The Somerset reporter., 1894-11-22
Shoe Manufacturing.

Shoe
When mau thoroughly knows bust
ness aud is willing to talk about that
business he cannot fail Of being Interest,"
ing to his hearers. He does not require
the tricks of the orator to give fascina-
ton to his subject Such were the con-
ditions on Friday evening last, when
Geo. b. Stafford, president of tie Bloom-
field Shoe Company and manager of the
shoe factory in this town. talked for an
hour in Milburn Hall, about the manu-
facture of shoes.
First he gave quite disquislion
upon that very useful member of the
body, the foot, describing lis complex
anatomy and aluding to the severe tests
it is put to aud the arduous work it IS
continually required to perform, argu-
ing therefrom the necessity of its being
properly cared for and clothed. lie
described the various STYLES of foot
covering from the sandals of the earliest
days TO the artistic aud highly finished
products of the best factories of the
present day, traced the process Of manu-
faeture from that of the Inherent 'cobbler'
who travelled about the country giving
his time necessary to make and mend
the shoes for the year or half year as the
case might be, down to the modern
method of turning out fine boots and
shoes by the million in factories filled
with expensive and elaborate machinery.
There are zoos shoe factories in the
United States, employing $50, 600 at fair
wages, 1000 of these factories are in
Massachusetts, g. in New Hampshire
and 50 in Maine.
The detail of the business is marvel
Gus. The purchasing agent is obliged to
go into the market and buy IS different
articles to go into the makeup of one
style shoe. This diversity is largely
increased in the manufacture of the
many different styles.
There is IA call for young men of brain
and tact to learn this business. Mana
gers find their greatest difficulty in OBJ
tanning men competen; to take charge OF
the several departments in the work.
Improvement in the tanning of the
various skins used has been marked
Millions of dollars have been spent in
experiments. Americans can now tan
leather superior to that of foreign work
men, and we are not obliged to 90 to
France or any other country for calf OF
kid.
The audience gave the closest atten.
ton to Mr., Saflord's remarks throughout
and at the close Rev. c. V. Hanson re.
marked that he was himself Il son of Il
shoemaker and as such moved II vote OF
thanks to Mr.. Stafford for his very enter.
tanning and instructive address. Tn,
vote was carried with earnest unanimity
Col. c. 7. Berry, Mayor of the city OF
Portsmouth and manager OF "A large shoe
factory there, was present and was invited
by President Gould to speak and respond
ed briefly. He was full of the shoe manu-
featuring business and he fully illustrat
ed the statement with which this report
began, that practical business men, whel
they talk about the business they are en-
gagged in and know, cannot tail of beina
highly interesting
S. W. Gould, Esq, president of tn,
Board of Trade, presided and Kendall
orchestra provided excellent music. Il
L. Patten, Esq, secretary of the Boarc
who made the arrangements for tn,
meeting is entitled to the thanks of tn,
members for so entertaining meeting
and we hope he will give us more
of the same sort.