I
find it will be absolutely cheaper to turn it
out here for the retail and jobbing trade
than in England. This seems incredible,
because you. people over here think we
have the advantage of cheaper labor. This
in great measure true, but with
the ingenious devices which have
emanated from the keen mind of
American inventors, the work will be
facilitated without the help of hand labor.
The English, as rule, are slow and dila-
tory in taking kindly to American machin-
cry, and much of it now used over there has
been improved upon time and again by the
enterprising people of this country. who
have their eyes and ears open to any inno-
walton which will benefit t..eir interests.
'In other words, the European, in gener-
al, hesitates to use American machinery of
any character, and, as an instance, there are
Stlll In use une OlO SILK anu lace looLuS VI tuS
pattern in use 200 years ago."
English Capital in the States.
"Do you know" continued Mr.. Doelen,
that your iron industry of the States has a
vast amount of English capital invested in
it? Yes, will venture to say fully one
half of this great manufacture is backed up
by money from the other side. The most
remarkable instance of English sagacity and
forethought is found in Cleveland, where
a nobleman from my country owns the
balance of one of the greatest iron plants in
that community. have just visited Cleve-
land-the Forest City I believe they call
it-and under the very shadow of the Still
man House this extensive mandatory
dominated by Englishmen exists. Money
is cheap and plenty over there,
and don't you think that Johnny Bull
is as eager to grasp a sure thing as his
American cousin. Perhaps we are not SO
daring in speculation, but the song once
heard, It's for money! carries good in
every part of the globe, and especially in
the civilized countries. Large amounts of
French and English capital are quietly
being and have been placed over here, and
there will no doubt be some startling de-
velopments in the manufacturing world on
this side of the water before year or so
rolls around" 4
Mr.. Doelen went to Philadelphia and
other Eastern points last night.