The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-07
SCRANTON'S INDUSTRY TO Define BUSINESS
Report Of the Board Of Trade Secretary Says
Business Is slightly Affected,
MONEY DEPRESSION Was FELT
Did Not Suffer Like Other Cities,
But Hard Times We're Visible
None of the Banks AHected-Board
OF Trade Been an important Factor
in Developing the CitY-Culm Econ
ANN

omy ......
The report Of the secretary of the
Scranton board Of trade for 1898, ii,
w. Kingsbury, was issued yesterday
and Notwithstanding the financial do
preston, business crisis and stringency
of the money market. shows favor
able condition of business hero during
the year past.
The following extracts of the report
will prove interesting:
Happily, Scranton did not suffer to 10
great an extent as other cities but the dis.
astrous effects of the hard times wero
plainly visible in decreased business, aud
apprehension as to the futnre. some of
our largest interests suffered partial
paralysis Of business, notably, the iron and
steel works. Oar silk mills were shut
down. or run on short time with about
two-thirds less help than ordinary.
Through the efforts Of our various chNrl-
table organizations, and the cheerful
givers among our most fortunate citizens,
much was done to alleviate tho wants OF
those thrown out OF employment Onr
miaing interests alone show an increase
III production.
FINANCES SOUND.
A marked feature in the general depreS,
sion OF business here Is the few failures
that have occurred among Scranton busi-
ness housoL aud these vera mostly OF n
minor character. Not ono of our hanks or
banking houses were affected They all
passed through the panic without trouble,
aud were fully able to meet all demands,
| made upon them. The currency famine
was OF short duration, and ON Dec, 30 ON
| banks showed deposits OF SlO, 5259!S. Tht
| collieries within the city limits Jan. ID
were working full time or nearly 50. They
produced during tha year 1913, 2Sl4,3ls
| gross tons Of coal and gave employment tC
| 6,9ll men.
The Scranton Fraction company, under
| the able general management et Mr.. ii. IL
| Archer. has made rapid strides during the
past year 1t is now operating thirty
miles or electric roads within the city
| limits, and six miles of suburban roads
| 1t also has franchises for fifteen milea more
within the city limits. 1t is also the lessor
and operator OF the Scranton and Carbon
dale and Scranton and pittston systems
| During the year 1893 $500, 900 have been eX
pended by this company in improvements
| The gross receipts for 1893 exceeded thos'
| of 1891! "a : per cent. After paying inter
est on 5000, OU0 Peoples Street Railway
per cent. bonds, rentals, taxes, operating
expenses and six months interest on S1ol,
900 Scranton Traction company bonds, /
shows surplus of Sl2 SS7 for the 81,
months ending October 3lSt. The ticke
transfer system, three cents fare fo
working people and reduced rate schoo
tickets have proven popular aud success
| fNNa fnr aati
mated at $500, 600.
Building Inspector John Nelson fur
nished data showing that IN 1898 wer
erected 2O9 dwellings. 40 OF which wer
double, % stores and lO9 other structure
at an aggregate cost Of S1S2, 3l0, As com
pared with 1892 this shows decrease 0
Sl79 0O0.
Past experience has fully demonstrate
the usefulness, in the greater development
Of our city, of this organization, composed
of able representative business men aliv
to the city's interests and foremost in al
that tends to her prosperity. Its genera
work has been somewhat impeded By tn
pressure of hard times during the pas
year, but there is no reason for discour
agement.
During the past year we have strong
aud conscentiously advocated union wit
the various sectional boards Of trade in tn
city, but without success 1t Is TO be hope
that the question will not be allowed +
drop, but that greater efforts will b. pu
forth to effect this desirable union.
NEW BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING.
The matter of board of trade buildiu
Is in the hands of competent committee
and the nucleus of n building fund hs
| 10 ho
when the business outlook brightens deCi
i've action will be taken toward the con
struction of such an editice 1t wi
certainly strengthen the board, furnish n
commodations badly needed in the city an
be permanent and pleasant home for I'll
organization.
The report contains an able argr
ment on economy in steam production
in which is advocated the usa of culn
This article contains the following:
Every manufacturer knows that trl
economy in the production of his specials
requires economy at the primal mott
, portion of his plant-the boiler room. |
= ventors have from time to timo improve
the various types OF steam boilers, al
. every practical Improvement has met wi
more or less favor from steam user
While the improvements IN boiler an
CRATE construction have been pr)gressin,
enterprising and intelligent engineers NJ
o manufactur9rsghave been endeavoring
t solve the problem Of cheap and cle
81 fuel That they have succeeded Is ev
denced in the boiler rooms OF every man
n featuring establishment in the busy city
/ Scranton, and OF every coal mine in 81
Lackawanna Valley. In no portion of II
' world Is the steam power produced
o cheaply as it is in this valley.