New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
CLOAKS, SUITS AND WAISTS.
A VAST INDUSTRY. GIVING EMPLOYMENT TO
THOUSANDS AND INVOLVING MILL,

THOUSANDS AND INVOLVING MILL
IONS OF CAPITAL.
In every retail drygoods store OF any impor-
lance throughout the country there is a depart.
ment for clOaks. suits and waists. So important
has this branch OF the business become that it ID
looked upon as one Of the essential factors In
successful business. From lowly beginnings
years ago, the industry has been outstrippng
many other features Of the drygoods trade I'M
til at the present time there are invested vast
sums I'm capital with annual output of tre-
mendOus proportions.
From artistic standpoint the articles made
are Of distinctive merit and value. Thousands
of women who in former years have had their
clothes made to order now find perfect satisfac-
ton in the ready-made garments on sale IN the
retail stores OF the town city In which they
live. New-YOrk Is the Mecca for the buyer or
these goods. In this city are no less than six
hundred wholesale houses devoting their time
and attention to the requirements Of the trade.
Some Of these houses do an annual business Of
$2,OO0,0O0. Out of the total number there are
$50 firms with a capital Of $4,000 each and ~
with a capital Of $4,000. The business requires
the employment Of fifty thousand persons who
live In the city.
One Of the largest manufacturers of coalxs
and suitngs states that the present outlook for
business is exceedingly fiattering. THE general
public have no idea" he remarked, of the
processes involved in the manufacture Of our
goods. From the raw material to the mills, to
the cloth commission houses. to the importer and
wholesaler, to the manufacturer. and, finally, to
the retail store, the garments pass through in
Vulnerable hands. The business is one requiring
the greatest Judgment and business acumen
Every season the styles are changing, and the
manufacturer. to keep pace with competition.
must be up and doing all the time. First it is
big sleeves and then small ones: from tight-ft-
ting waists to blouse effects the fashion goes. and
IL requires some one TO be continually studying
the fashion-plates to know just what il going to
happen. Then the question Of material Is an all
important one. In our establishment We make
goods that sell In the stores all the way from
So up to S25 and $50 apiece, In the better grades
imported cloths are required. Then there are
certain grades which trimmed with furs and
other materials of different nature from the
cloth Of the garment
'"rhe subject OF Innings and trimmings be-
comes q big item In the cost OF manufacture.
The business in most of our representative
houses Is operated according to careful sys-
tenn. The cloths which go into cfoaks. suits and
waists are all carefully examined and prepared
for the cutter. These men, are most sklful, and
earn big wages. Upon them depends the style
and attractiveness of the finished garment. The
sewing is done partly In the factories and partly
on the outside by a small army of Hebrews who
call for the cut pieces and carry them to their
homes where they are put together. This IL on
the cheaper grades. The finishing and trimming
are all done in a separate department. The busi-
ness during the present year has been good
through the West. where the farmers have been
enjoying prosperity as a result OF the big prices
received for their last years wheat Jobbing
houses all through that section report the best
kind Of business"