Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-09-23
AMERICAN GLAZED KID.


EepresentHtiye of u Wilmington Firm
speaks OF His Visit Abroad.
William McCnrrnll, vice president Of
the american Leather Go. OF this city
anil New York, who has bean abroad
for two months, has returned home,
and in an interview, published in the
Shoe and Leather Reporter, said:
Although my trip was made almost
wholly for pleasure, ! naturally took adj
vantage of what opportunities presented
themselves to make snine observations
from business point of view. In travelling
through both Scotland and England, there
were strikingly apparent at every point
signs of business activity. Every manu-
featuring city-and the cities are nearly all
of that character in England--seemed
busy hive of industry" My observation
of these conditions was confirmed IN talk
ing with some Of the business men. There
was little. indeed no. discomfort. Almost
every man expressed himself with salts
faction as to the prospects. TIC newspapers
also reflected the same sentiments, with few
exceptions, these growing ont of incidental
strikes in some sections, the most notable
that vi the quarrymen, since settled, and
which had only local and temporary
bearing. Speaking in general way, how
ever, England is enjoying prosperous times
to an extent never before experienced there.
The enactment Of our present tariff law,
and the agitation connected with it, were
naturally subjects of very deep interest.
by those engaged in some Of the industries
most concerned with the American market
it was viewed with apprehension but, even
by these, II seemed to be assumed that, by
some means or other which experience
would develop, they would still be able to
command a considerable portion, if not the
full volume of this business The belief is
certainly general there that the reflex effect
xt,t1 Il al #
American export trade, and u consequent
advantage to England in the foreign
markets. With this opinion, Englishinen
feel quite compliment as to the result and ii
would even reconcile them to the loss of
considerable American business. In n talk
with u prominent and influential man, one
who had some experience i'll American
affairs, and whose cooperation is now
sought in gigantic enterprise now being
projected in one of our leading cities. he
said that our enactment of the high tariff
bill would prove unqucstionably of great
advantage to England. He added that
should America 1T any time reverse her
policy and proceed on the basis Of a
moderate tariff or toward free trade, Eng
land might as well, five years hence. close
up the works of some of the leading in
dustries producing for foreign trade. He
told me that this was the opinion recently
expressed to him BY one of the foremost
ever, are matters of more general interest.
With regard to those affecting orr own
trade, my observations led me to the con-
chlsion that tha extent OF the market for
glazed kid III England is over-estimated IN
America. The result OF that was apparent
in the very considerable quantities OF PLACED
kid which learned had been sent tn that
market on consignment and, att,r being
| held for n longer or shorter time, were suld
seldom realizing anything but considerable
loss for the consignors. Tie competition
for the trade is keen, the business being Ic-
stricted to such small area. Tie distance
| is short. the ground is covered constantly
| by eager statesmen, aud under the conditions
stated above, the result could not be other
| wise than rather demoralzng TO prices.
| The demand is broadly speaking. for sub
\ stantially the same qualities of stock as are
readily salable at home. The use of glazed
| kid is, however doubtless growing 1t is
not by any means general, as with us. Foot
wear, especially for women, is made from a
| much more varied line of stock. Calf in
various finishes and i'll colOrs, and other
| heavier leather, as well Us morocco of
| several kinds, are used for outdoor wear.
glazed kid being regarded as more suitable
| for the house. The use of American glazed
kid has doubtless been somewhat affected
and retarded by theinfcriOr quality OF some
| that has been sold abroad. But, us Il whole
| American leather is looked upon with d
| good deal Of favor, and doubtless its use
| will become still more general. II however
behooves those of our manufacturers who
are seeking to develop that trade to be ex
ceedingly careful as to the quality of what
is shipped. the English buyer will be founC
to be very slow to take hold second time
Of any line of goods that has once disap.
pointed him. The requirements as Il
| quality in all respects are exaetlng, aud The
trim of skin is closely looked after
Doubtless the impression that seems to pre-
vail here, of very wide market, is promptet
by the fact that each leather dealer learn
of nearly every sale that is made, and whei
he finds one Of any particular make. he in
quires for leather OF similar character ant
quality, or the same. to compete. The re
suit is "A widespread inquiry, which gives tn,
impression OF "a demand equally wide. which
does not exist. Nevertheless, there is, o
course, an aggregate volume of trade of con
siderable dimensions, and some manutac
turers may find it of advantage to cutivat
it. though it cannot be with the expectation
of any very large margin Of profit.