New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
SILK INDUSTRY.
NNw.YORK DISTRIBUTES THE ANNUAL.
OUTPUT OF PATERSON'S FA-
NOUS MILLS.
OUTLINE OK THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDUS
TRY IN THE UNITED sTATEs-oTHER
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROS
Porous NEw-JERsEy MANU-
FEATURING TOWN.

Porous NEW-JERSEf MANU-
FEATURING TOWN.
New-York is the principal point for entry and
outlet of the vast product Of that line OF in
dustry-the silk mills Of Paterson.
The town of Paterson nestles costly among the
foothills of the Ramapo range and its accessi-
bility and convenient situation within few
miles Of the metropolis. have been factors in the
development Of its Industrial resources.
Paterson has made rapid strides during the
last few years. and its Importance as SILK GEN.
ire gives 1t a unique place among American
manufacturing towns The first man to de-
vote himself to an attempt to introduce the
silk industry into Paterson was CHRISTOPHER
Colt. IT,. a brother Of Samuel Colt. the inventor
Of the revolver In fact. 1t was in the fourth
story of the revolver factory that the frst SILK
manufacture Of Paterson was housed. Inc
active operations Of this silk mill lasted only
three months. and it eventually passed into the
hands of G. w. Murray. OF New orK VINO
had been interested in the matter through the
solicitations of John Ryle. OF Macclesnei1, Ens,
land Mr. Ryle was put in charge OF the mill
under three years contract. and the founoa-
ton Of successful silk manufacture was laid
Paterson was then village OF seven thousahu
inhabitants.
In 1916 Mr. Rye bought out Mr. Murrays
interest in the business, and for the iirst time
began the weaving of broad goods.
erson but gradually others were established.
and the industry soon assumed tremendous i'm
portance. In 1898 the Ryle mills had grown
to such an extent that five hundred operatives
were required and the manufactures of this es-
adjustment alone consumed Two tnousahu
pounds Of raw silk per week. something UNI
precedented In the history of a SILK mil IN
America up to that time. Under the tariff OF
1881 Paterson became the centre. Of great silk
industry in which many prominent, concerns
engaged, and large amounts. OF capital were IN
hnno
active and the manufacture included wide
variety OF goods. some Of which had never been
made in this country before At this time also.
the weaving Of broad goods and fancy silks was
fairly we'll established
Paterson had been from the first favored with
abundant water power. and water in large guam
titles and of fair purity Is absolutely necessary
in the process Of silk manufacture especially
for cleansing the silk by repeated waShings TO
bring out its natural lustre. The most impor-
tant factor probably. in the development of the
industry was cheap labor Paterson had large
population Of men who worked in the machine
shops and on heavy work, and whose wives and
daughters needed employment. The silk mill
appealed to this class. The girls and young
women of Paterson were ready to take employ
ment at the silk mills as soon as they were eS
tablished. Under the tariff Of 1861 the manu-
facturers began to crowd in and as competition
raised the price OF labor it made employment
in the silk mill all the more desirable. Expert
in the processes Of manufacture brought
greater success. and the development was RAPID.
that time the progress rapid and
slant. Noteworthy changes in the whole char
acter Of the silk industry have taken place since
Paterson became its centre. Among these are
the profitable manufacture of broad goods. after
repeated trials. the earliest efforts in this d.
rection not having been successful.
The increase in the number OF firms engaged
I'm weaving silk is partly owing to the demands
Of fashion and partly to the fact that the con-
Germs that confined themselves to the
thrower's business nearly all realized many
years ago that they must undertake weaving
or retire from silk manufacture. 49,,
The importance Of New-YoIk as a dstribut-
ing centre for the silk industry Of Paterson cam
not be overestimated. The fact that this great
primary market Is within easy reach of the mills
and the enterprise and energy Ct the great COM
mission and jobbing houses of this city. have
all combined to aid the manufacturers in the
development Of their business Mos. of the
firms engaged in the industry represented
by New-York commission houses or have offices
in this city. where the trade OF the country is
hapdled aD1 looked after successfully
Paterson has often been termed the Lyons
OF America" and its great silk industry justifies
the maine.
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