The Portland daily press., 1893-07-17
THE BUSINESS SITUATION.
What Is Said By Business Men of
Portland.


Speaking of the financial situation as
regards the wooden industry Mr.. Fred
Libby of H. ]. Libby & Co., says:
THE wooden situation is perplexing
question to deal with. There are two
factors--the tariff and the financial
problems-working against the wooden
industries. If it was not for the tariff
outlook we could sell our goods. Our
orders for fall work do not compare with
last year, being two-thirds less. This is
due principally to the tariff and partly
to the financial situation. Merchants are
very cautious in placing orders, being
afraid of reduction in tariff, also not
knowing in what condition their purses
will be when their bills become due.
The uncertainty of the tariff is the prime
cause for not rebuilding our mills at
Welchyille, which were destroyed some
time ago by fire."
When asked his ideas for betterment of
business Mr.. Libby said: Repeal the
Sherman bill by all means. Then decide
the tariff, for it is this unsettled condi-
ton of affairs that is causing trouble. /
hope this uncertainty will be a certainty
one way or another, so we will know
where we stand, and the sooner this is
done the better, as it will give more time
to the wool grower and the manufacturer
to figure.
w. j. Healey, the labor leader, says:
Labor in this vicinity has not received
any direct blow from the tariff or finan-
cial questions, but how soon it will over
take us remains thing of the future.
The tariff, as it now stands, assists the
wealthy more than the poor, for the du-
ties must come from the consumer, If
the tariff was reduced, not to free trade
basis, but where a slight projection was
given to all, it would advance many in
dustries. Industries advanced, the de-
mand for labor will be naturally in
creased. Considerable talk is made con-
corning the reduction of tariff injuring
manufacturing industries. but am I'M
able to see where any disastrous effect
would occur If the Democratic party
lives up to the pledges made then we
will have a change in the tariff. whether
for better, or worse, no one knows.
The tariff has but very slight effect
at present upon the working men of New
England. 1t seems to me that the finan-
cia1 subject should be promptly dealt
with by repeating the Sherman law
Marshall n, Rich, Secretary of the
Board of Trade, says: Although bust
ness is good, manufacturers are more
cautious than ever"
How do the manufacturers look upon
the tariff as it now stands?"
If the duty was taken off from few
articles, such as produce and the like,
the tariff as it now remains would be
satisfactory
Does future legislation have any eff
feet on the output?''
Merchants here believe that there
will be no radical change in the Tariff
Has the tariff affected the lumber in
dustry?''
No. The depression in shipment of
lumber is due to the unsettled condition
of affairs in South America
DO you think the tariff will affect the
wooden business?"
Yes. Probably more than any other
kind of manufacturing.
What manufacturing plants have
closed up shop, due to the, tariff?''
None The only industry here that
has shut its doors is the plush mill. This
was due to the lack of funds, and also to
the lack of confidence in the method of
management, while, on the other hand,
there are manufacturing concerns re-
ceiving large orders, which have com
PEELED their owners to increase their
plants.
1.-THE Eastern Forge Company have
lately expended 100000 in buildings.
boilers and machinery; the Portland
Stoneware Company have doubled the
capacity of their works, and have orders
for over 200 miles of sewer pipe alone.
the W. W. Mitchell Tanning Company
and the Casco Tanning Company have
added to their facto. les; the Owen-Strout
Printing Company, the Lakeside Press
Printing Company, the Maine Electro
type Company, the Goudy & Kent Con
fectionery Company, Thomas
Laughlin Marine Hardware Com
pany, Ell. f. Cox Shoe Company. A.
F. Berry Shoe Company, E. T. Burrowes
Screen Company, Portland Screen Com
pany, r. o. Conant, Gamers machinery:
A. S. Kinds and Century Cream corn,
panies, Glen's Sarsaparillai Company.
Belknap Electric Company, Burnham d
Morrill,, canned goods; Portland Packing
Company, have all made additions to
their plants, due to increased business.
The Forest City Fire Proof Company.
the Casco Paper Box Company and the
Boston Toothpick Company started re-
Gently in business. The Brooks Arms
Company are erecting new buildings. as
they are unable to fill orders with pres
ent quarters.
Most of the above industries con-
tinued Mr.. Rich, ARE manufacturers of
specialties and the tariff does not bear
directly upon them.''
Have any factories reduced their
forces?'
mo. In fact there is a reported in
crease, which is general in some lines at
this time Of year."
Is there any cut in wages?''
mo. Good workmen can command
good wages, and nearly always find en-
ployment here"