Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1896-03-06
KNIVES AND FORKS.
now BRITISH CUTLERY is MADE
FOR AMERICAN MARKETS..

Efforts Made to Flood Our Markets
Before the Mckinley Tarln-How
1t Injured British Cutlery Trade
Their Prosperity Returning
Under the Wilson Bill.
SHEFFIELD, Eng, Jan. 2S, 1896.
In the hardware line of this country,
sheffield" is well nigh q household
word. But like many other English
trades, its success and prosperity is
largely dependent on outside sources
OF consumption. In fact, nearly every
industry of England is dependent on
outside help before it can "gee" at all
and, like the wooden and worsted trade
Of another part of Yorkshire. Sheffield
steel and cutlery manufacturers find
in America their most important GUS
toner for her made up products.
As one takes up his table cutlery or
examines his pocket blades. the familiar
names Joseph Rogers & Sons, and
several others OF noted fame, convey
the impression that all these produc-
tions emanate from large and magnif-
icent factories. But such is not the
case. Some of Sheffieid's large con.
Germs are housed on back streets SO
narrow as to be merely lanes, in build
ings that formerly were used as shops
and dwellings, now thrown all into one,
having such big notions about Shelf
fields cutlery trade, he would think it
degenerating to the fame some of the
cutters have attained.
Standing one dinner hour in the
street of the very thick of Sheffield's
factories, it was evident that the huge
number OF men, who were hurriedly
walking about, we're operatives in the
district factory. 1t needed no great
effort to button hole one Of these and,
having accomplished that, at once
began the pumping" process.
"By your appearance you seem to
be workman in one of these cutlery
factories can you inform me of like
ly person who can give me few par
ticulars of your trader"
"What is it that you want to know?"
was very quickly responded. Then I
announced to him my purposes.
"Look here" be said in effect, 81
have worked IN the steel and cutlery
trade of Sheffield all my life, and just
know thing or two about it; come to
my house, street, No. -, at o
later hour when I've finished and we'll
have talk together.
agreed to that proposal and now
submit the results of that interview.
I may say here that, on inquiries
about my informant, ] found him to
be very sober, steady, intelligent
man, whose character was thoroughly
good and whose ability was undis-
puted.
"Well," said, when called upon
him later, show are you off for work
in Sheflield?"
ooh, just at present we've got quite
plenty, in fact, in some departments,
they are not only busy, but literally
have more to do.than they can possibly
get through"
"Then of late you have had an in.
crease of employment, say for this last
year back?"
Certainly we have"
"But what is the general opinion in
cutlery circles as to the cause of this
greatly improved trader"
Everybody says it's the American
people knocking off the late heavy
tariff" he said, somewhat childishly /;
but he was no doubt voicing the senti.
ments OF all Sheffield, and speaking the
truth into the bargain.
''But is there no other reason that
can be assigned for Sheffield being S.
quiet until this year came in?"
Here he seemed TO think soberly,
and after u moments reflection he
gave me this valuable piece of infor-
nation.
"Yes," he blurted of abruptly.
Zone of our largest manufacturers Of
cutlery, by name Messrs. George
Wostenholm & Sons, up to the late
Inauguration Of those very atgt tariffs
in America was very busy"
"You mean the Mckinley tariff
which took effect in October, $780," I
said by way Of enlightenment.
eyes, that was it. Well, up to then
this firm was extraordinarily busy.
Every available stand was occupied