The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-08

Of wool. The jute backing of carpets is de-
stroyed by chemicals, leaving the wool in
tact. All material classed as shoddy is not
necessarily of a low nature. Competition
in the manufacture of wooden goods has in
creased the demand for high-priced woods
to such an extent that the abilities of man
ufacturers have been taxed severely. The
manufacture of good fabrics, by the use
OF wool in connection with shoddy is a
consequence. The demand has permeated
the entire system of the trade from the
small gatherers to the dispensers on a
large scale. and has resulted in asserting
and grading requirements.
1t is almost impossible to conceive of the
number of grades and styles of wooden rags.
The asserting is begun by the junk-Geal-
ers, to whom the rag-gatherer sells his
stock. Many divisions are made. In the
junk shops on side streets men and women,
seated amid heaps of rags, labor incessant-
~, and their aspect is one of picturesque
activity. Italian women with pendant ear
drops and highly colored shawls are the
central notes of color amid surrounding
wilderness of blue and green and yellow
rags The first assortments are placed in
bales and SOLD to the rag packers and deal
erS on a large scale. Then the rags are
again divided and subdivided. The various
grades are assorted with great care. Tech
nical knowledge enters into this part of the
business
One of the largest sources of the wool rag
supply is represented by tailors' and
clothiers' clippings, which amount to many
millions of pounds annually. The prices
pau AOI ILLS hlAlu .Ol SUCK seem nlSl 10 the
uninitiated. AS high as 20 cents per pound
has been paid for some grades. From 1 to
l12 cents per pound represents the value of
the lowest grades, and the range of values
covers almost limitless grades. The price of
clippings has more than doubled within the
past few months. Fortunes have been made
in speculation by those who invested heaY-
lily in rags previous to the Dingley tariff
A large amount of waste wool is gathered
from knitting and wooden mills. .Consum-
ers generally are in ignorance of the ex-
tent to which shoddy enters into their cloth
ing. 1t is present not only in low-priced
goods, but also in goods which are high
priced Efforts were made recently by a
congressional committee to ascertain the
number of persons engaged in the industry.
1t was found that every town, hamlet and
city was represented in it, and the figures
were so vast as to be unobtainabe. This
the purpose in hand. The extent to which
the business is carried is in proportion to
the number of inhabitants. In New York
and Brooklyn several thousand persons find
means of subsistence through it's channels.
One New York firm employs several hum
dred hands. 1t has warehouses throughout
the country.
A use to which wooden rags is put is in
the manufacture of flock for wall paper.
The flock is a fine powder used on the sur
face of the papers to give them velvety
appearance. 1t is made from the rags in
many shades.
An inspection of the sample room where
shoddieS are kept reveals an infinite va
realize that the dingy rag in one hand is
the basis of the feecy and fresh looking
material of commerce.
The Dingley tariff has already had a
marked effect on the rag industry, which
has for several years suffered depression
as a result of foreign competition. One
manufacturer of shoddy anticipates sales to
the extent of 81 900 within the next year.