New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-23
NAIL RERS UNITED.

AN ADVANCE IN PRICEs-TIE WIRE NAILS
POPULARITY.
Not shadow of apprehension exists in the ranks
OF nall manufacturers that break VIII come as
reported yesterday in the combination formed oy
them to check the competition which drove down
prices and wages. On the contrary. the org 'hzaioh
Of nail companies has manifested It's union OF p"r-
pose by a bulletin. issued yesterday In the New
York offices of the various manufacturers announce
ing that on and after May an advance OF 10 Genus
will be made above current prices
This" said the representative OF prominent
nail company TO 4 Tribune reporter last even ng, Is
a sign indicating that. instead Of dissolution threat
ening the association. 1t is as united az ever Inc
price in New-York to-day OF wire nails Is 81 s. keg
on docks. In carload lots OF 2+o kegs CUT ma !"
carload lots on docks. are s. 30
THE unprecedented decline In prices year ago
n, eo cents or wire nails and IS cents on the cut ar
t,cles was q costly thing for both manufacturers
and work,ngmen The severe competition had forced
prices so low that the manufacture OF nails was
losing business. The wages OF employees IN nan i"'
tories were reduced: the cuts were deep ana hih!
.trkes followed and several mills forced to the
wall One OF the first movements In the restoration
OF business return TO hiGher wages r''-
lowing this advance the prices OF raw material went
I'D In the iron boom, and then wire naiis rose from
30 cents a key TO 81. TO 81 10 and so on.
THE Wire Nail Association was formed rs pro-
lection against disastrous cutting OF prices IL mas
never evinced a sign OF weakening oince lis incep-
tion and the recent action OF the steel manuactur
ers In raising the price Of blles is evidence that
the nail companies will stand as unit to maintain
prices for their goods.
"A feature IN connection with the formation OF the
steel organization which has remained in the back
ground although 1t Is an interesting detail. is The
relation which large steel interests said 10 be he'd
by Mr.. Rockefeller OF the Standard OIL Company.
bore toward the consummation of the union
"As TO the actual feeling which prevails In the
nail industry. the action OF the Association meet
ing in Chicago yesterday. definitely determining
the advance uf Is cents Is approved on all sides.
and the new rate Will be universally applied from
May l.
Under the inducements offered by this decision
ing In the volume OF business. Chicago. St. Louis
and Pittsburg houses report the receipt OF much
trade toward the end Of the month. with the rush
OF buyers who desire to purchase before the ad-
vanced prices go into effect. With the improve
ment In weather the consumption OF nails mas
increased in the building trades. and altogether.
the prospects for larger business are most favor
able.
The Cut Nail Association acts in accord
with the Wire Nail Association but the dcna nj
for cut nails Is dying out. one half as many
nails wire nails were used last year.
THE American wire nall Is supreme In this coun-
try. and there Is no competition from foreigners.
Although the wire nall is native Of Germany.
il has attained finish in the United States which
makes 1t more popular than the foreign article
with Americans. The German wire nall is
attempts have been made to introduce IT here.
but without success. although the foreign nails
ruled in this market in the DAYS before Americans
started to make wire nails The last attempt TO
who brought $500 kegs into port, and finally dis
posed Of them for song.