The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
MATCHES.
Results of Ingenious Machinery In
Cheapcning the Product.

Now York Sun.
1t was found a few years ago that each
of the inhabitants of Great Britain con-
sumed on an average eight matches a day.
The consumption in this country per capita
is considerably larger. though exact sta
tistics cannot be given because of Treasury
returns of the imports OF matches convey
no idea of the number brought into the
country. which is certainly large. The for
eign matches-are not so cheap as ours but
for one reason or another there is a con-
siderable demand for them.
If we figure on the British basis of eight
matches per capita a day the home con-
sumption is 6lO, s27. 096 matches a day. This
enormous figure may be accepted as ap-
proximately the home consumption OF
homemade matches in addition TO the for
eign matches that are found In all OF our
markets: but IL by no means represents
our total output. for a considerable guam
tity of American matches are sold IN Euro
pean and other countries.
Success in matchmaking. at the present
time. is largely a question OF machinery.
Matches are sold at a price so exceedingly
small that the manufacturers controlling
the best machinery for eliminating hand
labor and producing excellent matches at a
minimum cost have a great advantage in
trade. Ii is next TO impossible for one
match factory TO compete with another UNI
les IL IndCtlntIN II tIutlie III Al
cannot buy the machinery used I'm rival fac
tories for II is almost invariably the case
that "A manufacturing concern absolutely
controls the patents IL has thought IL adj
pete successfully I'm the match industry.
nowadays. 1t is practically essential TO own
machinery that is at least as perfect as any
used by rival establishments.
American matchmaking machines are
the best in the world, which accounts for
the success Of the American concern in
England the other day in absorbing the
plant and business of the largest British
establishment. In the meeting held for the
purpose OF voting upon the proposal 10
amalgamate the two concerns. the pres
ident OF the American company. addressing
the shareholders OF the British company.
told them plainly that though the Amer
lean enterprise had occupied the British
field only "A few years IL was competing
successfully with their own industry on
their own ground. largely for the reason
that American machinery was superior 70
that OF British invention.
our public is paying for matches to-day
less than half what IL paid twenty years
ago, though they were then regarded az
very cheap. Elderly persons can remember
the time when matches were husbandeo
with considerable care, for il did not take
very many Of them 20 represent the value
of "A cent. But now. thanks 10 machinery
and improved processes, nobody cares very
much how many matches he wastes try
ing to light his pipe on "A windy day. In
fact. matches are so cheap that the cost
OF supplying a great country with all the
matches IL wants does not reach any i'm
pressive figure. The total product OF all
our match factories Is sold Tor less than
l0.000,0o0 a year. which cuts "A very small
figure when II II remembered that the
value of the machines OF all kinds that are
produced in this country every year u
alone about 500. o.. 0i0. Match manufhc-
turing j. a small industry after all.
Not many establishments are required 10
turn out the matches this country needs.
over i'm New Jersey. only a few miles from
this city. there are two factories with a
capacity together Of 90.00.eOO matches a
day. The largest factory IN the country. at
BarbertOn. o. can turn out 100. 10000 ~
matches "A dav. probably n seventh OF the
entire
This country has "a great advantage IN
the abundance OF aspen. which tree IS SUI
perior To all other timber for mafch-mak-
ing on account OF its natural qualities and
the ease with which ir Is worked. IL Is
light. spongy and spiints easily. and
though pine. linden. birch and other woods
are also used IN this and other countries.
aspen is preferred TO them all. European
match manufacturers have been engaged
In a scramble for years To secure "A SUI
hcient quantity OF aspen. Germany Is i'm
porting from Russia every year about
100000 cubic feet Of aspen 20 supplement
her own supplies.
4 while ago the German manufacturers
petitioned the minister Of agriculture and
forestry TO cause the foresters in the dis
tricts where match factories are situated 10
give more attention 20 raising the aspen.
a similar appeal has been made 10 their
government by the OF France.
Russian manufacturer have been opposed
10 the wholesale depletion OF their forests
by foreign ~atchma and have not
been slow 10 appeal to their government
- stop the expectation OF aspen. For
tunately for our the home
supply OF aspen Is very large and the wood
Is little used for other manufacturing pur-
poses.