The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-05-01
W. Va. Manufactures
Show Unusual Gains

products Of the states glass manufac-
lures increased from s~7.S72.OOO to
s7.TTs.00O. or more than quadrupled.
The coke industry includes only
establishments operating coke ovens
for the manufacture OF coke from coal
or slack. The manufacture OF coke
at gas houses Is hot included. Since
1888 there has been a decrease in
h number of establishments in this
industry. but increases have occurred
both in the average number of wage
employed and in the value
of products. In 1909 West Virginia
occupied second place among the
states in the tonnage of coke pro-
duced and third in the value of the
output. The increased activity OF the
iron and steel industry during recent
years has given an added impetus to
the production OF coke in the state.
The total value of products reported
for this industry in 1909 was S1,563,-
900, which vas more than double that
shown for 1899.
Owing to the comparatively simple
processes involved in the -four mills
and grist mills. and in the tanning,
currying and finishing of leather. as
well as the extent TO which these
processes are carried on by machin-
cry. the value added by manufacture
and the number OF wage earners en-
ployed in these industries are not
commensurate with the gross value
of the products. On the other hand,
steam railroad repair shops. which
rank seventh. and the manufacture Of
pottery. terra Gotta and fire clay pro-
ducts, which ranks tenth among the
industries whe measured by value
OF products, occupy third and sixth
places. respectively. in the number
OF wage earners employed, and fourth
and seventh places. respectively,
when measured by value added by
manufacture.
In fact, the lumber industry and
the steel works and rolling mills are
the only two of the six leading indus
tries which hold the same relative
rank when measured by value added
by manufacture as when measured
by value OF products.
OF the total number of person en-
gagged in all manufacturing Industries
6.3 per cent were proprietors and Of
hcials. 4.3 per cent clerks n S9.4
per cent wage earners.
Wage Farmers Hours.
For more than two-thirds of the
wage earners employed in the states
industries the usual hours Of labor
range from 81 to GO a week. only
1872 per cent Of the total working in
establishments where the Prevailing
hours were less than 81 a week. or
7 10 "a No. ga-W L.
the hours were in excess of 90 per
week.
Wheellns's Manufactures.
Wheeling. the largest and most i'm.
portant city in the state. shows a re-
markable diversity Of manufacturing
The total value of its products in
creased 446 per cent during the
earlier five year period. as compared
with an increase Of only 2t.2 per cent
from 1904 to 1909. The principal
industries in 1909 were galvanizing.
steel works and rolling mills. blast
furnaces. @breweries and the manufac-
ture OF patent medicines. tin plate
and tenerplate and tobacco products
These seven industries combined
contributed G9.2 per cent of the total
value OF manufactured products of
the metropolis of the state.
The " leading industries in Mar.
tinsburg were the manufacture OF
hosiery and knit goods and Of wooden
goods. and in .Iueheld steam railroad
repair shops and -four mill and grist
mill products.
Parkersburg SHOWS a gain in value
OF products OF i5.j per cent during
n tho TuAF Er-. a..-u -.- "a d.
per cent from 1899 20 1904.
Nearly % per cent Of the total
number Of establishments were in
1909 under corporate ownership. az
against - per cent under an other
forms. The corresponding figures IN
1904 were SOB per cent and C9.7
per cent. respectively.
or the total 1.G72.942.Oo0 feet of
board measure Of rough lumber pro.
duced In the state In 1909. 9h5.g47
was hardwood.
or The combined rolled. forged and
other classified products which IN 1903
contributed S9.j per cent Of the value
Of all products. skelp was the most
important The increase Of sS2 Der
cent from 1900 20 1909 in the tofaI
tonnage Of rolled. forged and other
classified products indicates a decid.
cd growth In the industry after The
poor business year Of 1905 The Tin
plate and t"rneplate industry IS close.
ly allied 10 the steel works and roll
INK mills. During 1909 there were
~'S9.239.233 pounds ~ Tin plate.
valued az SG.3Cn.SSu and cN.sG7.N23
pounds 81 terneplate. valued al
&~2.5Gf.21F. produced in tho state.
The value OF pressed and blown
glass. the most important product In
1903. AZ measured hy value. fn.
creased st.cS5 SOB. 81 Cfa per cent
from 1909 20 ~. that ~ buIIdinp
glass. S1.f21.221. or 100 per cent
end that n bottles. jars. sfc gft5f9
or 20 per cent