The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-28
PRICES UP.
Clinton Wire Cloth
Company
ADVANCES RATES,
Will Fight Wire Trust If
Necessary.

clinton, Jan. 27.-Following a gem
eral increase in the cost of wire of
from IS to IS ton, the Clinton Wire
Cloth Company has advanced prices
all along the line. The amount of the
advance could not be ascertained in
precise figures today but it is from 20
10 20 per cent more than the old prices.
The company is not anxious to sell at
existing prices. and is refusing large
orders for immediate delivery at pre-
Valllng figures. The officials of the
company expect that prices on wire
goods will go much higher, and they
nave no disposition to pledge the ca
pacity of their mill at today's market
rates.
The effect of the increase is felt, but
not by the mills, If the experience of
tne Clinton Wire Cloth Company is a
criterion Prices are higher, but the
consumer must pay the freight The
american Steel and Wire Company has
raised the price on the wire, the Clinton
wire Cloth Company has raised the
price on the manufactured wire, to the
9obper, and as member Of the COM
pany expressed it, this evening. THE
Jopoer, If he knows his business, will
raise the price to the consumer"
The officials of the Clinton Wire
Cloth Company are much gratified by
the fact that Philip w. Moen is select
ed for the fourth vice president of the
trust This means that he will be in
direct charge of the WaShburn &
Moen mills, and gives the Clinton Wire
Cloth Company a sense of security
mat might possibly be lacking, had a
stranger been thrust into this place.
The relations between the Clinton
Wire Cloth Company and Washburn &
Moen have been terms of satisfactory
business intimacy.
nevertheless, there is in the minds Of
the officials of the Clinton Wire Cloth
company an uneasy sense of danger
IL Is understood that the trust has be-
gun to discriminate in it's dealing be-
tween companies using its product, at
Ieast against one concern, and while
Ghere is no present indication that this
discrimination will extend to other
mills, there is no reason why it cannot
The principal reason why persons
who know the situation think no eff
fort will be made to injure the local
industry is perhaps the condition of the
wire industry. Everything is booming
The mills are running overtime. The
Clinton Wire Cloth Company is run
ming day and night, and has been for
the last three years. If the trust should
desire to manufacture for the trade
as the local company is doing, it would
have to build plant to take the place
of the one here, and that would cost
q million and half of dollars.
Charles Swinscoe, manager of the
Clinton Wire Cloth Company said to
the correspondent of The Spy, in an
interview: 1T is entirely too early to
tell what the policy of the trust will
be. We do not, for the present, APP
prehend anything inimical TO us"
IF you apprehended danger, would
you make a fight?" asked the CORE
Spondent.
I'VE have never had the reputation
of lying down to let people walk on
u.s. replied Mr.. Swinscoe.
The undoubted fact is that should the
Clinton Wire Cloth Company feel the
influence of the trust Instantaneous
~, it would start an opposition wire
drawing plant in no time. 1t is we'll
equipped to do this. 1t is backed by
men with plenty of money, plenty of
credit and plenty of brains.
1t has been understood that the plans
for new mill, to be erected in the
west, were ready long before the trust
was formed, and are in existence yet.
The company owns large piece of land
opposite Washburn & Moen's wire
dl6WluS pl&uL III the SUBURBS OF ChiCa-
go. Adjacent to its factory in this
town. the company owns piece of land
that would be ideal for the erection of
a wire drawing plant. A 350-ton plant
could be erected, 1t is estimated, for
$500, 900.
Everybody who is interested in the
wire industry in Clinton would be bet
ter pleased if the trust would enlarge
30 as to take everybody in or. failing
that, II it will confine itself to wire
drawing and get out of manufacturing
altogether.
The Scotch ball given under the ans
plees of st. Andrews Society, brought
1000 people to town tonight Madame
Barutio's Scotch Concert COMPANY
from Boston gave a concert that was
exceedingly enjoyable. The Dubar
orchestra of Boston furnished music
The committee of arrangements con-
sisted OF John Bennett, James Ander
son, James Dickson, Alex Dickson
Alex M. Anderson, James Jeffrey w
!. Dunlop and John Somerville.
The floor was in charge of President
w. l. Dunlop; assistants, Alexander A
DICKSON, John Somerville; aids. James
jeffrey, James Dickson Andrew smart
Peter Maitland, John r. Kilgour, Aiax
Anderson. James Thompson.
The reception committee included
Robert Maitland. George d. Dunsmore
and James Dickson.