New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-10
THE PROPOSED SOAP TRUST.
EASTERN MANUFACTURERS NOT LIKELY
To 1O1N THE COMBINATION

7, "a now known that the soap manufacturing IL
dus,ry has just been visited by the uust-iorhiiis
endemic Promoters have for moh'n OF mo-
heen approaching soap manufacturers all over ''0
country I'm the hope OF getting them 10 poor ,he''
interests I'm n giant combination. Thus FAR now
- ,ne eeort does not seem TO be entirely sue
cessful for the reason that several large Eastern
concerns have refused TO Join the combination
The movement began among the large packing
houses In the West, who make soap as ny
nroduct These houses have for several years Deeh
forced by competition TO a continuous cutting down
Of nrices At present the prices are ruinousy low
and the large profits from other departments OF the
hacking business have been the only means Oh
keeping the packers soap business above "a'ei'
The suggestion made short time ago by Armour
& Co. that the soap men pool their interests anu
raise their prices, therefore adopted with aac-
ritv By the Western manufacturers. and II ala not
take long 10 bring number Of large houses INTO
tho fold Among those who agreed TO join the
movement Cudahy & Co. Of omaha; Swift 6
Co. OF Chicago. and Fairbanks Co.. OF 81 LOUIS
The Idea was conceived at the same time OF ihe'"o-
ing the houses who manufacture soap alone as
principal product. and among the concerns OF ms
sort which came into the combination were James
s Kirk & Co.. Of Chicago, and Schultz x Co. OF
GAINESVILLE Ohio The first setback was encountered
in the refusal Of Proctor & Gamble. Of CINCINNATI
Ohio TO Join the trust When the promoters came
East they found more trouble. The large establish
, j.
that Of Kirkman & Son. of Brooklyn, refused aoso-
lutely TO give up their Individuality. Neither were
Colgate Co eager TO go into the combination al
though II is now said that they have assented 10
some sort Of deal with the promoters OF the trust
A we'll knoWn soap manufactures or the last su'u
yesterday that he would not be surprised 10 see =
soap trust successfully launched In the West. put
did not think that one could be formed which
would embrace the whole country
THE Western houses have nothing 70 lose ana
everything TO gain by IT," he said. but of the
Eastern houses this Is not true. The former nave
been losing money for years on account OF the
cut-throat competition. ! shouldn't wonder Tor IN
stance IL the only salvation Of the soap business
OF Armour & Co had been occasional boost IN
tho shape of a check from Mr. Armour The rea-
son IL that they make 81 cheap soap, ana When peo-
pie buy that kind of soap they look not az mo
quality but at the price, and the lowest llgufe
wins. II these Western houses can get toSether
and control the supply they can raise prices ana
make money But with the Eastern houses IL is
Inherent They are much older than the western
houses and are well established. They nave a
permanent name and custom. and they deal IN
epecialties which well known and for which
there is a constant call We have nothing 10 gam
by Joining this trust. for We have our established
custom already. and no trust can take II away.
The Chicago banking house which is managing
The financial end Of the scheme was represented IN
the East by Mr. Johnson. IL is planned 10 cap
ttallze the trust for $15,OO.oJO