Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-02-18
KAY'S REPORT FAVORS
STARLINGPROPOSITION
State Treasurer Kay Submits
Report to Portland Cham.
Der of COnlmece

Portland, Or, Feb. 1S.lavorable
report on the Startling process of spin.
ming linen yarns from unretted flax
has been made to the Portland Cham
Der of Commerce by State Treasurer
Thomas B. Kay, who recently made a
Thorough investigation of the process
in North Tonawanda, N Y, where the
factory of the inventor, J. Sydney
Startling, is located.
He addressed the Chamber of Com
merce at noon today on the subject.
After having made a thorough in
vestigation of Mr.. Starling's system of
manufacturing flax and having inter-
viewed many other people, most of
whom oppose him, still l am of the
opinion that Mr.. Starting can manu-
facture yarns suitable for weaving in
to fabrics from unretted flax straw, :"
says Mr.. Kay at the conclusion to a
formal report in which he relates his
experience. HFurther. the chemicals
which he uses in degumming and
bleaching are not injurious to the yarn
in any way and, further, that his meth
ods are not expensive.
Starting Factory is to Operate
EHowever, before such q manufac-
turing plant should be established on
the Pacific coast, Mr.. Starting ought
to demonstrate beyond question his
claims to the effect that he can manu-
facture this yarn in quantities and at
prices which will pay.
"Since arriving home have receiv-
ed a letter from Mr.. Starting to the ef-
feet that his board of directors met
January 25, when resolutions of conf
dence in him were voted, and that it.
was decided to go right ahead with the
manufacture of both yarns and mat
tress material; the extent of either or
both will depend solely upon the
amount of flax straw now obtainable;
that they have already commenced the
purchase of everything in sight, regard
less of quality, so long as it is sound,
and that the firm will operate two
shifts of workmen if raw material is
available.
Great Promise of Flax Industry
''Now, personally, am of the opin
ion that Mr.. Starting can manufacture
yarn suitable for fabrics in paying
quantities, but inasmuch as Mr.. Star
ling expects now to operate his plant.
j think it advisable to await the re-
suit of month s operation before TAX
ing the matter up in Oregon. In case
he demonstrates, however, that he can
manufacture these yarns as he claims,
j think his method would be the best
to establish in Oregon, and that from
such plant would soon work into the
manufacture of high grades of linen
products and develop an industry in
this state which bids fair to become
one of our most profitable industries,
both from a standpoint of raising raw
material and of giving employment to-
people in manufacturing plants"
Yarn Not Injured by Process
Mr.. Kay says that Mr.. Ransom,
president of Lockport Textile com
pany, large manufacturers of towling,
gave his testimony in favor of the
Startling process and declared that Ore
gon flax fiber is as good. as can be
produced anywhere on this continent.
j. J. Aldred, owner of the Niagara
Textile company plants and recogniz-
ed, says Mr.. Kay, as one of the most
expert practical manufacturers in the
east, said that he had manufactured
the Starting yarns into fabrics several
years ago and that the material was
still as strong as when he first re-
eeived it.
Machinery Does All the Work
In the presence of Mr. Kay and Mr.
lAldred, Mr.. Startling operated his
North Tonawanda plant commencing
the demonstration by opening bale of
flax straw just as it came from the
farmer, and in my presence put it |
through the various machinery until
it was spun into yarn, samples of
(which have. He first threshed it in
a machine which he had built and pat |
ented himself, then put it through the
brakes, through a tapping machine,
which he had invented and has patent
ed, through various preparing or draw |