Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-01-04
A PERMANENT FAIR.
The PROPOSED BUYERS EXCHANGE AND
WHAT IT MEANS FOR WHEELING.
Mr.. C. ". Franzhsim Talks About the Origin, Ad-
vantagss and Prospects for Establishing
Sample Rooms Here.

The meeting OF representatives VI lno
glass, crockery, and lamp and stamping
interests Of this vicinity, at the Cham
Der of Commerce Saturday evening, has
created considerable interest, because
of the benefit to be derived by the city
in case the plans are carried out, and
because the proposed exchange will be
the first permanent institution OF its kind
in this country. In foreign countries,
notably in Germany and Austria, an
nual fairs are held at some centrally To-
Gated city, az which samples are shown
of the products of all the manufactures
in each line, throughout the kingdom.
In New York city, at the Astor House,
| samples OF china, crockery and glass
are shown by the Trenton potteries and
Eastern glass factories throughout the
year, but the display is not permanent,
| and does not embrace such variety OF
products as will be shown at the pro-
posed buyers exchange in this city.
A REGISTER representative had talk
| Yesterday with Mr.. Chas. w. Franz
helm, President of the Warwick Pottery
! Company, who was one OF the first gen.
tlemen interested in the project. "The
| idea OF establishing buyers exchange
| in this CITY," said Mr.. FranZheim, was
| first agitated last summer, the inten-
| ton being to have everything in read
ness for the spring season, but this was
| found to be impossible, as some OF the
factories had already made arrange
/ 90 nvhihft fhnir OnnHS the
Monongahela House in Pittsburg. Prior
to six years ago it was not customary
for manufacturers TO leave the
city to show their samples
as the line of ware manufactured
in this vicinity, was so comprehensive
and of such great variety that Wheeling
was sufficiently attractive point for
buyers from all sections Of the country.
Several factories were started up with
in a radius Of twenty-five miles OF
Wheeling, and it became necessary Tor
the outside factories to get to some CEN
trail point to catch the trade. For sew
eral seasons they came to Wheeling,
and sample rooms were opened at the
Mcclure House. The Northwood, Buck
eve, and Elson in Martins Ferry, and
the Belmont and Etna factories In Bel
laire, to make it more convenient for
buyers, located sample rooms In this
city. For various reasons this
was unsatisfactory to outside con-
Germs, and several years ago,
the Buckeye went to Pittsburg
and the others fell In line. The
Riverside, Of WellSburg, came to Wheel
ing for two seasons atterward, but ind
ing that the bulk Of the trade did not
come to this city, also went to Pittsburg.
Hobbs and the Central sactorieS, how
ever, did not leave the city, land we still
received fair share of the trade. One
season, when all the factories had sam
pie rooms at the Mcclure, over one hun
dred OF the most prominent jobbers,
from every State in the Union, came to
Wheeling to buy, and this city proba-
bly, Jared better than Plttsburg."
"What are the special advantages to
be derived by displaying samples in this
city?" was asked.
"Siuce Hobbs and the Central factor
ies Joined the United States Glass Com
pany, and all the samples are shown In
Pittsburg, IL took away all the glass
! buyers from this city, and IL became an
absolute necessity fer the other interests
to take some steps toward inducing
! buyers TO come TO Wheeling. Last year
there were 2S firms represented in Pitts
burg. There will be about Is firms rep
resented in the proposed exchange, at
the start, and IL is expected that factor
| les in the Ohio towns will come to this
city in preference to Pittsburg. The
product of the local factories is so d.
versifed, embracing such q great va
riety of articles and novelties manufac-
tured in no other section Of the coun-
try, that Wheeling can be made
a more attractive point for buyers than
| Pittsburg. At any rate buyers from
| the West, passing through PittSburg,
cannot afford to pass Wheeling. tx
perience proves, too, that it is always
easier to sell at the factory, than on the
road. The sample rooms will be under
the direct control of the different fac
tories, and they will be at less expense
| in showing their wares. 1t will also be
a benefit to the buyer, as he can trans
act all his business in half the time, and
will not be compelled TO spend several
DAYS, in skipping around among the
| different concerns. Besides this, 1t will
be a great advertisement for Wheeling,
aud will add to her prestage as manu-
featuring center"
"How about the arrangement OF the
building" suggested the REGISTER man.
Gas stated in the REGISTER this
morning there will be one building de-
voted to the purpose. The selection of
rooms, with regard to size and location,
will be left TO the individual factories,
| and each will bear the expense OF its
own room or rooms. Then there will
be another room to be used for the en-
tertainment of buyers and as waiting
room and office. Most Of the buyers
will come in January and February and
July and August, but each week
throughout the year one or more buyers
visit the city, so the rooms will be open
the year around. ALI the officials who
have been spoken TO in regard to the
project are enthusiastically in favar of
| il, and it is bound 10 be a success. The
only thing which remains is to deter.
| mine upon suitable building"