The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-07-30
THE OWOSSO TIMES.
TWELVE PAGES.
EDMUND o. DEWEY, EDITOR.
OwOsSO, FRIDAY. JULY 80. 1897,
GRATIFYING.
Reports from Owosso Factories Show I'm
provement Over Last Year.

Reports from Owosso Factories Show I'M
provement Over Last Year.
From statements made to THE TIMES by
the various factories in this city 1t seems
clear that while Owosso factories have had
quite phenomenal success in keeping up
their business during the recent panic and
hard times, the general improvement in
business has been quicker to affect them,
and an increase of business has already set
in.
Five of the leading factories report an
aggregate increase in their output for the
first six months of 1897 oyer the first six
months of 1896 OF about twenty-one thou
sand dollars. Though this difference APP
pears small In reality it indicates more than
1t would seem to. The first six months of
1896 was probably the best Fix months
manufacturers of the class of those in this
city had had since the panic began, dealers
apparently having reached place where
they were obliged to buy. This activity
first six months and in many instances the
output of the first six months was practi-
cally the output for the year. Hence while
the difference is only about $21, 900 greater
in the case of these factories, the difference
is on the right side and indicates much
more than that amount ordinarily would.
In the matter of the number of men en-
ployed there was but slight difference be-
tween the number employed during the last
six months and the number employed dur
ing the same months of 1896. What diff
ference there is, however, is in favor of this
year. This year during the first six months
there were $50 men employed where
last year there were 944. This increase is
of course small, but the same remarks ap-
ply as well as to the output and it indicates
improved conditions. Similarly in the case
of wages. The difference here is slight,
the average being the same with a
total of about two thousand dollars as an
excess Of the payments made to labor dur
ing the first six months of this year over the
same months of last year. Four firms
alone paid out nearly $3.50, 900 in wages dur
ing the six months just past.
In regard to the prices received in general
there does not seem to be much change.
One or two Of the factories have disposed of
their output at lower rate, while one at
least secured better prices than last year.
Collections are variously reported, tho in
no case are they said to be worse than last
year. "Our collections have been good,
but they were last year too" 1--WE have
been more careful to whom we sold and
have lost less this year" 1--WE usually
count on loss Of one per cent, but during
the last six month lost only about one
eighth of one per cent" I'VE have not los,
cent so far as we know yet through col
lections." collections are much better than
they were last year." are some of the re-
marks made.
Ofcourse 1t Is not to be expected that the
Owosso factories could furnish any such
startling figures, showing a great increase
either In output, wages paid or men en-
ployed, as could be furnished by hundreds
OF places, but this is to Owosso's credit 1t
must be remembered that during the last
few years when the factories in other cities
have been idle those Of our city have been
kept going. Preparations are being made,
however. for an increase In the coming six
months which will speak much more en-
phatically Of the changed condition of af-
fairs. This is especially true In the furni-
ture lines where a big increase is expected.
and judging from the number of orders now
on hand 1t cannot fail to come. As noted
In last weeks TIMES new machinery is to be
put In at both Estey factories and an addi-
tion built at factory A, which will enable