The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-15
MANUFACTURERS OBJECT.
Methods Adopted by Eastern
Agents to Secure Cali
fornia Trade.
THE OLD sCRAP-1RoN STORY.
Leading Manufacturers and Steel
and Iron Dealers Defend Home
Productions.

There is considerable feeling and some
strong expressions have been INDUCED in
by manufacturers of this City over what
is stated to be reprehensible business
methods adopted by representatives of
Eastern concerns who are here In compe-
tition with the home manufacturer. They
assert that these agents have been grossly
slandering them and their home-factory
products, especially in that line OF trade
en-, bracing machine-shOps and foundrles,
by representing to intending buyers of
machinery, boilers, etc., that the San
Francisco factories use old pot metal and
scrap iron in the manufacture of all ar
ticles turned out from their shops, and
that in consequence the boilers, engines
and other machinery made here are weak,
unsafe and generally of very inferior
grade compared with the products of
Eastern shops.
Many local manufacturers are extremely
indignant over this unjust charge, de-
nouncing the Eastern travellers. and brand
their methods as contemplate and pi-
ratical.
The facts brought out through an inyes-
tigation made by THE CALL certainly tend
the leading machine works, rolling-mills,
and steel and iron dealers for the purpose
of investigation discloses the fact that a far
less percentage of old metal is used here
than in the East, and contrary to the East
ern drummers' charges the products of the
home factories are superior on that ac-
count. The further fact was developed
that under the rules and regulations
governing the manufacturing associations
in the East the use of S0-per cent OF scrap
iron was allowable. This no San Francisco
iron worker would ever think of doing,
although it is admitted that under certain
conditions the use of a certain proportion
of scrap is an advantage. From an early
day in the development OF the resources
of California the mining industry called
for superior class of machinery. No
foundry, machine-shop, boiler works, ETC.,
could hope to thrive if there was the least
faint of suspicion on the quality of their
manufacture. Thus at an early period IN
the history of manufacture here high
standard was established, and no concern
has ever dared to lower tLat standard.
The magnificent creations of San Fran
cisco shops represented by the massive
mining machinery to be found IN every
camp on the western slope of the Rockies,
and from British Columbia to Mexico, in
Central and South America, and beyond to
the far Orient, attest the capabilities of
home institutions.
When questioned on the subject Edward
A. Selfridge, vice-president of the George
w. Gibbs Company, importers of iron and
steel, which firm furnished most of the ma
terial for the boilers made here, was en-
phatic in denouncing the charges as I'M
true. Said he: 1--WE can dispose of only
first-grade material to the boiler-makers of
this coast. Second-grade stock would only
be lead stock, therefore we don't import
it. Who ever heard of the bursting of
California-made boiler?"
Paul B. Perkins of the Perkins Pump
and Engine Company said there were
many complaints of the ISLANDERS put upon
the factory products of this City. "Since
the organization of the Manufacturers
and Producers Association and the agita-
ton in favor of home industry began the
efforts of the Eastern drummers to malign
our manufactures have been more per-
sistent than ever" said he. "Users of ma
chinery of all kinds throughout the coast
should be informed of the faisity of these
attacks. As matter of fact the material
used in the shops of this State is far above
the average quality used III the East. We
have ne iron mines in operation here and
consequently import all our iron and steel.
Only the best grades are imported and an
ironworker could not get secOnd-class
article if he tried ever so earnestly.
1.-THE pot-netal and scrap-iron story they
are springing on US is all bosh. 1t is but
little used here, although under certain
conditions in the manipulation of iron its
use is an advantage and adds to the quality
of the article turned out. The rules and
regulations governing in the East permit
the use of as high as so per cent of scrap.
This effort made to injure the reputation
of our factory products will ultimately end
in the discontinue of the slanderers.
10
and then the superiority of our work and
material will become clearly apparent and
all doubts be set at rest"
Mr.. Perkins, who has had wide expert
ence in different manufacturing centers of
| the East, further stated that in no locality
where he has operated was there such a
uniformly high grade of material used or
better work turned out than comes from
the shops of San Francisco.
| ia. Wardner, the welI-kDown mining
man, who recently returned from the
Transvaal and who is interested in mines
| in Mexico and in the Cuur d'Alene,
Idaho, said: "California-made mining
| machinery is superior to that made any
| where on the globe"
Mr.. Hamilton of the keystone Boiler
| Works says the conditions existing here
| force them to turn out far better grade
| of boilers here than are made In the East.
Every plate in marine boilers made by
| them is inspected by the Government and
required to have tensile strength of Co.
| 600 pounds to the square inch.
f. d. Bepler, manager of the Union Ma
chine Company, when asked about the
truth or falsity of the charges referred to.
| said: ''The articles manufactured by the
shops of this City contain better material
and are of superior strength and workman
ship to articles of like nature sent out
from the East. We are compelled to do
better work here for the same price be-
cause our customers are generally nearby
neighbors, SO we are easy to get at and are
quickly called down for the least defect.
while the contrary is the case with fac
tories 5000 miles distant"
Mr.. Hobbs of Hobbs, Wall & Co. saws:
II have used California-made machinery
for years. The home manufactured boilers
are unexcelled."
1t is probable the matter will be brought
before the Manufacturers and Producers
Association for consideration at the next