The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-16
1895!
What Will 1t Be =?
SOUND OPINIONS FROM RAVENNA
MANUFACTURERS

SOUND OPINIONS FROM RAVENNA
HANUFACTURERS.
Read Them. They are able, instructive, in
spring and replete with facts and business
logic that point to the early disappearance
of the last vestige of the great panic of
1898 and 1894, and give assurance of normal
prosperity for 1895.
| We have been pleased to note, of late, the
material evidences of greater prosperity at
the various Ravenna manufactures. While
nearly all of them are in unlimited operation
and give very tangible proof of better trade
conditions by their reeking stack and daily
sound of whistle and bell, tha expressions
from the several proprietors abundantly con-
| firm the impressions created by these inanl-
mate indices. They voice without exception
present trade increase and confident ex-
pectancy for future enlargements. The con-
sensus of opinion respecting the outlook for
| 1895 is of decidedly more encouraging ma
ture than that of one year ago for 1894, and
] the anticipation of a comparatively prosper
GUS and healthy trade year seem to be abun-
dainty justified. At the
| RAvENNA SHOE FACTORY.
we found everything in preparation for me-
chanical resumption after the holiday shut
down. This institution furnished steady
employment to about 100 hands during 1894,
Sundays and holidays being the only time
| its whistle was not heard. What the propri-
etors had to say, will, we think, be of inter-
est to all, particularly to the people of Ra-
VIENNA. They said The prospects for an
| increasing trade with us are very encourag-
ing. In fact they are such that we shall
start our factory in all its departments next
| Wednesday, Jan. 10th, with an increased
force, AID turn out, daily, 600 pairs of shoes,
an increase of 200 pairs over the average
daily output of last year. We anticipate a
steady run and shall not be surprised if we
are obliged to materially increase the en-
| larged output before the expiration of the
year. We regard the general commercial
prospects much better than they were one
year ago. We look for year of compara-
tive prosperity. If our own trade were to be
| taken as a criterion we should say 1895 will
| witness return to normal conditions. But
| from the evidence at our command through
our relations with the outside business world
we think we are amply justified in our fore
cast. To be sure collections are rather slow
at present, but this we attribute largely to
the temporary slothfulness of the post-holi-
day season and in no sense prophetic of the
| year. The important fact remains that Or
ders continue healthy and are on the increase
| Yes, sir, 1895 will be a good year for the
whole country, in our opinion.
THE J. F. BYERs MACHINE Co.,
with Al names on its pay roll, is more than
ordinarily busy. When the comparatively
| short time of its organization is considered,
it will be seen that its present position in the
| trade has been a matter of rapid attainment,
due alike to the merits of its products and
| the never-failing efficacy of business energy.
In response to our inquiry, NJ. Collins, Sec
retary of the Co., said: "The prospects
never appeared better for US than right now.
| Everything indicates a year of unusual activ-
Ity IN our line. Without an exception trav-
cling salesman with whom have conversed
tell the same story of reviving trade espec-
| tally mentioning the great increase of build
New England States. What regard as the
surest index to returning activity is the very
general opinion that the bottom notch has
been reached in iron and the fact thatopera
| tlons in that line are steady and enlarging.
We are booking good orders, and the very
fact of a demand for hoisting machinery is
sure testimonial to a financial and indus
trial revivifcation, for it means that con-
tractors and builders generally are preparing
for q busy season which they know to be
coming. Ofcourse this in turn finds employ
ment for vast army of mechanics and Ia
borers, and in fact reaches out to every ave-
nue. of industry, and draws out money on all
sides from its hiding places. The logic of
present conditions points with unerring GER
talnty to returning prosperity, and if no un-
forseen events arise to again complicate the
situation we shall certainly realize our ex-
pectations. Collections were good up to
January 1st, but are at present little slow,
most of the buyers asking for short exten-
sion of time ; this, however, is attributable
in part at least to the general Strengthening
mp process at the beginning of each year,
and is nothing that [ apprehend will continue
collections, taking all of the foregoing state
ments into consideration, as very good, and
as have already indicated, we expect to do
the largest business in our history the coming
year.
"Good afternoon Glad to see you! Take
chair and come up to the fire." was the
hospltable reception given us at the
BUCKEYE CHAIR FACTORY,
by Mr.. c. D. Chamberlin, one of the propri-
etors. There was little need to ask how bus
mess was at this establishment, judging from
what we saw in its various departments.
The company had just commenced, that day,
to operate its new sawmill, across the street
fromsthe main buildings, and the whir of the
buzz saw isanother addition to the ''machine
music" or chair chorus" to be heard at this
busy industry every hour of every working
day. Mr.. Flick is at present in New York
City attending the Furniture Exposition, and
Mr.. O. l.. Hall represents the Buckeye at
similar Exposition in Grand Rapids, Mich
Both gentlemen report very satisfactory con-
ditions of the chair market, and are sending
in substantial orders for the popular Buck
eye chairs. Mr.. Chamberlin said:
" The natural conditions are favorable for
good business year. By that mean that
stock in the hands of dealers of almost every
kind have been reduced within the past two
years, and especially during the one Just
closed, to the lowest point consistent with
maintaining their custom. Even that has
been jeopardized in some instances, as we
know from the lumber of telegraph orders
for chairs received just previous to the hol-
idays. The general sentiment was nicely
expressed by William Geiger, purchasing
agent for John Wannamaker, of Philadel.
phia, when he said inzreply to Mr.. FIick's
solicitation for orders for Buckeye Chairs at
the July Exposition in New York City, s'We
are not buying for stock we are going to
make you manufacturers carry the stock for
us this season. We shall only order enough
to protect our CUSTOM l would think that
this feeling of ultra conservatism had some
what expended itself, and that a reactionary
feeling is coming indicated as I said before