The Washington times., 1915-09-26

y WIN reports current AT one time OF
another since the outbreak of the Eu-
ropean war, accrediting practically
every machine manufacturing corpora
ton Of any proportions In this country
with participation in the production OF
war materials. stockholders in the Mer-
genthaler Linotype Company. many OF
whom reside in Washington. have been
inQuiring whether that corporation was
benefiting in any manner from war
ORDERS" and to what extent.
The Mersenthaler Company Is pro.
ducings both at Its American plant at
Brooklyn and In its British plant. ma
terials which are going into munitions.
From this business the company Is
making a "satisfactory" profit. and.
coupled with the improvement In the
demand for linotype machines. It has
served to raise the corporations ac-
tivities from the stagnated state which
existed during the first year Of the war.
While the company has fully earned
its regular dividend Of 10 per cent, II Is
not to be expected that the extra .divi-
dends which were suspended last March
will be resumed this year.
These facts The Times has obtained
from parties in close touch with the
officials Of the Mergenthaler Company.
The Mergenthaler Linotype Company %
States. Great Britain. and Germany.
The war. business that has come to
the American plant has not been
through direct governmental contract
sists of the production of parts for
other companies engaged in making
munitions. Not even the officials .oi
the company are, apprised of the ulti-
mate use to which much Of the mater
ial that is being turned out will be put
From these orders 1t Is sad that q
.'satisfactory' profit is being derived
but the business is not returning the
become accustomed to attach to any
and all production FOR war purposes.
The English Mergenthaler plant has
Eeefn taken overtby the British govern
cordance WITH this act which enable.
the government to make use Of an.
factory capable Of producing mum
tons. the plant is being run under the
ernment. The company. like others
whose factories have been utilized. re
ceives its average profits from h,!si-
ness and certain percentage In addi
ton as q bonus.
Whether this arrangement yields {
larger income than would be obtained
from the production of linotype ma
chimes in normal times. Is not known
but it is understood that i Is muci I
has been making since the outbreak o
the war
The German plant has been the mos
unsatisfactory factor In the Mergenthal
er system. as the lack of demand To-
linotypes in that country has left tn
business practically at standstill. ant
the German government being wei
provided with munit!on factories, ma
not had occasion to give the compan.
any such business.
The demand for linotypes in this coun
try has been restored in large measure
and the output at present is said to b
about three-fourths of normal. Tn
number of machines disposed Of durin
the last month covered by reports In
creased materially over the prevtou
month.
The week has served to develop
much more optimistic feeling In finan
cial and business circles general
throughout the country.
Through the Frye note the German gov
ernment has given a further pledge o
modification of Its submarine warfar
to comply with American demands: tn
negotiations relative to the propose
Anglo o-French credit are progressin
in q manner 30 satisfactory As prac
ticallv to assure the eventual success
Of the project. and internal condition
show marked Improvement.
Germany gave evidence Friday of tn
sincerity of its professions regardin
treatment OIL fneTCndntTnen tnTOuSn III
manner in which the British stcame
Anglo-Columbian was dealt with. /
this instance the submarine, II report
be true. went further than the diplc
matte communications from the imperit
government had assured: the U-bos
was compelled to chase its quar-
seventy-eight miles. but even then
gave to the crew ample opportunity
take to life-boats before sending tt
steamer to the bottom.
With regard to the loan 1t Is unde
stood that the Anglo-French ,commi
sioners and the American conferet
have practically determined upon $500
100000 as the amount which will be a,
vanced. and the negotiations are no
said to be waiting upon reply fro
British Chancellor McKenna befol
whom the proposals threshed out
conference have been laid.
Bradstreets weekly report commen
on improvement in practically all lin,
OF domestic business. and the develo,
ment of better purchasing dispositio
on the part Of the public.
The steady Improvement in the ste
industry has led TO reports that interes
headed by william E. Corey, form
president Of the United States Ste
Corporation, which have purchased II
Midvaie Steel Company. will make tn
property the nucleus Of new cor
rany which will engage extensively
munition manufacturing. and rumo
are current of a still larger combine
Independent steel compa MES to rival Il
Steel Corporation.
News dispatches relate that announc
ments have been made by the lar
steel companies of Pennsylvania to d
effect that they are filled with orde
will accept orders only for the year 49,
Orders for next wear are said fo