The copper era and Morenci leader., 1915-05-28

manufacturing Is a large feature OF
business is benefiting from war or
ders. although these orders in many
cases are not large enough to Offset
the depression in domestic trade
Many orders are from governments
which never before bought in the
American market and American bust
ness men believe they can hold this
trade after the war is over. They
argue that much of the work now
being done here for Great Britain, to
take an instance, has previously been
done in Germany, and that the bitter
feeling after the war will preclude
its being done there again.
A Philadelphia factory is making
swords for the British army. Such
a contract had never before been re-
ceived in this country. In the past
British swords have been made in
Germany.
In the Pittsburgh district, which
includes Bethlehem, many Germans
who formerly worked for the Krupps
are employed. They are now making
war material for the allies, although,
OF course, they do not know this
definitely. The men in the factory
are not informed for whom a particu-
lar sixinch shrapnel shell Is being
made.
Some odd items are reported. The
French government has paid New
England manufacturers 100000 for
snowshoes. One concern in Phila.
delphfa is turning out folding saw
with wooden handles for cutting wire
entanglements. When the war started
the armies used steel pliers for this
work, with the result that many men
were shocked to death by high volt.
age electricity.
Factories turned to New Uses.
All sorts Of factories have been
pressed into commission to make
things useful in war. A company in
Bridgeport, Conn, which usually
makes cemetery monuments of
bronze. is now turning out forgfngs
for an auto truck concern which has
a large >order from the allied coun.
tries. Bridgeport, by the way, IL en- |
1oyfng huge prosperity because most |
OF its Industrial concerns are WORKING
on war orders.
All through Massachusetts, and
Connecticut war orders are helping to
overcome the depression of the first
few months of the war The Fore
River Shfpbuilding company is very
busy. 1t is generally reported it is
making ten submarines for the Brit
ish navy, these to be delivered at the
end OF the war. In addition, 1t is-
about rs other submarines.
Demand for many particular ar.
t1cles has been so great that the al
lied governments have signed con-
tracts at prices most attractive for
the manufacturers. In addition, 1t Is
pretty well established that middle
men, brokers and agents are gather.
Ing in millions in commissions, some
Of which are exhorbitant.
1t is said by a Chicago merchant
FOR instance, that there is a well-or.
sanized band of extortionists, with
agents I'm all the big cities on both
sides Of the Atlantic and headquarters ,
n New York, which is exacting a toll
If from Is to 20 per cent on practical
y every shipment of war supplies
hat leaves the country
In general the agents Of each gov.
,rnment maintain that their nation
8 buying right, while stating a belief
hat other nations are being fieeced
A wellknown Russian exporter OF
New York city says the Russian gov
'rnment fs suffering the most heavily
# all. He has sent over q report fol
ride publication in Russia in which
le says that already 100000, 900 has
'een lost through the exploitation OF
american commissioners and brokers