News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-11-11
HIDE MARKET SHORT
Local Tannery Not Effected at Present

The following item appearing in the
state press is of special interest locally,
as the shortage of hides in the country,
on account of the European war, will
naturally effect one of Morrisvile's prin-
cipal industries, if the condition is not re-
lieved soon.
The tannery at Bethel started work
October %. 1t is now planned to run
through as many hides as are in stock,
but it is not certain that additional sup
plies can be obtained. The Bethel tan
merry used to get most OF its hides from
Russia, but now the Russian trade is cut
OFT The first ship with hides to enter a
United States port since the war began
sailed into New York harbor asst week.
Most OF the big tanneries about Boston
and New York have closed because they
found it impossible to obtain hides The
direct result of thisshortage may be
seen in the advance in the price of shoes.
c. H. Slocum, of the Warren Leather Co.
says the condition of the hide market
is as stated above. but hopes the situa-
tion will not continue long enough to
| cripple the business in the Compapy's
tannery here. He says they now have a
sufficient supply ofraw hides to last until
December and possibly January next.
Should the shortage continue for a longer
period it would not necessarily mean the |
closing down of he industry as it would
take many months to finish the stock al |
ready in process OF tanning but it might |
necessitate cutting down the force some
what.
Mr. Slocu n thinks the embargo on cat
tie in many states on account of the foot
and mouth disease. while tying up the
shipment to markets would not diminish
the domestic supply of hides.
Referring to letter received from
Chicago firm by the Warren Leather
Co, the buyers there state that they
have been through the market very thor
oughly and find they cannot get either
extreme or buff hides, dealers claiming
that they are SO closely taken up that
they have nothing to SELL
An idea of the high price of hides at the
present time was given the writer by
bill received last Friday by the Warren
Leather Co. 1t was for about 75O hides
and amounted TO 81, ,5OO or about $40
a hide. The often repeated statement that
one could buy a better pair OF shoes ten
ysars ago tor $3.50 than can be pur-
chased for So 90 today is easy to believe
in view of the big advance in leather. On
the other hand other commodities that
enter into the tanning of leather have
not advanced and owing o the stagnant
condition of the lumber market, bark
is dollar cord cheaper than usual
A visit to the local tannery would be
surprise to many Morrisville people, who
may not be aware that this industry is
one of the most up-to- date in this line in
New England. They have large amount
of the new labor saving machinery and
turn out as much finished leather today
with force of 55 men as could be pro-
duced by double this number of men in |
t he old days. /
DR.. Connolly of Burlington, an in t
spector in the interests of the campaign Ii
against the foot and mouth disease, is in
town today, looking over two car loads t
of hides that came from New York and b
New Hampshire. I