Evening journal., 1911-07-03
TANNERS TREATED
l42.OOO,OOO HIDES
Census figures for 1909 Indi-
cate Industry Gained
Largely Over 1904
DECREASE In SOLE
LEATHER PRODUCTION

WASHINGTON. July 3.-A prelimi-
nary statement Of the number of hides
and skins tanned and quantity Of
leather manufactured, as reported for
the Thirteenth United States Census
for the year 1909. has been issued by
the Acting Director of the Census. The
figures prepared under the direction
of the chief statistican for manufac-
turers are preliminary and subject to
such revision as may be necessary af-
ter a further examination of the origi-
nal reports.
The reports from the establishments
We're taken for the calender year end
ed December 81. 1909, wherever the
system Of bookkeeping permitted fig
ures for that year to be secured, but
in case the fiscal year of an estab-
lishment differed from the calendar
year a report was obtained of its
operations during the fiscal period
falling most largely within the calen-
dar year 1909.
The word establishment" as used
in the Thirteenth Census, is defined
as meaning one or more factories or
plants owned, controlled, or operated
by person, partnership, corporation,
or other owner or operator, located In
the same town or city, and for which
one set of books of account is kept.
Over I42,OO0,O0O Hides Treated.
The report covers the tanning. cur
rying. and finishing of leather. Some
establishments do tanning only while
others curry and finish the leather and
others carry on all branches of the in
dustry.
There we're 1O49 establishments re-
ported in 1904 and 951 in 1903, a de-
crease Of 9 per cent, which, however
is not an indication Of a decrease in
( the industry. as the number of hides
/ treated increased from 18,542 600 in
/ 1904 to 2O,557 600 in 1909, or II pei
cent The number of skins treated
/ increased from 112,417 900 to 122,-
! 10000, or Q per cent.
The number of hides sold as rough
! leather decreased from 2054,000 in
1904 to S29,0 900 in 1909 or 60 per cent
! This apparently indicates a tendency
I to combine the various branches ol
| the industry and to carry the leather
to a higher stage of manufacture ir
the same establishment, illustrated in
part by the increase in rough grains
and splits and in upper leather. The
quantity of rough grains increased
/ from 259,O00 to 31S.000 sides. or % pei
cent The number of rough splits in
creased from 2,365,OOO to 2,966,00l
sides. or 25 per cent.
Decrease In Sole Leather.
! The production of sole leather de.
! creased from II 93S,000 sides in 1905
to II. .S96 600 sides in 1909. This was
/ due entirely to the decrease in hem
lock leather. for which there were
9 $780, 900 sides reported in 1904 an'
100000 in 1909, a decrease of p
per cent
The quantity of oak sole leather in
creased from 3.60S 900 to 3.S48.00
sides. or per cent. and of uniol
leather from 4.400 600 to 5.797 00
sides. or 80 per cent Chrome leathe
was not reported separately in 1904
and II is probable that the small
amount manufactured was included II
one of the other classes. There wer'
2S1 900 sides reported for 1909.
It is significant that hemlock-tan
ned sole leather decreased 1,960,00
sides. or 20 per cent. while sol'
leather tanned by the union process
increased 1897 600 sides, or 80 pc
cent Oak-tanned sole leather in
creased 240 600 sides, or Z per cent.
There was a decided increase in tn
quantity of upper leather manufau
tured. The number of sides or grain
satin, pebble and similarly finishel
leather increased from 6,S5O,000 to 8
053 .000 or Is per cent The numbe
of finished splits increased from 6.
POS 900. to $4,000. or 80 per cent
Patent and enameled shoe leather in
creased from 1.357O00 to l2.7O5 900
sides, or 80 per cent There was
slight decrease i'm the number of col
skins and horsehides from 1,529,00
in 1904 to 1.343,OO0 in 1909. or 70 pc
cent The number Of calf and XII
skins tanned and finished increase
from 1856 900 to 1881 900. or 5
per cent OF these skins. grain fin
ished show the greatest gain, 1907 90
sides. or 70 per cent.
Ice Cream for the FOurth Coxo's