Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1921-09-15
SEE IMPROVE
AT COPPER WORKS;
CLAY PLANTS BUSY

That the general trend of indus
trial and business conditions in Perth
AmbSy and this immediate vicinity is
upward rather than downward is the
concensus of opinion cleaned from
reports of industrial activity eman-
ating from executives of several var
led manufacturing concerns today.
The outstanding features in the
trend to increase industrial and COM
mercial activity here follow:
Revival of Ceramic industry is un-
der way, one plant is working at full
capacity and others increasing out
put. More workmen have been em-
ployed in many instances.
Building operations resumed. Sew
eral big projects under way; many
more contemplated. Contractors re-
port bidding ON many jobs.
Not only is this revival noticed in
Perth Amboy. but Keyport, South
Amboy, Woodbridge and 5'etuchen.
Lumber dealers report large and
steady increase in sales.
In the Chemical industry no great
IiuS DNSH
ed, but conditions are getting no
worse. In other words the upward
trend is again shown.
According to n statement issued
at the Raritan Copper Works, the
copper industry has "turncd the cor
ner" and improvement I'm conditions
at the local plant are expected to
follow.
Trend is Upward.
Executives unite in declaring that
in their opinions the lowest ebb has
been reached and that the tide of
depression has about run its course,
soon to turn about and start steadi-
ly upward. These optimistic reports
come from heads of concerns who
can see no acceleration in their own
lines at present as well as from the
ceramics men who are experiencing
a noticeable change in some in
stances and seem to reflect the al
most universal conviction of better
times soon to come.
Plant Resumes Operations
The most encouraging signs orig
mated at the National Fireproofins
Company, whose Perth Amboy plan,
is running full blast and whose Stan
| dard plant resumed operations a.
about fifty per cent. capacity Tues
! day of last week after fbeing idle
since January. The Lorillard branch
of the concern resumed operations
last week and is also running al
about half capacity at present.
While the information received
from this plant did not definitely in
dicate that further increase would
take place Immediately it was inti-
mated that signs were favorable and
conditions were sure to get better.
Running Mt Capacity
From the Woodbridge Ceramics
Company comes information to the
capacity. 1t was said that market
conditions were picking up and that
business was much better than 1t
was a month ago.
The official interviewed at the
Woodbridge plant said conversations
with a number of builders in this
vicinity had convinced him that
building operations were on the up
grade and would continue to get bet
ter as time went on. One builder in
particular is quoted as asserting that
the increase in activity in his line
was astounding.
1t was stated that inquiries and
orders are coming in to this concern
from a wider circle than before, in
dicating that the pickup was gener-
al rather than merely local. The
same official mentioned recent trip
to Trenton where tile men were said
to be much encouraged over the dis
tinct acceleration of the trade.
The Atlantic Terra Gotta Com
pany is also among those who see an
Improvement in the ceramic indus
try of late. The Atlantic concern is
running about the same as usual at
this time of the year according to
the official interviewed. In general,
however. the Atlantic official con-
ceded some increased activity and
was optimistic over future prospects
A few more men have been employ
ed
Somewhat similar was the trend
of the statement from the Fords
Porcelain Works, where the outlook
is for plenty of business in a few
more months, 1t was said.
Copper Outlook Bright
An especially favorable report
comes from the Raritan Copper
Works where it was stated this
morning that there was more optim-
ism now than there has been for
many months. The outlook is much
brighter, it was said, and indications
pointing to the turning of the corner
for the copper industry are evident.
1t was pointed out that the plant
had been operating at approximately
rs per cent. of normal capacity for
some months and that the present
improvement would have no start
ling effect on the general situation
even though better times are dis
cernible. In the opinion of officials
of this plant the Improvement will
of necessity be gradual and that the
period of capacity running is many
months off yet. The general trend
of the statement, however, was en-
couraging.
IL. & II. Improvement
Conditions are reported better by
the Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical
Company, where it is said there is
Improvement over the situation at
the beginning of the year in the
chemical line.
The statement from this plant goes
on to say that the improvement is
traceable in many cases to the re-
duction of supplies in the hands of
consumers to the point where they
have been compelled to reenter the
market in order to cover their cur
rent requirements. This buying. it is
maintained, is in all cases of the
hand to mouth variety and its con-
tinuation in the future is highly
problematical.
According to the statement, the
most serious factor in the present