Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-02-12
THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD.
LOCAL AND TELEGRApHIC LABOR NEWS.


industry, has been the most sensational
feature of the week in circles to which
such subjects are pertinent. The idea
that a trust should be formed with a
canitat stock of $400,000,000 seemed
visionary to many conservative think
ing business men, but by others 1t was
treated as natural sequence TO the
drift affairs have been taking during
+he mast few months. The National
Steel Company, if reports current are to
be given credence, IS to De trust VI
trusts. Into it are to be Incorporated
tho interests and holdings of the Amer
lean Tin Plate Company, the Federal
Steel Company, the billet tr'lse' WIRE
nail trust. tube trust and divers other
consultations. either accomplished or
in process of formation. Its object is
to oentralize under one head all the
manufacturers of iron products in ev-
cry form whatever. The genius of the
promoter does not cease with the I'M
adapted product, either, but seeks 10
monopolize the output of every plant
making machinery used in converting
the raw material or merchantab1e met
al into more intricate form. The
scheme Is gigantic in conception and
momentous in import, and II success
full will introduce a period OF indus
trial Imperialism such as the world has
never seen. Whether this will be good
or bad for the people as whole re-
mains to be demonstrated, for the prob
lem is a new one absolutely unparalleled
and without precedent or practical
demonstration.
The only plants in this vicinity
whose absorption by one or the other
of the big combines seems imminent
is the Aetna-Standard, the Laughlin
and the Bellaire Steel works. Several
others have been approached tentative
ly. but as far as public information is
permitted TO delve no promises have
been made or options signed. Inc
prosperity which local iron manufac-
turers are enjoying at present is not
calculated to foster a desire for a
change of conditions which not even
the wisest business heads can clearly
fathom. The manufacturer is placed
in a peculiar position which the pub
lie generally does not always appre-
ciate There are two facts which he
must face and from which he must
+ make a choice First, he may go into
Il
such untried methods may afford him,
or second, he may continue independent
operation and run the risk of ruinOuS
competition upon the part Of his for
midable rival An election of one or
the other policy is imperative, and the
selection and subsequent results is not
easy to analyZe.
The rumor during the week that
the large interests of the Wheeling
Steel and Iron Company are about to
pass into the control of the National
Steel Company was premature. That
such an event is a future possibility IS
unquestioned, but the fiat denial CT any
such a movement upon the part of the
officials of the company is accepted as
an evidence that no such step is to be
taken Immediately. However, il the
organization of the so-cal1ed National
n res, shaking up among the in
--~ae- sAfes of this part of the valley may
be looked for.
The intense cold of the past week
with its attendant shortage OF gas has
been an obstacle to manufacturing of
no small consideration. Owing to a
break in the pipe line of the Wheeling
Natural Gas Company early Wednes-
day morning, the Belmont the LaBelle,
the Aetna-Standard and the Crystal
glass works at West Wheeling were all
off for period during the day. The
Warwood tool works, Faheyss planning
E,ill, and numerous lesser plants were
also compelled to suspend for want Of
an adequate supply of the gaseous fuel,
The Laughlin tin plant went on in
full the first of the week, and all doubt
as to its immediate future has been al
layed. The tin department. of the
Laughlin is one of the largest in the
valley south of the Pittsburg district,
and its output is looked upon as a high
grade article by jceberS. The mill EN-
ploys a large force of hands who are
glad to get to work again, after a ten
weeks idleneSs. The starting of the
mill will contribute materially to the
prosperity of Martins Ferry, and
Wheeling as well.
The tin output from the local mills
has advanced fifty cents a box within
the past few months, and it is possible
it may take another jump upward be-
fOreGong. At least such is looked for
Dy interested parties. BLOCK TIN mas
also advanced, but not so much as 10
counteract profits on the finished pro-
duct
Local builders and contractors are
anticipating d slight advance in the
price of brick this season, or, rather, a
uniform price throughout the district
In former years, when every manufac-
turer of brick was at liberty to make
his own prices, there was a tendency to
beat down the cost of material, and
there was also disposition on the part
of manufacturers to make every con-
cession in order TO assist local builders
in getting contracts. This caused more
or less cutting, which not unfrequently
was ruinOuS. Under the present re-
gime there is to be none of this. Con-
tractors will get price on brick from
the central selling agency and in MAX
ing up their bids they will know no
one else is beating them on this item,
for all will be treated alike. A local
builder says the formation of the SD
burban Brick Company will simplify
matters in one way, but will make it
harder on contractors in another. All
variation in bids must now fall upon
other items entirely, which will leave