davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

In finishing leather. feels keenly ~.
inability Of the leather manufactures,
to secure hides from Russia. Asia N-,.
and Persia. and at the same tim" tho.
inability to ship and the decreased d,..
mand for he finished product in Enron,
Leather manufacturers arc divided az ,,
the immediate prospect IN Their limo
number report the outlook FOR earl, .,.
creased business good while others apo
still pesslmistic.
with the railroads buying moro .fi,.
plies conditions are improving gr.du.
ally In the foundry and machine shors
and the car construction and ron, .r
shops. Our shipyards. too. are h.,..tr.
ing busy. the Harlan Il tlollinsV,.b
Corporation now constructing two lt,,a
tank steamers for an English cpmp,nv
"Of the concerns that are ruuutr
full capacity. I might mention IN.
Electric Hose and Rubber COMPANY. c,,-
pioying two shifts. day and night. and
the Edge Moor Iron Company. mann.
trades there is the usual amount IN,
spring activity. Retail merchants a.
port their trade fairly satisfactory. sur.
prisingly so considering the long pofiod
Of depression. from which We believe W.
are emerging think II fair 10 state
however, that practically the entire m.
crease in manufacturing activity and 'bs
demand for labor locally is due 10 orders
directly or indirectly connected with 10
European war, abnormal war trade in a
word
WILMINGTON. Del.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
"SMOKE IN CHIMNEYS."
ny CHARLES r. ~. JOHNSON.
President Of the Tnssnic Board of
Trade.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sir'
BUSINESS Ii better The hum OF the
loom. the smoke in the chimney and the
morning and evening parade to and
from the mill all attest to the fact that
business Is better. Passaic Is typically
an American Industrial city OF the type
that helps make this the most prosper
Gus country.
Passaic manufacturers. employing
from twenty 10 twenty-five thousan nd OPP
eratives. producing principally cottons.
woollens. rubber goods. metalware,
steel. handkerchiefs and various kinAe
Of textiles, felt the eNect OF the draseic
and unnatural tariff severely. Pay POLLS
dwindled. the number - employed and
number OF days each worked became
less and less. and. OF cour1A the effect
was progressive and strusk the mer-
chant and business man because Of the
reduced buying power ~ our population
The speD1pl mako things hetfa r.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
BOOM ON IN HARTFORD.
ny ID. VI. WRIGHT.
President of the Hartford Hon I'd
Of Trade.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir. Tina
predictions made last fan that the curve
OF business had commenced an upward
trend is being fully borne out by pres
ent day facts.
In Hartford there is to-day less avail.
able empty factory floor space than for
any period in years. There are more
men employed In the manufacturing i'm
dustry than ever before. There is n
greater percentage of extension of work.
ing floor space by cstabl shed factories
than ever before ana there appears 10
be no reason in sight for an obstruction
to the present progress.
Among the recent manufacturing in
creascs in Hartford are the following.
Pratt Il Whitney Company, makers
of high grade machinery and tools, have
taken over the works formerly occu.
pied by the Pope Manufacturing Com
pany and are filling them with new
equipment and men as rapidly as prac-
teal, to be operated as an addition to
their present extensive works
The Billings a Spencer Company,
maker OF drop forgings, machinery and
tools, purchased the large plant formerly
occupied by the Columbia Motor Car
Company and are making extensive al
teratlonS. repairs and additions prior to
occupancy. giving them several times
the space ,r1ch they now occupy.
TN CMnrlsn ~huck Company
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
BUFFALO TRADE VARIES.
Ivy HERBERT \. MELDRVM.
President Of the RuNaIO Chan he Y
Of Commerce..

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sir.
Opinions OF Buffalo manufacturers vary
considerably as to whether business has
definitely turned the corner and I'm
proved conditions now prevail. The pre-
ponderance Of opinion is.that business
actually has improved, but its stability
is still In doubt.
one of our largest concerns. which
does national business. dealing prin-
cipally In household requirements. de-
clareS that a. present II cannot admit
that business Is improving Their report
IL that the many business men with
whom they come into daily contact are
feeling very blue and that discourage
ment Is in the air.
ON the other hand. one OF the largest
concerns OF this country manufacturing
household utensils reports that its husl-
ness in March was ahead OF March.
1914, that its February business was
ahead of February last year. and that
for January Of this year they fell behind
less than per cent over January II
last year. This firm states that there
IL a general feeling of surprise thar
business is AS good as il Is. and that II
interests generally did not entertain he
idea that these conditions could not
last there would be general agreement
that the outlook Is excellent.
The retail trade IL very satisfactory.
and in many instances shows gains over
last springs business,
All Industries turning out products
formerly obtained from Europe, hut now
not available. are working overtime. \
striking and Impressive development. and
one that gives promise of permarcncy. I.
now eliminating as a result Of intensive
experimenting done by concerns all ovel
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
HAVE TURNED CORNER.
ny JOHN $. HOLBROOK.
President Of the Providence Cha m =
her of Commerce.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir:
Your telegram was read at a well at
tended meeting OF the Committee OF One
Hundred OF the Providence Chamber Of
Commerce. The committee represents
all the different trades and professions
OF this pre- sperous, industrial zone OF
nearly half a million people. The con-
scnsus OF opinions as expressed from
the floor II that business conditions
have definitely turned the corner" for
the better and that the prospects are
hopeful
Providence building operations for the
first three months OF 1915 are reported
as 60 per cent. greater than was the
case last year. our only apprehen sion
is scarcity ~ dye stuNs.
ON one or two previous occasions when
our business men have been asked their
opinion as 10 tho prospects for better
business conditions they have been hope
ful because OF their optimism perhaps
too hopeful. hut at this time the hopetul
expression which is quite general seems
e. he well founded on a steady upward
movement which began about the mid.
die OF February.
PROVIDENCE. X. I.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
SHOE TRADE HARD HIT.
ny WILLIAM LIPTLER.
Secretary OF the BrOckton Cha m he 2
Of Commerce.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-S,r:
Brocktons leading industry Is the
manufacture OF high grade shoes. The
city has been and is severely affected
by the business depression. As men
buy cheaper shoes when times are dull,
the prosperity OF Brockton may be
taken as a reflex of generally prosper
Gus conditions throughout the country.
As result of the high reputation OF
Brockton shoes. our shoe industry has
kept up fairly well and IN some re-
spects local conditions are said to be
better than In Western shoe centres.
but at the present time business is FAR
below normal and we have a large army
OF shoe workers out OF employment.
while those AZ work are mostly on short
time
l should say there is no particular
evidence that business has turned tho
corner in the shoe industry. though
some New England factories are busy
on contracts for army shoes. which
they have taken TO keep their help at
work. Generally speaking. retailers
have large stocks on hand and are buy
ing from hand 10 mouth. so that sales
men on the road report business as
very slow and do not expect any great
Improvement for months 10 come Under
such conditions all We can do is TO pur-
sue a waiting policy. conscious that
when business does improve the Eject
will speedily be apparent IN this city.
Just now We do not feel we have
turned the corner, nor could local senti-
men; be correctly described as optimistic.
We are in a Mica wberesque attitude OF
waiting for something TO turn up
BRockToN, Mass.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
TRADE POOR IN NEWARK
Ky v. HANBtRG.
President OF the Newark, '. j.,
Board OF Trade.

To THE EpiToR or THE SvS--Sir, In
this centre Of industry with 500 manu-
featuring plants operating, engaged IN
$50 distinct lines OF manufactures. con-
dit,ons are to-day not satisfactory. In
tervlews with many leading manufac-
turers taken collectively would indicate
the majority operating on about a -
per cent capacity. only a few show
any positive sign Of Improvement, some
of these being engaged in filing orders
frCm abroad
The leather industry, with siNty-fva
concerns operating. continues very dull
Machinery manufacturers report a good
export business. but home market Is
stagnant, Metal goods manufacturers
are operating on three-quarter clpaciry
with no prospect for improvement; in
sight.
In all lines Of jewelry, with over l75
concerns. apparently the same report
IN given--exceedinsly dull. conditions
anything hut satisfactory, little or not
prospect for Improvement Chemical
manufacturers report increased con
sumption with indications OF a return To
prosperous conditions in severa! lines OF
industry
"FinIng orders only" IL the report
from shoe manufacturers. brush max
ers, hutton makers and novelty manu-
facturers. In the foundry industry con-
r1,ions continue depressed and dun,
Paint and color manufacturers report
trade conditions prospe'oue with or
d-rs ahead of last year tho Narnish
industry slow, averaging less than -
per cent. of normal. indicating the poor
condition in all Woodworking lines,
furniture, pianos cabinet work. &c
Bank loans indicate a stagnaut CON
dition among manufacturers generally.
BANKERS report little or no demand for
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
IN PENNSYLVANIA.
WAR BUSINESS GOOD.
Ky NEIL n. SINCLAIR.
Managing Secretary of the Will
mingtOn Chamber Of Commerce..

To THE EDITOR or THE SrN---Sir.
President John j. Satterthwait OF the
Chamber OF Commence here, comment
ing on business conditions in his city
said
While business In Wilmington, both
manufacturing and mercantile. is still be-
10" normal, gradual imp ,vement can
be noted during the past three months
one or tn" surest indications in this
direction IL the d!scontinusnoe OF a tenn
porary employment bureau conducted
Jointly by the Chamber of Commerce
ana the Central Labor Union Organ
lied during the winter the emplovment
bureau sought to find employment for
the scores OF laborers who have been
without work for months The demand
Tor laborers had increased sufficiently
two weeks ago TO warrant the closing "
the bureau,
Wilmington has fortunately ben
benefited by the heavily Increased de-
mand for explosives during the Eurl-
pean war. The three largest power
companies in the country. the DUPONT.
Hercules and Atlas, have their main
o!nces here, These concerns naturally
are not only operating to full capacity.
but the largest company, the DUPONT In
Increasing the size of many ~ it's nearby
plants, and SO furnishing work for hun.
dreds OF engineers and skilled laborers
Local industries which supply ma
chinery and machine parts for the now
der companies are Of course quite busy
The existing industrial depression in
wilmington Is caused mainly nv tho
slack conditions existing in the leather,
glazed kid and morocco trade Wi.
m'nston' close second TO Philadelphia
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

known all over the world as makers OF
machine chucks. are now occupying
their new factory in Windsor street
giving them more than double their for
mer space.
Tho Garvan Paper Company has pur-
chased and are now occupying the plant
formerly operated by the rope Tube
Company. giving them very much
larger floor space.
The Fem Company. new corpora =
ton. Is now occupying the factory for
merly operated by the Dwight Slate
Machine Works.
Other manufacturing concerns have
made additions.
The total increase In occupied floor
space for factory purposes In the past
Ave months In Hartford Ii approx
mateay 100000 square feet. and there
are about 1000 more men employed.
and there IL at present a brisk demand
for more skilled mechanics.
The activity in the Hartford district
Ia in a large measure due to the de-
mand from foreign countries, but there
Ia an increasing demand from strictly
domestic sources. and many factories
have been running overtime for several
months past. One factory that en-
ployed 1880 men two months ago now
employs $500. and expect to increase to
1000 as fast A. they can prepare for
them. Overtime work IL getting to be
more and more frequent
A few small concerns are doing less
than normal business, and one large
company whose business was adversely
affected by the war 10 running fewer
hours than normal. although employing
It's full quota OF men.
Tho local Manufacturers Employment
Bureau reports:
The demand for skilled mechanics
has far exceeded the supply, and we
have been in the past and are being
still called upon for many highly skilled
mechanics. OF which there are few out
Of employment In this vicinity"
An indication OF the change in con-
ditions is the great falling OF OF re-
quests for assistance made to the local
relief committee and the discrimination
OF benent performances and extraordi.
nary charity work also the increased
demand and higher price of local indus
trial stocks
What 10 true OF Hartford Ia equally
true Of neiehboring cities. New Haven.
Bridgeport and Waterbury all show
very plain signs Of improvement in new
factory buildings. increased employ
ment and night work
HARTFORD. Conn.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
NEW YORK CITY.
PROGRESS is UNEVEN.
ny JOHN u. FAHEY,
President Cha her Of Com m rec of
the United Stntes of America.


To THE EDITOR OF THE SrN-sr.
All the evidence which comes to my
attention indicates that business condi-
tons throughout the country are slowly
but surely improving The improve
ment is uneven. OF course. and think
II Ia bound to be OF that character for
some time to come,
Nevertheless, we have already seen a
remarkable recovery from tho uncer-
tainty and disturbance caused by the
crash of war II was inevitable that
the precipitation of the European con-
Dict should for the time being almost
paralyze business activity in all parts of
the world The widespread character
OF the disturbance was a natural result
OF the great Improvement In business IA
e!llttes of the last nifty years and the
mterrelatlon OF those facilities
Since business functions were almost
suspended for II time 1t was Inevitable
that the machinery be set up again In
the order OF its importance In supplying
tho worlds needs, and 1t thus came
about that the frst demand was to
straighten out banking and foreign OK
change and provide means for moving
the necessarieh or life, from that be-
ginning business and Government have
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
BAYONNE NOT HARD UP,
By u. 4. STEVENS.
Secretary OF the BayOnne Chamber
Of Commerce.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sr !.
Having a great diversity of manufac-
turing products. Bayonne. y. j., has not
felt the late stringency TO any extent.
The number of unemployed is and since
the first few weeks of the war has been
few, II seems to he the general idea
Of manufacturers that better times are
coming and that an Improvement has al
ready started.
The tariff is blamed for the hard
times more than the war. While the
evil effects Of the tariff have been great.
there has also. in the opinion of manu-
facturers. been too much legislation At
Washington that created anxiety in the
business world.
Most of the factories are running fun
time. some of them are doing better,
but in the larger oil rehneries business
IL below normal Boiler manufacturers
report a turn for the better and find
that a large percentage Of their orders,
estimated At about 70 per cent. are from
established business concerns, This Is
believed to indicate "A general return Of
prosperity.
Producers OF food products are rum
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
STEEL TRADE on MEND.
ny r. J. KEEN\N.
President Of the Allied Boards nj
Trade of tiIcghrn> COUNT

To THE EDITOR oT rUr S">
Prosperity in ;he rittsburE dst~,H.
only be lasting when huli Upu" e
factory conditions IN the ron a.H se'
industry This industry IS -,.N q
steadily on the mend Mcn ~ Re-
laid off during the period o. -'f-.t
ar" gradually being pu, TO .F
in the independent plants n'l '".-. "
the United states steel '..aH..'.'
They are running row go o." N..' e.
capacity Of from - 20 - p,r .u.. a.,
against barely so per cent "a -r0" r.
ago.
The plate glass husiUrs~. -
quite boom the latte" poe ~ .-
year, however, - s'ack,u''g r.. "n.
ably as the result of ',rr....
production, In all Other Nrt'. ..-
glass business Is fairly good pH, ~'"
manufacturing is I'M so'uy ,.,-,- o1
normal, N others har,.h ..-
own. The pottery business Cd, Of
Ohio has Just had the host 'N. ...
its history Substantial ,.I1r-, .. -
plants, nn'ahl} n" tNr ua'.- -
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
TEXTILES FACE CRISIS.
~ STEPHEN r. SHERMAN,
Secretary Of the La wrence. Mass.
Cha m her Of Com mepce,

To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sr: Con-
ditions in the manufacturing depart
ments OF the textile mills are reaching a
critical stage owing to the inability to
secure an adequate supply OF dyestuffs.
Aside from this. in the general business
of the mills there has been as q whole
little Improvement since January 1 and
the outlook is regarded as less hopeful.
In other branches Of trade more
optimistic feeling exists. One OF the
largest industries In the city reports q
most favorable situation.
The general features OF business In the
city are normal and as class our peo-
0e believe a general revival of trade
would be inaugurated II the uncertain
ties OF the foreign war could be elm.
mated.
Labor conditions are favorable. bar
ring a surplus Of unemployed. The saw
ings banks report an increase In DE-
poslts coming from the working class.
In general banking circles the COM
mercial end IL ahead OF last year and TO
quote a prominent banker. enc who has
been very pessimistic for the past three
years. in his belief the country has
turned the point LEADING to great and
unparalleled prosperity. whether the war
continues or is brought TO an early
close.
This view is held by other men of
prominence who by reason OF their long
business experience are qualified 10
Judge. There appears also to be an &C.
emulation OF investment in funds, as
many large financial institutions are
seeking place to put their surplus. par
ticularlv in industrisls. There also APP
pears to be an inclination on the part OF
the large industrial corporations to en-.
large their facilities for manufacturing,
which would indicate that a great de-
mani has arisen for their products. As
whole | regard the situation as more
favoI'l bic for return 20 the best Of
prospective days.
LAWRENCE, Mass
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

ming about normal. but most Of their old
customers are ordering about so per
cent below normal. The Increase is due
entirely to new business. probably
through restrictions OF shipping from
foreign countries.
Generally business IL good. bank de-
posits have increased, savings have In.
creased, building II below normal. but
shows signs OF Improving. Building In
surrounding territory Ia above normal
Hopefulness Ia general among business
men.
BAYoNNE, ". j.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

gone on little by little, clearing the chan
| nels or trade and making steady prog
| ross toward more nearly normal condi-
! tions
The tremendous purchasing power OF
the Western part OF the United States
as a result of "A record breaking crop at
high prices Is now making itself felt, as
II always has in normal times Condi-
tons in the South have improved much
faster than was anticipated and the
gam in this direction is so much greater
than was expected that IL is minimizing
TO substantial extent the first effects
Of the shock In that section of the Coun-
try,
The employees OF establishments fur
nishing supplies 10 the warning nations
are now buying the products of other
kinds Of factories, and thus, little by
little. business is being extended.
A spirit OF economy on the part Of
people generally, developed as a result
Of the war IN conditions last summer
and fall, will probably lead to cautious
buying for some time and the sale Of
luxur:es in most cases is likely to be
slow.
In general, however. the piling up of
tremendous foreign trade balances and
the reserve power OF this country cam
not fail to be effective Aside from this
1t is worth while remembering that i'm
all the history of commerce during great
wars neutral nations, while ut first
much disturbed, have finally adjusted
themselves to conditions and Invariably
have found new opportunities Develop
ing
On every hand ! find business mon
oomlng to tho conviction that the Coun-
Try Is finding itself again and going
forward with greater confidence every
day. but recognizing the fact that eau
( ton must he exercised and that in
some directions there are difficulties 10
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11

the country in efforts to produce ma
,erials which heretofore were not man
ufactured in this country because they
could be bought no cheaply abroad that
many manufacturers heretofore would
not consider making them.
These manufacturers are now hnding
out that they can produce these prod
ucts Mt prices which will enable them
to compete with European producers
and many OF them are confident they
can retain the local markets when the
war is over. This situation applies par
ticularly to manufacturers Of all sorts
Of chemical products.
BUFFALO, ". Y.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
BUYERS ARE TINID.
~ WILLIAM VI. COATES.
President Of philadelphia Bonrd ~
Trade.

To TIVE EDITOR OF THE SrS--Sir. From
the observation Of this board there has
been but little recent change in the hus.
ness situation. Some of the industries
that are furnishing war material. - far
as we can learn, are running part time
The domestic demand for goods i1es
not seem yet TO be much I'm evidence. AZ
buyers are timid in PURCHASING possibly
from the fear of lower priced foreign
goods coming in after the war is over,
or from the limited present demand
The condition OF general business ID.
shown by the accumulation Of money At
low rate. which could be used 20 good
advantage IL times were more prosper
GUS This may be confirmed by N.
statements OF the different banking In.
sttutions OF the country.
PHILADELPHIA
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-11
NO BIG IMPROVEMENT.
Ky ~. ~. WEAVER,
President of JOhnstown thansbr
of Commerce.

To THE EpIToR or THE SvN--Sl'
Commercially JoiriStowu is de0"rde
upon the steel and coal industries 50
present there is slight improy'r''
In both. However. there is no signs
cant movement here TO JUSTLY '-' .'.
lief that there will be any marked .w
provement In the business ~.'.i' o..
soon.
II is quite ross hle that IN Johnston
Ne VIII recognize the CUn.r- of t0''t
conditions less quickly than VIII 10
localities because = hroadm 'dcl AZ
aggressive policy has caarac'er.zc, O."
management OF our loCaI industr.o. Al
given 10 our city soweU nat gr.-.s
measure OF prosperity during tie pas
year
NsrowN. Pa