Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-11-11
WILp DEMAND For BRAcELETs
Product of Factories for the Year
sold Out and orders
Coming In.

Jewlery manufacturers are having the
time OF their lives trying 10 I'LL orders
which have rushed upon them to an OK
tent never before known in the trade
This was the report given out by every
maker Of gold and silver jewelry within
the last few days. with most Of the
plants operated day and night the demand
cannot be supplied A scarcity of skilled
workmen is one Of the conditions, ana
this has led to advances in wages
The Maiden Lane district of New Y orlI
is the outlet through which is sold not
only the product Of the New York fac
tories, but also OF various other cities.
The manufacturers whose sslesrooms arc
here and who have factories in Newark,
Providence, the Attleboros and other
cities, say that the situation at all OF
these places Is similar to that in New
York. In eastern cities where cheaper
average grades Of jewelry arc made the
stress is said to be even greater.
Some of the manufacturers say that
they have been compelled to refuse further
orders which called for deliveries before
the holidays, as the output is sold up to
next year. Retailers from all parts of
the country have been coming on to New
York in large numbers in order TO urge
deliveries, many offering cash payments
in the hope OF getting their supplies more
quickly.
Bracelets arc given as the direct cause
of the strain upon the factories. Although
other kinds OF ornaments are being made
in large quantities, the bracelet output
is said to exceed numerically, and per-
haps in value, all the others put together
Numerous factories have this season boon
converted from other lines Of jewelry to
the manufacture of bracelets. Every
thing else in many shops is being showed
aside TO increase the production of them.
An odd circumstance is that simultan-
eously with the home demand for brace
lets in sll parts OF the United States, the
jewellers report a cry of the same kind
from South America. Cuba and the Phil
ipplnes. lands in which American jewelry
has been meeting with much favor in
late years On the other hand importers
at New York have been bringing here an
increased valuation of 1ewelry from
Paris, but this is mostly of the finer
grades. The duty is so per cent ad
valorem.
Statesmen and parts of ONCE forces have
been put to work at the benches. Several
prominent manufacturers of Maiden Lane
have brought their wives and daughters
to the shops. and many married women,
who as girls worked in the factories,
have again turned their hands to the
speclalties in which they formerly ac-
auired skill
Retail jewellers, in some instances, have
installed small shops in any available
room in or near their stores for the spe-
cial purpose of turning out bracelets. Su-
perior hand work is being done in some
of these small shops, and this appeals
to people who look for designs that no.
body else wears.
Manufacturers say that large proper
tion Of the best workmen in the factories
came from the European jewelry centers
years ago, and, while their ranks have
been gradually depleted by deaths and
other causes. American boys have not
stepped forward i'm sufficient numbers TO
I'LL their places. Apprentices are not in
these times encouraged By other en-
ployes, II is said.
"workmen were glad in the old days
said a manufacturer who rose from the
bench, Ito teach the boys who came into
the shops as apprentices That disposi-
ton is now rare. This is one reason, l
think, why boys are moro disposed to
enter offices than to learn trades,"--New
! York Sun.