The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-11-03

Democratic speakers in this section.
particularly Mr.. John A. Howard. have
been citing the pottery industry as an
instance Of the beneficial effects, Of the
massage Of the recent tariff bill, citing
tho tact that the potteries have been
very busy since the passage Of the bill.
oataik With gentleman who is con.
uscled With the pottery industry In
Wheeling, no admitted that the pot
,eries have been busy, but as will be
seen from bis language, shows clearly
that tho Wilson bill had noshingsto do
with II;
AUST about the time Of the passage OF
tbe tariff bill, the strike OF the pottery
Workmen that had lasted seven months.
came to an end. During that time the
stocks Of the dealers all over the coun::
try had been used mp; IN the face OF
The proposed tariff legislation none had
been willing 70 stock up before 1t was
definitely decided what the new pottery
schedulc would be. The strike had
hardly been settled when the tariff bill
nas,ed and the purchasing price OF for.
eirn goods, in the pottery line. was re-
diced Immediately II per cent by rea-
Son Of the change Of tariG. The Ameri-
can dealers, not having time to buy the
foreign goods, which could not be de-
lIyered Immediately, placed orders
quite numerously with the home pot
tsries, and az q consequence the potter
les have been for time very busy.
"This temporary demand has now all
been supplied, aud the local potteries
ara not receiving many orders. and
many that they had received are being
cancelled and foreign goods bought in
preference to American made pottery.
For the past ten days there has been
big falling off in orders. It ia no won
der that the homo potteries are losing
their trade, for they are unable to fur
nish their wares as cheaply as the for
eirner, who now brings his goods into
this market over seventeen per cent
cheaper than before the new tariff bill
wentinto effect, reduction that we are
not able to meet successfully and pay
the present rate OF wages"
Several weeks ago the 1NTRLLiGENcER
printed an interview with local pot
terry manufacturer In which he express
cd tho opinion and backed 1t up with
reasonable arguments, that 1t Is not
only England that Americans must ex-
pect TO compete with, but with the
Germans aud more than with anyone
else, with the Japanese. The latter, 1t
was, stated, had had agents in America
studying the styles OF utilitarian pot
tery in use here, with tho intention of
catering to the trade in America. Sew
eral papers. in a hap-hazard way, look
log into the matter, denied that the
Japanese could make this class ofgoods.
Samples OF some OF the goods made
by the Japanese have been received In
Wheeling, aud were seen yesterday by
an 1STELLfGENoER reporter. Among the
samples are decorated cups and saucers,
Which for quality and price cannot be
duplicated in an American pottery. AS
gentleman conversant with the indus.
try in this country put it. Two would
mot attempt 10 produce such an article"
Butter plates were also among the
samples, Of the excellent quality and
hand painted with gold lining which
sell for less than one cent each. The
cheapest decorated individual butter
dish made in Wheeling or anywhere in
America sells for two and one-half
cents. Aud the Japanese dish sells
here duty and freight paid for less than
one cent
The ability Of the Japanese to enter
into competition with America on pot
terry was even more conctusively shown
by comparison OF umbrella holders.
Two Of these sat by side. one made in
Japan and the other in Wheeling. The
American article sells for S., and the
japanese holder can be and is sold for
sixty cents, duty and freight paid. The
presser who made the American holder
received forty.four cents for his labor
alone. The Japanese workman re-
eeived from ak to twenty-five cents per
day. The class OF labor employed on
umbrella stands in Wheeling can earn
four dollars per day. Doesn't it look as
though the Japs can compete with
American potters and have margin OF