Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-03-20
THE POTTERY QUESTION.

A MEMBER OF The Syno1cate REPRESENTING
the local pottery project heretofore mem
toned in the Register, who first intended
to start in operation the North Wheeling
Pottery in a businesS-like way. with no
intention of selling out to any combine,
was seen yesterday and submitted the
following statement:
To the Editor of the Register.
.'Sir-The solicitors of a rival scheme,
brought about by changing conditions and
circumstance are now working under an
option gotten. believe, through a misun-
Outstanding, and possibly. to sell out to
the trust, and using means unfair and mis-
leading, to secure the end in view. First,
they give the public to understand that
the American Pottery Trust Ito whom
they tried to sell OUT is practically dead.
and that the trust will not likely mater
iahze or come up with the cash, that they
have withdrawn from it, and then that
they have not, if it is going to be go;
and then lastly, that there is a new trust
scheme on the docket.
Amy of the above lightning changes are
enough to Keep our people guessing, Won
dering and wandering, but the last new
scheme on the docket can be said to be
allurng, even winning for most if not all
of US like to make money easily, by catch
ing the golden fleece that is now being dis
tributed so literally by the trusts.
with money so plenty now in our COM
munity, and with these ends in view, it is
but natural to suppose that any scheme
to start industries will pas, Amuster with
out much, if any, careful scrutiny. Such
conclusion or Judgment displayed might
be well enough if our intentions were
merely speculative and for the present
only but that kind of enterprise brings no
permanent prosperity to our city.
ITO permanently put in operation the
North Wheeling pottery, certainly comes
from a good motive and ought to be en-
Outraged by our citizens. We have been
inspired by this plainly honest motive
from the first, and have spent time and
money, exercising great care in associat-
ing ourselves with thoroughly competent
potters, VINO could successfully and profit
ably operate the plant and as has been
stated before, such a combination of skill
and long experience has been secured and
interested in the undertaking.
Those who feel inclined to invest, to
push along an enterprise like this, often
feel their own incompetency to judge of
the wisdom to subscribe to this or that
scheme, and thereby feel themselves es-
tranged. But other potters and pottery
centerS are near at hand, East Liverpool,
for instance, from which much informa
ton could be gotten on this subject as well
as that Of other experienced men in that
business. Pottery statements and stock
quotations are often found in East Liver
pool and Trenton papers. This brings to
mind a statement not long since published
in an East Liverpool paper giving the
profit, or more particularly the losses, of
a large company or combine in Trenton,
who were very anxious to be joined with
the American PotterieS trust. The paper
in question said:
1.-The Trenton Potteres Co., which
was organized in 1892, controls six sanitary
ware potteries in Trenton. The last annual
report at hand is that for the year end
ing December 81. 1897. 1t shows a profit
for the year of just $2139.75, after the
largest years business in the company's
history. The quick assets exclusive of
real estate, plants and appurtenances), on
December 81, 1897, were as follows:
Cash ...... ......................$6 9, 1856 81
Good accounts ........... 1C5, n So
Bills receivable ............... 27,240 81
500, 74S 50
Inventory ......... .............. 265,s6S OF
s46S 616 rs
AT that time no dividend had been
paid on preferred stock for three and a
half years, and as these shares are en-
titled to per cent. cumulative dividend