Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-11-08
SILK MANUFACTURE IN ANGERIC.
Millions of Dollars Invested in the Indus
try in the United States.
Toledo Blade.

Toledo Blade.
There are 500 silk manufactures in the
United States. capitalized at $50O00000 and
giving employment to more than $1,000
persons. including $4,000 women and girls
The first establishment of the silk indus
try as permanence was effected in the
city of Paterson, y. J., which has since
come to be known as the American Lyons
Paterson. however. has not monopolized
the silk business of New Jersey. for other
cities of the Cranberry State have had "a
part of it, particularly Newark and Jersey
city New Jersey has remained at the
head of this line of manufactures, with
a product of $4,000 600 in the year of the
last federal census. New York and Penn
sylvania following with a product Of $l9,-
100000 each. and Connecticut coming fourth
with a product of Sl0,MOOo0.
The statistics just at hand for the year
1895 show on the part of Pennsylvania a
marked increase in this manufacture since
the national census of 1890. While the
number of establishments has not been
increased their output has been enlarged
% per cent, the most notable increase be-
ing in the production of ribbons. which
was more than doubled, the output in 1895
being 35000O00 yards. The number Of
spindles increased during the five years
is 80 per cent. In 1895 the number of en-
ployes were 1855, an increase Of Ass over
the number in 1870. The wages paid in
1895 We're SioS2, 292 as compared with 81
725.2S5 in 1890. At this rate of increase it
mil. will
exceed New Jersey in the amount of an
nual product Of silk. Eastern Pennsyl-
vania. i'm which a majority of the silk
factories are situated has many geo
graphical advantages. Unlike Western
Pennsylvania, except in the anthracite re-
gion, it does not produce coal, oil or iron
ore. Much Of the land is rocky, some Of
it sterile. and il is not held at high prices.
Wood and building materials are cheap.
and there is water power in plenty. The
railroad connections Of Eastern Pennsyl-
vania are excellent and anthracite coal
lines passing through much territory which
is not productive in agriculture or other
wise. Recently the extreme noretheast-
ern section of Pennsylvania has been util-
lied for the construction of silk factories.
This can De done Win advantage now bt-
cause the eligible towns of New Jersey are
somewhat over crowded on the falling
silk market. and the cost Of eligible land
has increased abnormally in cities ada
cent to New York. Along with this in
crease Of land has been the corresponding
increase in rents The largest market for
American silks I'm I'm the cities of the East.
and one of the first Of these is the city Of
PHILADELPHIA. As Pennsylvania takes
much of the product Of American SILK fac
tories. there seems nothing unnatural I'm
PENNSYLVANIA supplying some Of the de-
mand but II will be a surprise 10 many
persons to know that the Keystone State
&c now nearly at the head Of the States Of
The country in the manufacture If silk.
The value of raw silk imported into the
United states-from France. Italy and
china. chiehy-last year was 100000.
The value Of silk goods imported was
s3l, 100000.