Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-05-08
SARDINE PACK.
GOOD SEASON EXPECTED FOR
THIS MAINE INDUSTRY.
PROBABLE COMPETITION BETWEEN THE
TRUST AND INDEPENDENT PLANTS
SEVERAL NEW FACTORIES.

and Hancock county coasts are turned
toward the outlook for the sardine can
ming season. With the opening OF the
season near at hand, it is possible to
gather some idea of the prospects.
Natural conditions promise very favor
ably, and II difficulties between the syn
dictate and the individual packers are
are avoided, the season will, it is believed,
prove most successful one.
But there is quite question as to the
relations of the syndicate end the indie
pendent packers, and one that is causing
q great deal of discussion. That the sit
nation is somewhat strained, there can be
no doubt. The legislative fight the past
winter between the two factions did not
naturally add greatly to the cause OF har-
mony, and a recent move on the part OF
the Sea Coast Packing Co., has set the in
dependent packers guessing.
A short time ago the Sea Coast Co. issued
circulars to the jobbers and offered to sell
to all buying Ia oils before June /, a SINH
lar number after June at g 80 per case.
Asthe present price is s5 so per case. the
price to parties purchasing now and after
June would in effect be s4,00. 1t Is the
real Significance of this move that is
bothertng the competitors of the Sea
Coast 20.
Al independent pscker says that in his
opinion it is the purpose Of the company
~ make the price e so after the first of
June, and then to enter the market as
buyers as we'll as sellers. Should such
plan be carried into effect, it can readily
be seen that the result would prove an I'M
pleasant one to the new factories that are
about to start in the season ON limited
capital. Such factories would be unable
10 manufacture all the season without
disposing OF their goods, and would need
to sell their goods as produced in order
u handle the running expenses. Thus, If
THESE factories are obliged to sell at less
than the cost OF manufacture, the season
would prove far from profitable one for
them.
That there are very considerable num-
Der OF independent factories preparing to
operate the coming season Is unques-
toned, and it is the opinion of the packer
quoted that the Sea Coast Co. proposes to
adopt stringent methods to convince some
OF these individual packers that the voca-
ton is not one pleasure excursion or
exactly mint.
On the other hand, there are others Of
the outside packers who hold the view
that the move is a bluff on the part of
the syndicate, advanced for the purpose
OF frightening out OF the business some
OF the individual packers who have been
planning to open factories this season.
They argue that "a case for IA oils is
a good fair price, and do not believe that
the price will be lowered later on.
But while all manner of gossip is cir
culating on the outside, the officials Of
the Sea Coast Co. keep very discreet ST.
lence. General Manager Emery said that
he regarded the prospects as very hatter-
ing at the present time for good season.
There Is a better prospect OF fish than for
several summers, and there is a fair de-
mand.
The Sea Coast Co. is already making
some very decided alterations and i'm
provements in its factories. One of the
few steps Is the substitution of dryers for
ovens in tue larger factories. This is
done for the purpose OF improving the
} quality. The ovens, 1t Is stated, have a
tendency to scorch or burn the fish, while
the dryers take the moisture from the
fish, which are then fried i'll oil Mr..
Emery states that the result is much
firmer and more palatable fish.
Additions are being put on to the
Wolff, Leland, Mccullough and Burnham
factories at Eastport, and dryers are being
installed. AT Lubec, dryers are being put
in three or four OF the larger factories and
work is at present going on in. putting in
larger boiler in the new power plant
that is being installed. Dryers will also
be put in at the Brooklin/an Robbinston
factories. By these alterations. the capac-
ity OF the Leland factory will be doubled
Z and that of the Mccullough factory in
creased about rs per cent. The capacity oil
the Wolff factory will be increased to some
1900 cases day. The Kemp factory will
be used as can shop, and will employ in
the neig borhood OF seventy five hands.
Mr.. Emery denied the report that the
syndicate does not propose to open all its
factories the coming season. All the FAC
tories OF the company will be operated II
asufficient supply of fish can be obtained
Last summer there were some forty fac
tories carried on by the Sea Coast Co.
Mr.. Emery said that he should not DC
surprised II the companies pack reached
1000, 600 cases he coming season, although
last season but little rising that hgure
was packed in Washington county. From
1. this fece the claim was made that the nsh
were leaving Washington county ana
moving to the westward. The sardine
packers took but very little stock in such
statements, well remembering that IN the
past seasons the fish have practically lett
the waters OF Washington county only TO
1t Saves His Leg.
d Danforth Of LAGRANGE, Ca, SUI