The evening times., 1899-02-14
A SFUPENDOUS
CLOTHING TRUST
Plans Formulated by a Balti-
more Manufacturer.
Sixty Woolen Mills Included in the
Combination.
The s.Sweaters'' Not to He Asked to
JOin-yiews OF Samuel
ROsenthal.


formulated for one of the most stupendous
trusts of this country. which will be con-
summated within a short time.
The combination is to take in the WOOL
en- mills and the principal clothing manu-
facturers of the United States. The finan-
ciaI end of the trust has already been pro-
Yided for, and will represent an investment
amounting to sl00,000,0o0.
Baltimore will be largely interested in
the trust, most of the leading manufactur-
ers having already signified their intention
of becoming members of the mammoth
combination. The plan was formulated in
Baltimore by Mr.. Samuel Rosenthal, of the
firm of Strousse Bros. & Co., and has met
with general approval by the entire cloth
ing trade, which has asked TO become mem
bers of the trust.
Economy the Object.
Mr. RosenthaI was seen at his home,
and in speaking of the combination said
Il have been working on the plans for
the formation of this combination, or trust,
as you may call it, for some time, and
they are now about completed The OBJ
ject of this combination is to economize
in the manufacture of clothing. | want it
is not calculated TO injure the consumer or
affect labor. Contrary to this, the torma-
tion viii be an assistance in both instances.
The combination will include about sixty
of the foremost wooden mills and about 125
firms who are engaged in the manufacture
OF clothing. | have received letters from
nearly all of the leading concerns in the
country. and they are heartily in SYM
pathy with the new organization.
Expenses VIII Pc Cut.
Competition in the clothing trade makes
our expenses much heavier, especially as
most Of the goods we make are sold by
travelling statesmen. OF the large concerns
a man generally carries from ten to twelve
trunks, weighing from $50 pounds each up
He also carries packer, and you can read
lily imagine what the enormous expenses
attached to this one branch of the busi-
ness are. Frequently, in the larger cities,
can be found twenty-five travelling sales
men from different houses in different sec
tons II is the idea of the new combina-
tion. which will be carried out, to take into
the new organization only the largest and
most reputable firms Of the country en-
gagged in the manufacture of clothing. The
! smaller manufacturers, especially the
| sweaters will not be asked to join the
combination.
1T is this class of foreign labor which
! has injured the industry to considerable
! extent. They are under comparatively no
| expense whatever. When we employ num-
erOus statesmen at large salaries to sell our
goods the other fellow does his own selling.
/ Where we pay a bookkeeper 81, coo Il year
! they keep their own books. Where we rent
warehouses at from $1,000 to SIS 900 year
| for our manufacturing purposes, their bus
| mess is carried on in an attic. l am speak
| ing in general way as to this and not as
member of the firm l represent.
Consumer Not to Suffer.
Every firm which goes into the combi-
nation Will, of course, be represented. but
/ it viii, in a great degree, minimize the
| staff Of clerks and other office help There
viii be. of course. one central Office where
the head of the trust will be located, but
where that will be located / am unable
! to say. In each city there will be a cen
| tral office also, which, of course, will be
/ presided over by some competent head Ii
will enable US to go into the markets with
| out the great expense of competition
/ which, of course, will be a great saving tC
the manufacturer. want, however, to
emphasize the fact that it will not cut
wages or be to the disadvantage of the
consumer. II Will also be q great thing
for the woolen mills, not one of which,
believe, is now paying dividend. 1t will
be one of the most gigantic combinations
ever formed, as it is an undisputed fact
that there is more money invested in the
manufacture of clothing than any other
| business in the country.
Details Not Completed.
4 cannot tell Mr.. Rosenthal continued
when the details will be arranged, as il
Will take, perhaps, several months But
! the plans for the trust have all been work
! ed out and have been heartily approved
| by those who are already interested in it
| The capital of 500, 600 900 has been ar.
ranged for, which, as you know, is the
! most important feature of the transac-
! ton. The firms who go into the combina-
| tion viii be paid in cash or stock for their
| interests, or both, if 1t is SO desired The
stock VIII be divided into common and
preferred, of which l cannot say more al
| present New York will, of course, be
largely interested, and will furnish q
greater part of the immense sum of money
with which it is TO be capitalized. Balti-
more, however, will furnish its share
Mr. Rosenthal will no doubt hold very
important office in the corporation when il
is finally organized. The members of the
National Association of Clothing Manu-
! facturers who are interested consist oi
| leading houses, in New York, Chicago. Bos-
| ton. Baltimore, Rochester, Buffalo, Utica
| Philadelphia. St. Louis and other large
i large manufacturing centres of the United
| States.
Mr. Rosenthal has been in consultation
with the firms in these cities, and state:
that they are all in thorough sympath!
with the plans of the formation.
FATAL p0WDFR EYPTNSTnN