The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-15
AMERICAN MONEY ABROAD.
Three Large Manufacturing Plants to
BE Built in Russia.

Thomas Smith, Consul of the United
States at Moscow, returns TO Russia to-
morrow after a short stay in this coun-
try. with authority from three or four
manufacturing concerns in this country 10
negotiate the preliminary steps for the
building of American manufacturing plants
In Moscow and St Petersburg 10 cost
IS 900, coo Mr. Smith stated that the
plans OF American manufacturers who Will
invade Russia with American machinery
and ideas within the next twelve months
involve an expenditure OF SIS, 00o OF
only a part OF these would he speak, say
ing that negotiations for some of the
others were anor far enough advanced TO
warrant his 1a.lang about them.
The Westinghouse Electric Company will
build a large plant in st. Petersburg in
the coming year at a cost of 81 000, coo;
the Standard Pump Company, which, ac-
cordlng 10 Mr., Smith, includes the Worth
ingtons, the Dunlaps. and others. will build
a plant either at st. Petersburg or Moscow,
to cost 81 ,000, 600 and the Singer Sewing
Machine Company whose intention was
announced some time ago, viii put up
factory in MOSCOW as large as any the
company owns in this country.
A careful examination OF the field has
been made by the Singer Company, accord
Ing 10 MI DeiI=Ne
they can drive out the German-made ma
chimes after their factory is equipped and
running as the American built machines
are much lighter and swifter than those
manufactured In the Rhine country. The
Singer Companyis warerooms are 10 be at
St Petersburg, but the factory will be at
Moscow, which is nearer the centre OF COM
mercial Russia than the other city. Be-
sides these mentioned, Mr.. Smith says that
three other large concerns, after sending
their lawyers TO Russia, are satisfied that
the field there is promising one, and war
rants the erection OF extensive manufac
tories.
American machinery will drive out Eng
lish and German machines within the next
ten years" said Mr.. Smith. when Ameri-
can machinery began 20 invade Russia, the
employers and the operatives we're doubt
full about its lasting quality. They had be-
come accustomed TO the clumsier and heav-
Ter machinery supplied by Great Britain.
and they feared that the lighter machines
from this country would break down and
become worthless.
They have discovered that the better
grade of material used in the construction
OF the American machines ensures their
dura bility while their lightness makes OPP
Grafton much easier and quicker Shortly
before coming away ] visited a factory
where English German, and American
lathes are used side by side. There is in
tense rivalry on the part of the Russian
workmen in this shop TO get assigned to
the Yankee machines. One manufacturer
told me that he had four times cut down
the wages OF the men on the American ma
chimes because they made so much more
money than their associates. He had TO
make the cut in order to allay the dis
content on the part OF the men running the
older German and English machines"
Mr. Smith, in consultation with Mr..
Crane. Of the Westinghouse Electric and
Manufacturing Company of Chicago. and
his brother, who is the English manager
for the company, was asked about the
truth OF the rumors alleging that Russia
had immediate designs on Persia and was
moving an army toward the Persian border,
he said. after some hesitation:
Il have lived for thirty -fiye years In
Russia, and am on intimate terms with
some OF the prominent men in that en-
pire. II should tell all have heard about
the somewhat interesting position occupied
by Teheran on the Russian war map it
would be likely TO embarraes me when
] get back home 10 Moscow and ! will
therefore have to be excused. Il is true
that Russia has ambitions 10 become a sea
power OF the first magnitude and IL Is also
true that Port Arthur is occupying the at
tention OF Russian statesmen TO an absorb
ing extent. There are six Russian admirals
.. Port Arthur at the present time, and
each admiral, OF course. has more than one
ship. IT is doubtful, however, about Japan
and Russia going TO war;"