Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1893-02-24
MAKING LACE PAPER.
MINNEAPOLIS HAS THE ONLY FAC
TORY or THE KIND HERE.

How New Industry In which Germany
ExceIs Came to he Established In This
Country-As Yet IL IL In Its Infancy.
Nice Work For Women.
Minneapolis can claim a monopoly in
at least one industry. There is none like
1t in the country. Germany is the near
est competitor. The lace paper factory
here is the only onein the country. How
the industry came to be established
here and the development of certain
possibilities in regard to it make quite
an original story
A certain business man tolerably well
known in Minneapolis once upon a time
loaned some money and material to a
Russian immigrant who was trying to
start greenhouse in st. Paul. The flo
rist was very grateful for the help, but at
the end of six months had not repaid any
of the loan. The business man hunted
him up and inquired wherefore this neg
ligence. The florist explained his difficult
ties at some length, and sorrowfully
averred that in addition to other bur-
dens he had to support his brother.
why doesn't your brother go to
work.
Pardon, sir. He is honest and indus
trious, but can find no work at his trade"
What trade can that bef"
He is a lace paper maker and there
are are no factories Of that sort here, and
he has not much chance at other trades
where he has no skill"
An interview with the paper maker re-
vealed some interesting facts, and after
some investigation several Minneapolis
capitalists concluded to start factory
to evolve the dainty confections that
modern ingenuity says may be made
from paper The industry is still so new
that its present condition may be re-
garded as only an earnest of the future.
The fad for fancy lamp shades makes
a special department which was not at
FIRST contemplated. Grape paper devel-
ops in all the soft, dainty sheen of silk.
Women are specially good authis branch
Of the industry, as 1t requires patience
and that peculiar "knack" which no man
ever had, and the woman who possesses
II is luckier than II she had beauty.
though she never thinks so herself.
Now, this business Of making lamp
shades and flower pots and paper flowers
and dolls Is light, clean work and pays
well II n woman has the bent for that
kind Of work
The prettiest lamp shades ever saw
were being made at the factory. The
tobacco leaf forms the latest model
Two contrasting shades Of Grape paper
form the leaf IL Ia cut In the proper
shape, and delicate wire forms the mid
rib Of the leaf and makes the shade sub
gtantial enough TO stand wear. Four
long leaves and four shorter ones droop
from common center and make the
daintiest shade imaginable. saw tiny
one OF this same pattern for an incan-
descent light. The red leaves were lined
with pale yellow, and how the electric
light did glow through the blended col
orsl A skillful workwoman can only
construct four or Eve Of these shades q
day. Their price consequently doesn't
exactly bring them within the reach Of
all. but they promise TO largely take the
place Of silk and illusion. The operative
earns from e9 10 $40 a week IN the shade
department.
Lace paper for lining the edges Of
boxes really forms the important part
Of this industry. Look at bit Of this
dainty paper and see how faithfully IL
reproduces every thread Of the lace from
which It Is copied. When people are
told that these delicate patterns are
stamped from engraved metal plates,
they are apt TO look incrednlous. Still
that IL tho process.
For many years Germany has con-
trolled this industry. The consul at
Berlin In bis last annual report states
that 2 7,00O,0 900 pounds Of lace paper are
exported annually to the United States
One fine day good fortune befell the
industry. A man came in and asked for
employment He was designer and
engrayer Of plates from Germany. He
declined to give any information as to
how be knew the factory was in Mime
apolis or why he came. He simply said
they could try his work, and If they were
satisfied he would stay. He has re-
mained ever since. I saw him several
times and didn't wonder that there was
some hesitsncy about engaging him. he
weighs about 925 pounds. The face Is
intelligent and refined, but the bushy
beald and long hair, combined with the
muscular frame. give the man the ap-
pearance Of one used to vigorous manual
labor. Appearances are deceptive IN this
case, for he IL az artist - wei as an en-
gravsr, and knows every detail Of the
business
He first sketches the design On paper.
then takes . block Of lead composition.
similar 70 that used for newspaper cuts.
and draws the exact pattern with sharp