The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-14

this busy manufacturing CI'y Va wv
lines OF the Eric railroad he would not
be apt to think, unless he had been
previously informed, that in the tall
six story building on the north sido OF
the tracks, midway between the two
dopots, is probably one OF the most eS-
tensive plants in the country for the
printing OF silks, out such, neYcrIho-
less, ia the fact, and its tireles5 machine
erv was first started when the passage
OF the Mckinley bill was assured. For
wears the printed silks used in this
country we're not only woven abroad,
but printed abroad as well, it being
from France, tho greatest producer oil
such goods, that We received our sup
ply. It was not alone the TACT that
France supplied our market that began
TO excite the public interest," but
rather the fact that in supplying 1t
she held undisputed possession, being
without a single competitor in America.
This condition OF affairs, combined
with the quality OF tho foreign goods,
and tho price at which such goods
could be imported and placed upon the
shelves and counters Of American
store, and sold 10 American consumers,
made it Il doubtful! undertaking TO com.
prte with surl. M old and long es;ab-
fished industry rs that OF the printing
of silks in France. Yet, doubtful rs the
undertaking was, u icw manufacturers
who believed that domestic goods could
DO produced in quality equal to the I'M
ported, started the industry. Bus alter
years OF work and at the expense oil
thousands OF dollars to provide ma
chinery that would do the work pre-
viously done abroad by hand, so rs TO
reduce the cost OF production rs nearly
as possible to that OF the foreign goods,
the venture proved OF little avail, for
in the American market the French
article seemed almost as common rs
ever.
In addition to the difference in the
cost OF production in favor OF the Tor
eiGn silks, there was another aud greater
obstacle in the then universal reputa-
ton OF the imported goods. 1t will be
seen upon q careful examination OF the
facts us they then existed that such
reputation was not ut that time gained
because OF the superior excellence OF
such goods, but simply because the en-
tire absence OF any competition whatso-
ever that would bring out its compara-
tive worth and value. Therefore the
statement that the French silks would
give better satisfaction and be the most
trustworthy purchase a lady could make
when first opposed to goods OF Amer
lean manufacture was altogether un-
merited. Such statements as the above,
emanating US they did from retailers,
who, carving full stock OF foreign
good s, feared that they would be unable
to rid themselves OF their surplus profit
ably, we're not void OF results, and as
consequence, the public favor at time
when it might have easily been turned
toward domestic goods, remained loyal
to the French. Matters remained thus
until the weaving OF silk in this coun-
try had taken root, and domestic plain
silk found favor and sold readily over
the same counters with the foreign
silks. This advance made in the public
confidence materially aided the strug-
Cling silk printers, but not enough to
enable them to compete sufficiently to
induce others to join them in the busi-
ness. Lately the possibilities OF the
field commended themselves to Repub-
lican legislators, and at their hands the
industry was aided, and the large adj
vances made in all departments OF the
work can but voice the wisdom OF such
legislation. Clearly it is to this Nc
Kinley bill that the people Of Middle.
town owe the establishment OF the
Columbia Print and Dye Works within
their limits, and the employment by
them OF over half hundred hands at
wages far in advance OF those paid
abroad for severer degree Of labor.
Mr.. Hutchinson, tho genial superin-
terdent, said TO me: "This industry is
Just getting firmly upon its feet and
under the protective tariff is making
rapid strides, and now we can hope to
compete with the French. It is true,
as you say, that there are very few IN
the business yet, for it is broGght to its
present high degree Of perfection only
after years Of experience, 30 YOU sAo We
owe something alter all 20 those who
early began the business. Blu: The ma.
chinery which you see here is among
the finest plants in tho world. 1t Is
sensitive TO the smallest turn OF screw,
as it must needs be, lnasmuch rs it has
to allow for the stretching OF the silk as
il passes under the rollers. But tho in.
genious Hankee is encouraged in the
creating OF such machines when he
knows that ne is to be protected in
their outpCs.
1--WE nov print" he added, stepping
up TO one Of the machines, six and
eight colors at time on single ma.
chine. OF course there are other
machines that print more, some rs high
as twenty, but experience has demon.
stratod that they arc not practicable.
We do the same work on our six or
eight color machines. When We want
TO print moro than eight colors we sub.
iect the goods, after printing, to q steam
bath that lightens or deepens the colors
according TO tho temperature OF the
steam, or togivc that undergraduates
shaded effect we print several ,colors
over each other and thus arrive at tho
Same result with minimum OF risk in
damaging tho goods. l tell you this to
show YOU what We are capable OF doing
when wo have chance to make goods
probably. Tho quality OF our work
has become SO well recognized that we
arc unable to fill our orders and at
present and for some time past we have
been running into the night. Our
machinery is often kept running for
thirteen hours. That is something to
be proud OF, and good record, consider.
ing the short time the bill has been in
operation"
"About how much can you at tho