Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-07-22
In the )
} WorIdCf Labor

At the present time the industries
of this section are very dull, and only
small portion of the mills and fac
tories are now working. There is one
class of manufacturing that will be idle
for some weeks, but this only pertains
to the glass factories, which have clos
ed down from six to eight weeks, as
the union requires this stop. The
iron and steel industries are very quiet,
and the demand for their products
is very light. This small demand has
caused many mills, including those
in the combine, to hesitate regard
ing the signing of the scale. This es-
pecially applies to the American Tin
Plate Company, who are holding back
on signing the scale, fer which there
are two reasons given; one is that
the combine has a large stock on
hands, with a dull market; the other
is that the scale asked by the workers
in the tin house department, better
known as the dipping and finishing de-
partment, is too high, and that re-
duction must be made before the
plants can resume. But with all these
excuses, which may be reliable, it is a
fact that at the present time both the
iron and tin industries have an over
production, which has caused a lull in
the market and has depressed both the
mills in the combine and the indie
pendent ones. At the present time,
the national campaign has cut no
figure, and all indications point to the
fact that all the manufacturer wants
is a market for his products, whether
1t be at home or abroad, but here is
where many small iron mills fall short,
owing to the fact that they are unable
to go into the foreign markets, as their
capital is small, and .ney must depend
on home consumption. 1t is hoped the
depressing effect of the late failures
in the business world, and a dull mar
ket, will soon be over and the mills
soon be on in full. There is one busi-
ness in this country that is now on the
boom, which is the coal industry. In
the last few weeks there has been a
decided advance lin all coal lands.
West Virginia and Pennsylvania lead
in this advance, and Ohio comes third.
This advance is caused by the trouble
in China, which is supposed will end in
war, and make a large demand for
coal, and as Europe has it's hands full
at present, in time of peace to furnish
coal sufficient, it is a we'll known fact
if war is made on China. the navies
and transports of the world would de-
mand large amount of coal, and that
the bulk of this would come from the
American mines, which would insure
a large boom in this business, giving
every miner steady employment and
good wages. The outlook of this war
has caused coal options to advance full
ly twenty-five per cent.
The Wheeling stamping works have
their full force of workmen fully en-
ployed.
The Stifel calico works in North
Wheeling. is rapidly nearing compile
ton, having large .orce of men en-
ployed fitting up the machinery.
W w. Woods, of this city. has Sc
cured the contract for rebuilding the
burned portion of the Fostoria glass
factory at Moundsvile.
The Whitaker is on in full and report
good demand for their products.
The Top mill stiIi remains iQ-e, and
like many others, nothing definite is
known as to when it will resume.
All the potteries in Wheeling are
working an enjoying a good trade
The Riverside is st4A not working;
the blast furnace is also Idle, and the
onIy department Tat is busily engaged
is the coke pant, but it is thought
this will close down soon. owing to the
fact no coke is being used. lie new
Improvements are being pushed rapid
w and no douht in the near fIIturn IL
wal be learned what exteisions will
be made.
The lower Benwood mill still remains
idle, and it has not been learned when
the plant will resume.
The Belmont mill is rapidly finishing
up its repairs. In few weeks the
furnace will be ready for operation. as
will also the otner departments, and
it is stated the m--- will resume as
soon as the repairs are finished, which