The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-07-10

mills will be constructed at available points
on Puget sound.
1t has been frequently remarked that Sc
attic and other cities IN the state are with
out nail and iron mills. This condition. It
Is claimed, Is due to only one fact. The
Consolidated Wire Nail Company, of Chi
cago, controls the nail and iron trade on
the Pacific coast and the supply is manu-
factured in Chicago and other Eastern
cities, and in Everett and San Francisco.
Even the nall mill company at Hammond,
Ind, ships large consignments of nails TO
Seattle. The fact that this kind of indus
trial institution Is not located and in op-
erauon IN Seattle Is due. 1t is alleged, to
the wire nail pool and nothing else.
Port Townsend Plant Purchased.
According to the plans and calculations
OF w. D. Hofius & Co.. the plant at Port
Townsend will be placed in operation in a
very short time, probably thirty days. To
. Post-Inteiligencer reporter yesterday
Mr. William Pigott, OF the firm of W. d.
Hoiius CO., said:
Il returned today from Port Townsend,
where for the firm of w D. Ho:iCs & Co,
OF which am a member. 1 purchased the
plant OF the Port Townsend Wire Nail
Company. This plant is 10 be placed in
immediate operation and we will employ
80 men at the least calculation. Hereto
fore. the business of supplying the Pacific
coast trade las been confined solely TO the
Chicago company. which, l understand
from authority which cannot be well dis
puted. controls the nail mills at Everett
and San Francisco. II Is our intention TO
place the nail mill at Port Townsend In
operation al the earliest possible date and
IL is very probable that II Will be In opera
ton in thirty days. Seattle and the entire
Puget sound district ia destined to occupy
a conspicuous place in the trade with the
Orient. l believe that before the lapse OF
a great length OF time, a number Of nail
and iron plants will be located on the Pa
ciiic coast. The expense of shipping this
material from the East Is exorbitant Cap
itallsts will decide that Seattle and not
Eastern people shall receive the benefit OF
this business. For this very reason. the
plant az Port Townsend has been p,Ir-
chased.
China md Japan'S Consumption.
People In China ana Japan are now
large consumers OF naiis. Houses are put
together with nails instead OF ropes. which
was formerly used. I; Is therefore neces-
sary 10 obtain the nails from either Seat
tie or San Francisco. I believe that In Sc
attic 1t will he possible 20 conduct this
business Just as advantageoualy as in san
Francisco. and the plant at Port Town
send was purchased with that object in
view There is no trouble encountered at
the present time III shipping nails % eth
er Japan or China as IL ~ now possible
II pack the material securely. and The
chances from loss are very small
In connection with the nail factory a.
Port Townsend. ia also a barrel and key
manufacturing plant. 81 wharf. railroad
track. and In fast everything e-se. which
would assis, IN facilitating this line of
business
NJ. Fgoit came 70 Seattle from Yornrs-
town. o. where he was manager ~ the
blast furnace Of the Andrews Hitchcock
Company Mr.. Hoflus oner4tes! a furnace
a. sharpsy5lie Pa Bo.h men IL - st---
are experienced !n <ae ircn and nail hasSs-
ness. and they premise that the plant at
Port Townsend VIII be made ore OF the
h<sst n the West. and that * will not De
operated IL the interest Of any rr1ooopo1v