Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-11

A number of Newark manufacture
ers are very much handicapped by
the war, as they are unable to import
needed supplies. In some instances a
complete shutdown seems imminent.
Some manufacturers, though, have
been fortunate enough to obtain a
supply of raw material that will en-
able them to continue, in spite of the
war, for some time TO come.
One of the most fortunate of these
concerns is the Heller & Merz Co.,
manufacturers of ultra marine colors.
In their processes they are compelled
to use nitric of soda. This is a
product of nitrate of soda. The
nitrates are mined in Chile and con-
veyed to England, where they are
converted into nitrates. Afterward
they are transhipped to the United
States.
Nitrates are contraband of war, and
cannot at this time be shipped here
1t happened that the Heller & Merz
Co. has a sufficient amount to use for
the next five months. If the war ia
not ended by that time, they will be
compelled to shut their factory down.
Carl Merz, the factory superintend-
ent, SAID today that the company
could sell all of this they had at such
a profit that it would paw them to do
so and shut down. The price has
arisen from five to forty cents a
! pound. Mr.. Merz said, however, that
his concern would not take advantage
of the remarkable increase in the
value of the material, but would con-
| tinue to use it as they had formerly.
No Price Increase.
! Nor would the company increase the
price of their products, he said. 1t
| was decided that in fairness to the
company's customers they would
make no advance in their market
! quotations, and continue to deliver
| their goods until the supply was ex-
| hausted.
Manufacturers who use hard woods
| in their plants will find themselves
| confronted with a decided shortage
within ten days. Forty lumber COM
| panies have decided to curtail their
| production because of the situation in
| Europe. Many mills will close en-
| tirely, it is said, and others will re-
| duce their forces.
| Heller Brothers Company, manufac-
| turers of files, crucible cast steel and
| farriers' tools, have shut their fac
| tory for three weeks. II is usual at
| this period to shut down the factory
| for two weeks for the purpose of max
| ing an inventory. Disturbed business
| conditions, arising out of the Euro
| pean situation, have caused the direc-
| tors of the company to extend the
usual shutdown for an extra week
1t was said, however that the exports
of this factory formed but small
part of the business. and In conse-
! ~ L. 1,.fx, .-I.
| fected by the war.
Peter Campbell, treasurer of the
Marin Linoleum Company, said today
that the business of his concern had
been seriously affected by the war.
! He would be completely cut off from
! the base of his main supply, he said.
"Jute, cork and colors are essential
in our business" said Mr.. Campbell.
Germany is the great manufactures
| of colors. We are completely cut
off from that source, and are likely
| to be for some time to come.
"Our cork comes from Spain, Por-
| tugal and South Africa. Our jute
comes from Scotland, and we expect
a shipment in the near future. But
there is a bright side to the present
situation. Our lies in the fact that
buyers in this country will realize
that our product is Just as good, and
in some instances a great deal bet
ter, than the imported linoleums.
| Better Basis Later.
After we recover from the first
Generalization I believe that bust
ness will be placed on a firmer and
better basis in this country"
This is the attitude taken by most
of the business men in Newark. All
of them declare that there is a SPLEEN
did future for the country's business
They believe that when the present
trouble has passed away there will
be a great demand for goods man
ufactured in this country.
Edward Weston, president OF the
Weston Electrical Implement Com.
pany, which has a large plant In
Berlin and another in London, said
that the war had practically put ar
end to the business of his concern
abroad. He had been unable to ge
into communication with his repre-
sentatives abroad.
"The situation is a very distress
ing one" said Mr.. Weston. "W'
have been compelled to reduce ou