The Iron Age 1899-11-23: Vol 64 Iss 21

THE A Review of the Hardware, Iron, Machiner iblished every Thursday Morning by David Williams Co., 232-238 William 8t. + uF SUNS | ¢ WO O30k i) “NOV B4 1809 —— ye = a IRON Oo q wopsUTyseM eynqiysuy _< fades. 00 J [ UBiuOsTIIUGS » New York, 1. LXIV: No. 27. -ading Matter Contents......... page 34 ohabetical Index to Advertisers “* {21 lassified List of Advertisers... .. - §28 Advertising and Subscription Rates ‘‘ New York, Thursday, 731) 7899. $4.50 a Year, including Postage Single Copies, Ten Cents 7 > November 23, 8t. Louis, Mo. Dynamo cDELTING =Wew York. Boston. Republic iron. é Steel Co., Tae eo RAILROAD SPIKES. DISTRICT SALES OFFICES: Buffalo, N. Y. New York City. Cleveland, O. St. Louis, Mo. Cincinnati, O. Birmingham, ee our advertisement on inside back cover. Bristol’s Patent Steel Belt Lacing, SAVES Time, Belts, Money. Greatest Strength READY TOAPPCY FINISHED OWT with Least Metal. send for Circulars and Free Samples. THE BRISTOL CO., Waterbury, Conn. SAMSON SPOT CORD Ala. Also Massachusetts and Phenix Brands of Sach Cord. SAMSON CORDAGE WORKS, - Boston, Mass, TURN BUCKLES, BRANCH OFFICE: 11 Broadway, New York. Cleveland City Forge and tron Co., - Cleveland, O. DROP HAMMERS. MANUFACTURED BY MERRILL BROS., Brooklyn, N. Y. IRON ORES. PILLING & CRANE Girard Building, Philada. Lewis Block, Pittsburgh. The very worst of galvan- ized iron is likely to imitate best—as to brand—no leeper, Apollo Iron and Steel Company, Pittsburgh, “UL. 2." “Crap” Shells were used by Fitted with the R. L. Pierce, celebrated of Wytheville, Va., in 66 U. M. C. No. 3 os winning the ai Belle Meade gg | rimer. Always ” Reliable Nashville, ae ., Accurate, Write for descriptive Price List. Bridgeport, Conn. 313 Broadway, New York. Oct. 28, 1890, with a record of Sixty Straight Union Metallic Cartridge Co. Winners of Handicap 1803-94-95- 97- 98-99. CAPEWELL HORSE NAILS. NEW YORK, PHILADELPHIA, CHiICaGO, ST. LOUIs, BOSTON, DETROIT. CINCINNATI, SAN FRANCISCO, PORTLAND, ORE., BUFFALO, BALTIMORE, NEW ORLEANS. THE CAPEWELL HORSE NAIL COMPANY, HARTFORD, CONN. BRANCHES: Compare Weights SS WHEN YOU ARE TOLD THAT JENKINS ’96 IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHER PACKINGS. JENKINS STANDARD —— Average weight, %” “Jenkins °96,” 11 Ibs. to the square yard. %" Red Packing, 14 At 50c. per pound “JENKINS °96” is not only very much cheaper, but the best joint packing manufactured. JENKINS BROS., New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicage. Brass Prices High, So Use Bright “Swedoh” Stamp- seg Il ing Steel. Easily Brass Plated and Save Money. MAGNOLIA METAL Best Anti-Friction Metal for all Machinery Bearings. Beware ot Imitations. Genuine Magnolia Metal is made up in bars of which this ig a fac-simile : SUSE The name and trade- box and bar, and the | in United States” and are stamped On the un- mark = ar on each words anufactured “Patented June 3, '90, der side of each bar. ‘Magnolia Meta) a << Bt celting 0. at J sone price it has Foner Butlding ‘ MAGNOLIA METAL CO., (Cyerpand, soe 766 & 267 WEST ST., NEW YOR « 281 Dearborn S M . - “ dn ee one 4) ok » ? sta As. Spe ea OP a at Pee S Spas me os \ = ° GAHALL BOILERS » % ‘ Sader Said a 6 a ee | as —— eal ee wd atl incite = rea A a a aa —a PL CEE CR (er ay — S a a a ee - Sr &= =. Se = = ~ 2 THE IRON AGE THE ANSONIA Brass ee GoOPPeR Co: Oo. MANUFACTURERS OF BRASS AND COPPER Seamless Tubes, Sheets, Rods and Wire. Ingot Copper. SOLE MANUFAC Tobin Bronze (TRADE-MARK REGISTERED.) Plates, Round, Hexagon Bars, for Pump Waterbury Brass Co. Established 1845. Sheet, Roll and Platers’ Brass, German Silver, Co r, Brass and Ger- man Silver re, Brass and Copper Tubing. COPPER RIVETS AND BURS. PERCUSSION CAPS, TAPE MEASURES, METALLIC EYELETS, Brass Kettles, Brass Tags, Powder Flasks, Shot Pouches, &c., AND SMALL BRASS WARES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. HICK’S PRIMERS, BERDAN PRIMERS. Cartridge Metal in Sheets or Shells “TU RERS Condenser Pump Linings, Square and Piston Rods and Bolt Forgings. New York. 99ZJohn Street, Raypol WATERBURY Att) a Specialty. — MANUFACTURERS OF=- i DEPOTS: 60 Centre e. New York. 126 Eddy St., Provi- dence, . 1. 38 Mechanic St., Newark, WJ. H EET#é BRASS S & COPPER. mas AT WATERBURY, CONN. Deoxidized Genuine Babbitt used by United States Govern- ment in some of FASTEST TORPEDO BOATS. Write us about it. Bridgeport Deoxidized Bronze & Metal Co., BRIDGEPORT, CONN. .BRAZED BRASS &: COPPER TUBES. SEAMLESS BRASS & AN DEPOT, 226 LA BESTER CHICAGO, ILL. ~ sr. Matthiessen & Hegeler Zinc Co., LA SALLE, ILLINOIS, SMELTERS OF SPELTER AND MANUFACTURERS OF SHEET ZINC AND SULPHURIC ACID. Special Sizes of Zinc cut to order. Rolled Battery Plates. Selected Plates for Etchers’ and Lithographers’ use. Selected Sheets for Paper and Card Makers’ use. Stove and Washboard Blanks. ZINCS FOR LECLANCHE BATTERY. Bargain—Shafting Hangers No. 1—Makers, Dodge Mfg. Co.; Adjustable Ball and | No. 3—Similar to above only wick ~ wee Socket Double Brace Hii angers, with chain oil- 114 20-in. drop, 2 a shaft, lis eine sbasennwe $20.40 ing be mye | og 21 2. drop, 27-16 i see 14.00 88 30-in. dro -16 in. shaft, : 25.) | No. 4~Plain Cast Iron Bo x, not self. -oliing. 18 =] in ig 215 16 in. , —“s ei 20 | 25 16-in drop, 23-16 in. shaft, list.. 1 0 8-in. -16 in. is | No. 5—Makers, Falls Rivet and Machine Co. ; Wick > oie 716 in. a eD Oiling, Double Brace, Detachable Bottom. — * | 23 19 to 21 in. drop, ft iy shaft, list,. 24.20 No. 2—Same as above only single brace | £i: ! “Sg: |" | Re Beene 1,45 4 20-in dro »p, 215 16 in. shaft, lis t. 2040 | No 6—Lane & Bodley, Chain Olling, Double Brace, 4-in -16 in . 11.40 De tachable Bottom. 1 12in 3-16 in. 10.90 30-in drop, 2 15-16 in. shaft, list,.............. $1.55 Discount, 7O, 10 and 5 per cent. MACHINISTS’ SUPPLY CO., ROCHESTER, N. Y. HENDRICKS BROTHERS PROPRIETORS OF THE Belleville Copper Rolling Mills, MANUFACTURERS OF Brazxiers’, Bolt and Sheathing COPPER, COPPER WIRE AND RIVETS. Importers and Dealers in Ingot Copper, Block Tin, Spelter, Lead, Antimony, etc. So MMT-I THE PLUME & Atwooo M6. Co. Sheet and Roll Brass WIRE PRINTERS’ BRASS, JEWELERS’ METAL; GERMAN SILVER AND GILDING METAL, COPPER RIVETS AND BURRS. Pins, Brece Butt Hinges, Jack Chain, Kere- seve Burners, Lamps, Lamp Trimmings, &c. 29 MURRAY S8T., NEW YORE. 144 HIGH S8T., BOSTON. 199 LAKE 8T., CHICAGO. FACTORIES : ROLLING MILL : | WATERBURY, CONN, SCOVILL MFG. C0., Manufacturers of BRASS SHEET, WIRE, TUBES, Hinges, Buttons, Lamp Goods, Nipples, Pumps and Oilers for Bicycles, Braziers’ Solder. Factories, WATERBURY, CONN. DEPOTS : Chicago, Bosten. New York, JOHN DAVOL & SONS, AGENTS FOR Brooklyn Brass & Copper Co., DEALERS IN COPPER, TIN, SPELTER, LEAD, ANTIMONY. 100 John Street, New York. WILLIAM §. FEARING, 256 Broadway, NEW YORK, SELLS TO THE TRADE Sheet Brass, Fancy Sheet Brass, German Silver, Copper, Brass and German Silver Wire, Brazed and Seamless Brass and Copper Tubes, Brass and Cop- per Rods, Brass Ferrules, Pure Copper Wire, Sheet and Ingot Copper; Spelter, Tin, Antimony, Lead, &c. OIL and GAS Bioyole Lantern Send for Circulars and Electrotypes. THE BRIDGEPORT BRASS CO Bridgeport, Conn. 19 Murray 8t., N.Y. 17 No. 7th 8t., Philadelphi: 85 to 87 Pearl 8’ ., Bost ton. (CONTR Send” IN ’ SPECIAL ACTS nat ~f poeple 5-8 ==t PRICE adorn ak FACR «TIES FOR warns M LEAMA LS” 49 CLIFF ST., NEW YORK. we, THB IRON AGE. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1899. The Sellers Horizontal Boring, Drilling and Milling Machine. The accompanying engravings show a new horizontal boring, drilling and milling machine built by Wm. Sell ers & Co. (Incorporated) of Philadelphia. The machine has a supplementary bed at right angles to the main bed, which carries an adjustable work table and an ad- justable outboard support for the boring bar. In addition there is provided, when required, a slotted floor plate for work too large for the auxiliary bed. The saddle carry ing the outboard support is arranged so that it may be removed from the bed and placed om the floor plate when desired. The machine is provided with a saddle 8 inches in diameter. The hight of the principal upright or col- THE SELLERS HORIZONTAL umn carrying the spindle is 15 feet 9 inches. The total length of bearing on the bed is 8 feet. The width of the upper surface of the bed is 7 feet, and the depth of the bed carrying the upright 24 inches. The column has a longitudinal movement on the bed of 22 feet. The saddle carrying the spindle has a movement on the face of the column of 10 feet 1 inch. The stroke or movement of the spindle in the direction of its axis is 8 feet. The main bed is 32 feet 2 inches long. The base of the column is scraped and fitted to the bed and provided with proper shoes or gibs. The bearing of the saddle on the column is 4 feet vertically by 4 feet 6 inches horizontally. There is no horizontal movement of the saddle on the upright, but the work table is provided with a traverse on the supplementary bed so that it may be moved to or from the face of the boring and milling head, as desired. The column and saddle are provided with the follow ing motions: Quick power traverse of the column of the bed, in either direction, and quick power traverse of the saddle up and down the column. All operations for mill- BORING, ing, drilling and boring are controlled by hand levers placed within convenient reach of the operator, as shown in Fig. 1. The saddle is not counterbalanced, being pro- vided with a power lifting gear which will readily and accurately control its vertical movement without the complication of a counterweight. The spindle is driven only through the cast iron sleeve which carries it, but is provided with 90 speeds, variable from 1.2 turns per min- ute to 150 turns. The feeds for boring and drilling, per revolution of spindle, vary from less than 0.01 to 4.3 inch. The milling feeds vertically and horizontally vary from 9-16 inch to turn of spindle to 21 inches. The speed of the quick traverse for the boring head for the upright and for the spindle may be varied from less than 5 to 7 feet per minute. DRILLING AND MILLING MACHINE. The electric motor operating the mechanism is carried upon the back of the column and is controlled from the operator’s platform attached to the boring head. The screw for producing the horizontal motion of the column is stationary in the bed, the nut being rotated by the driving gear. The work table on the supplementary bed is 6 feet wide by 10 feet long, and is mounted upon a saddle a1 ranged to swivel throughout a complete circle and gradu ated in degrees. This saddle has a traverse across a lower slide, which is mounted on the bed, of 7 feet. The work table is traversed along the bed by power by a separate motor. The outboard support is also movable along the bed in the same manner and by the same motor, either being connected, as desired. The outboard support has a col umn measuring 5 feet 4%; inches on the base by 3 feet 3, inches. The column is 26% inches wide above th base, and carries on its face a boring bar support having a hole of 14 inches, which can be bushed down to suit H i { 4 bars of less diameter. This boring bar support is raised and lowered by an auNxiliary motor, carried on the back the upright itself. The traverse of the outboard sup port at right angles to the supplementary bed equals 5 feet. The adjustment of the work table is 3 feet 6 inches each side of the centel —_ Sir William McDonald of Montreal, who has already made princely gifts to McGill University in that city, THE IRON AGE. November 23, 1899 rockville, Ontario; Charlottetown and Summerside, P. . Ly Montreal, Quebec; Truro, N. S.; Winnipeg and algary, N. W. T., and some place in British Columbia. The plan sketched out is to utilize the public schools by establishing regular classes in which the pupils will spend a portion of each day in actual work with tools. ccaitincasss Manufacturers’ Contracting Company. Under the laws of the State of New Jersey the Man- ufacturers’ Contracting Company were incorporated with B 1D) C } ee, | aie yc i } | l / i L | i / \ IJ \ Hwy NX j LA \ wT \ = | r VB} | VA —_— _— io a : } , | f= 4 hid... _ LAS / ; , j / Fig. 2.— Side Hlevation, pana = —— ail q \ — —_— oO : Le: ‘ Fig. 3.—Front Elevation. THE SELLERS HORIZONTAL BORING, has just made a magnificent contribution to the cause of technical education in Canada. He has undertaken to bear the entire cost for three years of schools that will impart manual training in educational centers in every province of the Dominion. Sir William has placed the management of the matter in the hands of Professor Robertson of McGill University, who has engaged com- petent instructors to superintend the work, at the head of whom is a Scotchman who has been prominent in the organization of technical schools in Great Britain. The places selected for the experiment are Ottawa and DRILLING AND MILLING MACHINE. a paid in capital of $100,000. The company design and contract for the construction of modern factory build- ings and public works. A corps of mechanical and elec- trical engineers are employed. The home office of the company is located at 792 Broad street, Newark, N. J. A branch office at 170 Summer street, Boston, Mass., takes care of the New England territory. W. H. Fena, president of the company, has been associated with the trade for several years as chief engineer of the Hay Foundry & Machine Works and the Berlin Iron Bridge Company. lIrenee Du Pont is secretary and treasurer of = am 4 A b P November 23 1899 the company. Mr. Feun designed and engineered the reconstruction of the plant of Gould & Eberhardt, at Newark, N. J. The work has just been successfully completed. ——————_ National Tin Plate Company. ' A ccharter"was granted this week by the Secretary of State for West Virginia to the National Tin Plate Com 5) | | -— a } f { I a | Js —— } f f s L& )_} wrx oo) a iw. 4. Plan of Bed. THE IRON AGE. 3 by William Rodgers of Leechburg, Pa., which, it is claimed, by a rearrangement of the furnaces, rolls and other machinery, makes it possible to manufacture tin plate complete in a much less time than is consumed under the existing methods. The new system, it is also said, does away with the use of the acid bath in preparing the black plate for coating with tin oe The Chicago Building Trades Dispute. The Chicago Building Contractors’ Council have adopted an ultimatum which they have submitted to the representatives of the workingmen. In it they set forth the position which they will assume in relation to the rules and regulations of the unions in respect to the work to be done after January 1. The ultimatum is of a somewhat different tone from what might have been ex- pected, belug considerably more conservative. Tem- perate counsel has evidently prevailed on those who are responsible for the ultimatum. It nevertheless consti- tutes a platform which will require a decided change of methods by the unions. The document is as follows: * Whereas, All branches of trade and commerce in Chicago, except the building trades, are sharing the gen- eral prosperity of the country. “Whereas, In contrast to other large cities, a steady decrease has taken place in the number and amount of the building permits issued in Chicago. “ Whereas, In other cities also subject to the general advance in price of building material building operations have not been thereby retarded. e “is } — - 2 \, | WV Cc a i | gL } ¢ Fig. 5.—Flan, THE SELLERS HORIZONTAL BORING, pany of Wheeling with an authorized capital of $5,000,000 in shares of $100 each. The incorporators are ex-Governor James A. Beaver, Bellefonte, Pa ; W. H. Rodgers, Leech- burg, Pa.; N. E. Whittaker, Wheeling, W. Va., and W. E. Tustin, C. A. Dally, A. B Dally, Jr., G. S. Lewis and W. E. Wilson of Pittsburgh, Pa. The company’s charter authorizes them to manufacture iron, tin plates and other metals in various forms. They will, it is announced, make tin plates under ‘the patents for a process invented DRILLING AND MILLING MACHINE. ‘Whereas, The cost of building construction in Chi cago has been increased by the action of the trades unious affiliated with the Building Trades Council in limiting the amount of work a man may perform in a working day, in some instances cutting his productivity in half, and an additional expense has been caused by the prohibition on the part of certain unions, members of the Building Trades Council, of the use of labor saving machinery. es SS a Ee 5 aes a a a i A ks “aS bone * ron ey eee en roe te * “mas a a aan fibe® re ee SO aban -+ Ce te sn RS RS ated ah aA & | | | et OC ATL. ee ‘Whereas, The cost of construction has been further increased by the costly and harassing delays caused by strikes, sympathetic strikes, and lockouts due to the ar- bitrary, unjust and often lawless acts of the business agents of said unions ‘Whereas. Tlus state of affairs has reached a stage where the best interests of workmen, contractors, archi- tects. owners and the city at large are in jeopardy; there- fore, | *- ed, Thut, in order to restore confidence and prosperity in the building trade, and to place it and the divers interests connected therewith in a_ position to share the revival of business enjoyed by other trades, on and after January 1, 1900, the trades represented in the ling Contractors’ Council shall not recognize: ‘1. Any limitation as to the amount of work a man shall perform during his working day. “2. Any restriction ol the use of machine ry fhe right of any person to interfere with the work il g working hours t L lit =\ i itl = at ‘>. Restrictions of the use of any manufactured ma- terial, excepting prison made. ‘6. The right of the unions to prohibit the employ- ment of apprentices * Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Building Trades Council and its affiliated unions, as outlining the position of the Building Contractors’ Coun- cil with respect to conditions existing in the building trade at the present time that are detrimental to the wel- fare of all parties concerned, and with the assurance that there is no disposition on the part of the Building Con- tractors’ Council to question tl present rate of wages, hours, or the principles of legitimate unionism.” Che various associations of contractors who are in terested in building operations, and whose delegates, 40 in number, unanimously adopted the foregoing resolu- tlons, are: Masons and Builders’ Associati singe sad and Builders’ Association Master rpents rs’ Association. Mastet r lumbers’ Association. Master Steam Fitters’ Association Master Plasterers’ Association Sheet Metal Contractors’ Association. Architectural Lron Contractors’ Associat Constructional [ron Contractors’ Association. (ut Stone Contractors’ Association. \l Col t s' Associ l ‘ x ¢ ictors’ Ass ition ‘i: ling | Vator Contractors’ Association. 11 st 1) liihy ¢ utractors’ Association —_—— Thorite. ( \ » Butting Cc the Ordna LD \ s l report for é Gx ; S00 «cr s in terms ant < All t tests se tha ive bet Ci says satisfactory nd wel ay 0 < . i not Ie exp Med \ vs < r last tests were 1 ‘ ~ 1 by ngs ‘ < lv N = of ; » Fr vs hy, e ag ~1 s. Int eX] ments against plates s . ne were re rered without material ds ter fests were also 1 ile to show the insensi- bility s substance to heat rand its strength as shown by rag ntation tests of projectiles. General But finet Says 1 s reganis stabili ty but ae can be s ~ v of the mixti 1 storage for s l vy shed at the proving grounds d “ . siderable moisture, showed n l subs ent drying a. the sub st s SW 1 damp ha d not bee! ' \ <= s ned : teete 0 i) B v ses ervis sts s titis of the op " ss t l for f g shells s = Ss 8S I t I st v t t leas g ‘ y better material f 1 . s to secu 1 good d -_ - ( egie St 1 ¢ e \"\ ° I + of > tha { £ ( ~ 4 s a ~ Ne { = ~ . Ww ¢ ~ ; < S : < . wa : g ted in B ~ THE IRON AGE. November 23, 1899 Testimony Before the Industrial Commission. WASHINGTON. November 21, 1899.—Within the past week the Industrial Commission has taken the testimony of several manufacturers in the iron and steel trades, nearly all the witnesses representing interests opposed to ne consolidations that have recently been! made in their -veral industries. The National Shear Company. The tirst witness to be examined after the close of The Iron Age's report of last week was Joseph C. Pearson of Newark, a private banker, ge assisted in financiering the consolidation known as the National Shear Company, who were organized on September 2, 1898, with a capital of $3,000,000, $1,125,000 preferred and 31,750,000 common stock. Mr. Pearson said that the consolidation embraced five constituent companies, all of whom came into the combination on the basis of a certain amount of cash and the balance in preferred and common stock. The contract of the witness with the combination obligated him to discount the paper of the combiation up to the amount of $200,000, with the agreement that if he carried out the arrangement for 18 months he would receive $80,000 in preferred and $225,000 in common stock in addition to é per cent. on the notes discounted. A clause in the con- tract provided that if the contract should be carried out for only nine months the compensation would be less than one-half. but if for less than nine months he would receive only the interest on the notes discounted. After several months the witness became satisfied that the com- bination had but little working capital, of which the dis- counts amounted to at least one-half, and that part of the discounts went to pay for the plants acquried by the combination. In certain cases the sellers of the plants took the notes of the combination and thus the whole en- terprise was practically floated on credit. After an experi- ence of nine months the witness became satisfied that the combination was on an unsound and unbusinesslike basis and he therefore withdrew. Upto the time of his with- drawal the stocks which he was to receive were held in escrow by third parties. The next witness was Edward C J. Wiss of Newark, vice-president of the National Shear Company. Mr. Wiss testified that although vice-president of the company he was not active in their management and was only able to btain information concerning their operations upon his demand to see the company’s books. The promoter of the combination was J. H. Parks, who invited the manu- facturers to meet and to discuss the desirability of getting together. Subsequently Parks secured options on the various plants) Up tothe present time only $2,410,000 of the capital stock had been issued, the balance being held in the expectation that options secured on other com- panies would be executed. In reply to a question as to what percentage of the output of the United States in the same line of goods was controlled by the National Shear Company Mr. Wiss said that in his Opinion it was less than two thirds. probably not more than 60 per cent. If the combination had ecured all the plants desired it would have controlled $0 or #) percent. The leading concern not in the trust were the Heinisch Company What was the cash value of the plants that came into the trust, in your opinion ?** asked Professor Jenks. As a mere estimate,”’ replied the witness, **I should say about $500,000." Then the combination was capitalized at more than five times the value of its plants ?* ‘ Practically—yes. ‘What bas been the trend of prices in recent years ?”’ ‘It has been downward, but there has been some fierce « = tion not always legitimate. Two large con- cerns failed as the result of low competitive prices and one pad | n ly 6 cents on the dollar Has there been an advance since the combination was f rine d * Yes, bot dne. I believe. only to an increase in the cost of labor. matenals. &c.” Cortinuing the witness said that the product of the National Shear Company was chiefly shears and scissors ne company, however, making razors and pocket spe- ialties ‘To what extent does the cost of material figure in the st of your output ' ‘It is not as large as in many metal industries. but it is @ Very material item when figured on a rears output I could not say exactly what proportion of total cost it What advantages has the combination possessed at were not enjoyed by the constituent companies [ $0i1 n I assume that the same savings have been effected at a large concern could make « eT a ~inall one, such as tne 7 iuced cost I selling general use of patents on - . hacia. - te a nedetabedine ai ped eae November 23, 1899 rHE trolled by single concerns, minimum cost of shop sup plies, &¢."" * Does your trade enjoy any protection from the pres ent tariff?" . : ' Yes, to some extent; but even under the present law at least 90 per cent. of the small scissors less than 6 inches in length are imported. Cheap labor and a very extensive experience have enabled the Germans to make these goods cheaper than we have been able to produce them even with our tariff to help us. With regard to other classes of goods, however, the competition at home has really been at the bottom of the low prices and not the cheaper cost of foreign made goods. ”’ The Tin Plate Industry. The most important witness examined during the week was William H. Griffiths, an independent tin plate manu facturer of Washington, Pa. Mr. Griffiths testified that he had been engaged since 21 years of age in the tin plate business and for the last 11 years had been an active manufacturer. In reply to a question as to whether he had ever had any relations with the American Tin Plate Company, he stated that the only transaction in which he had taken part was the surrender of a plant owned by himself and his partners to the combination. He ex plained his use of the word ** surrender ” by saying that he was strongly opposed to giving up the plant, but not having a controlling interest he was outvoted and obliged to accept the offer made by the company. Replying toa question by Professor Jenks as to whether on assigning his plant to the American Tin Plate Company he had agreed not to go into the business himself the witness said that in the first option presented to his company by the officers of the American Tin Plate Company there was a clause in which he and his partners agreed to keep out of the business for 15 years, but in the final contract which was accepted there was no such condition to his knowledge. “It should be said, however,”* said the witness, ‘* that the transaction was closed with the most precipitate haste and we were forced to sign the papers without having an opportunity to examine them with the care which they deserved. We were told. however. they contained abso lutely nothing except the necessary provisions for the transfer.” ; * With whom were yonr negotiations conducted ? ” ‘** With Judge Moore and Mr. Wheeler of Chicago. We were offered an option of cash or a certain amount of cash and preferred stock, with some common stock thrown in as a bonus.” _ “Have you re-entered the business of manufacturing tin plate ?”’ ‘I have begun building another plant.”’ re Have you had difficulty in securing machinery ”? ” ‘* No great difficulty, but I have had ample evidence of the efforts of the American Tin Plate Company to prevent manufacturers from obtaining machinery.” ‘Have the American Tin Plate Company secured a monopoly of tin plate machinery ?”’ ‘No, but they have gone far enough in that direction to embarrass parties desiring to go into the business. In the first place, they control patents on the leading pick- ling machine, although there is another unpatented machine that gives very satisfactory results. The chief embarrassment arises from the fact that 13 foundries and machine shops have entered into a compact not to furnish tin plate machinery to any one outside of the American Tin Plate Company. There were recently two companies manufacturing this class of machinery that were willing to supply independent tin plate manufacturers, but I have had evidence that at least one of these has experienced a change of heart. There was formerly a manufacturing firm at Avonmoore with whom I made a contract, under the terms of which I was to secure certain tin plate machinery when desired. Recently I placed an order, which, however, was ignored. I made an unsuccessful effort to find out what the difficulty was, but was unable to do so until I received a call from Mr. Banfield of the American Tin Plate Company, who stated that he had recently invested considerable money in the Avonmoore concern and could not see how under the circumstances this firm could longer supply machinery to parties outside the combination. Thus, although I had a written con- tract, I have been unable to get the machinery from this concern. The Canton Rolling & Machinery Company are. I believe, willing to supply independent manufac- turers, but I do not know to what extent they will be able to meet the demand.’ “Is it a fact that the American Tin Plate Company have agreed to take the entire output of tin plate ma- chinery manufactured by the foundries and machine shops that have made this compact you refer to?” _““T have seen that statement made, but it is wholly misleading, for the same kinds of machinery are sold to other manufacturers who do not make tin plate. I know that parties desiring rolls for making common sheet iron have to sign an agreement not to use those rolls for the IRON AGE. noe | manufacture of tin plate for the period of two years. My information comes to me direct because certam of these manufacturers of machinery endeavored to induce me to go into the sheet mill business and described to me the form of lease which | would be required to sign in order to get the rolls. The lease provides for a two-thirds pay ment down, the balance in two annual payments. ln case the machinery is used for making tin plate within the two year period it is to be forfeited. IL also know that when these leases have been signed by manufacturers who secure these rolls the leases are turned over to the American Tin Plate Company.” * How could a manufacturer making such a lease satisfy himself that the sheets which he rolled might not be used by parties to whom he sold them for the manufac ture of tin plate?” * That would not be difficult; the gauge would indicate it, although what is known as ‘28°’ is not unlike the material used for making stove pipes, household utensils, &e. The finish required would probably create ‘a suspi cion, I thmk the manufacturer would have to be very dull who permitted himself to be deceived.” ‘* What has been the effect upon the manufacturers of tin plate machinery of their combination with the Ameri can Tin Plate Company ?”’ *[ think there 1s a very strong disposition on the part of the foundrymen to break the compact, but there is con siderable reluctance on the part of individuals to be the first to make the departure. I am sure they are not receiving anything like the orders under the trust that they received under the independent régime.” ‘What is the attitude of the American Tin Plate Company with regard to jobbers” brands ?”’ ‘** Most formidable and aggressive. They will make no brands unless the same are assigned to the Tin Plate Company. I have here a copy of an agreement which con tains a provision under which the jobbers agree not to buy the tin plate of other parties or to have these particular brands manufactured elsewhere. <A breach of this agree- ment operates to forfeit the brands. I know that since October 1 jobbers have been refused material because they would not agree to all the conditions imposed by the trust.”’ The witness here read a letter from the American Tin Plate Company addressed to an Eastern jobber stating that as the recipient of the letter had not agreed ** to the conditions regarding private brands” incorporated in the regular agreement his order for plate was accepted on the basis of the mill brand, and instructions had been issued to place such brand on the goods. The witness said that the officials of the Tin Plate Company knew that the job- ber would not receive the materials so branded, as it would not meet the specifications of the architects who wanted the plate and who insisted on certain brands. The architects, he said, largely duminated the jobbers’ trade, each having his own favorite brand, which he in- sisted on securing for all his work. Continuing the witness said at the present time there was only one mill in operation in opposition to the Ameri- can Tin Plate Company. ‘Lhis mill was located at Avon- moore, but its output was very small as compared with that of the trust. ‘*Does the American Tin Plate Company control the output of black plate ?” ‘Yes. No independent dipper can buy black plate under ordinary conditions if the company do not want him to have it. It is possible that the Carnegie Company in a year or two will make billets or bars for independent tin plate manufacturers, but they are not in shape to do so now, as the American Tin Plate Company recently gave them a big order for bars, which in my opinion was largely in excess of the Tin Plate Company’s require- ments, and which therefore was given for a purpose. This order was very remarkable in view of the fact that the National Steel Company, who are closely allied with the American Tin Plate Company, have always been able to supply all the bars needed.”’ ‘* What has been the effect on the dippers ?”’ ‘It has heen disastrous. Some who have been refused black plate have ceased manufacture and have become jobbers, but the American Tin Plate Company have refused to sell them tin plate until they have surrendered their dipping plants. There were 20 dippers at one time, but now many of them have been forced to become re dippers, buying thinly coated plates through the jobbers and recoating them. Others have sold their plants, as they could not buy either black plates or thinly coated tin plate. Recently one of the oldest dippers in the business was told by representatives of the American Tin Plate Com- pany in Chicago that the combination would always be willing to furnish him black plate if they had it on hand. Afterward when he placed an order they declined it and wrote to him that it was not their disposition to encourage dippers.”’ **Is it not possible,*’ asked Commissioner Clark, ** that this refusal was based on a lack of material ?”’ ‘** No,”’ replied the witness. ‘‘ The American Tin Plate Company have 272 mills, of which 80 are closed down.” aw ~ (5 THE IRON AGE. ‘Do you think the combination of independent manu- facturers was necessary at the time it was made in order to save the manufacturers from disaster.” ‘Not at all, except perhaps in the case of a few badly managed concerns. As an illustration [ will say that when plate was worth $5.75 per box we made 100 per cent. profit and when it was only worth $2.60, about the time the trust was organized, we cleared 20 per cent., and I have never made Jess than that as a manufacturer. ”’ ‘Do you regard present conditions as absolutely pre- venting independent manufacturers from operating ?”’ ‘*No. Present conditions are difficult, but not insuper- able 1 believe individuals can run their mills more cheaply than the American Tin Plate Company. I recognize the fact that this is not true in many industries, but tin plate manufacture is peculiar in many respects. There are more details connected with manufacture than in almost any other line, and an experienced owner with vital interests at stake who is constantly on the ground will cydgel bis brain from morning till night and will keep his eye on every detail of economical production as no hired employee can.” ‘*Does not the American Tin Plate Company employ expert superintendents ?° ‘*Oh, yes. But who looks out for the superintendents ? A district manager with six or eight plants in his jurisdic- tion cannot begin to give the attention to them that an owner would give. When nobody is looking after the superintendents then look out for your product.”’ ‘* Does not the system of reports and the checks of one mill against another, as followed by the American Tin Plate Company, offset the difference between the super- vision of owners and district managers ?’ ‘It helps, but it does not offset. Nothing can take the place in the tin plate industry of the close supervision of an interested owner who is himself an expert tin plate maker.”’ ‘*In your opinion had the competition or prices got to a point a year ago compelling this combination to be made ?”’ ‘No, sir; I do not think so. And as I have said before I do not think the American Tin Plate Company can pro- duce their output as cheaply 2s independent manufac- turers.”’ ‘‘How do present prices compare with the cost of materials ? ° ‘I can only give you a few figures, but I will say that coke plates which sold in 1898 for $2.60 cost about $2.40 to make, and at that time we paid $17.50 for bars. To-day bars sell as high as $40. The American Tin Plate Com- pany may possibly buy bars as low as $30, which I calcu- late means a cost to manufacture equal to about $3.54 per box of plate now selling for $4.65. Of course I have no means of knowing what they pay for bars, but these fig ures are made on the basis of all the considerations of which I have knowledge.” ‘**What is the feeling in labor circles toward the trust ?°’ ** { believe it to be on the ragged edge of desperation. A small straw showing the way the wind blows is the fact that I have received applications from 150 rollers for places in the small mills which I am now building. Each mill will employ three rollers and my plant will embrace seven mills. The American Tin Plate Company employ 816 rollers.”’ Mr. Griffiths read a letter which he said was addressed to him by a practical tin plate workman of the better class who was usually selected as a member of the labor- ing men’s committees to represent them in their negotia- tions with their employers. The document was of consid erable length, and as the witness stated it gave the extreme labor view of the situation. The writer said that the coming winter would see more tin plate men idle than ever before in the history of the industry, owing largely to the methods of manufacture pursued by the trust. Individual producers kept their mills running through the winter season and stored their goods, but the American Tin Plate Company did not follow this plan, preferring to shut down mills when their output was not required by the trade. In addition a very peculiar situation existed with regard to the mills at Monessen, Pa., and at Newcastle. For special reasons the agreement between the Tin Plate Company and their employees made at Chicago permitted the mills at Monessen, Pa., to be operated on a lower scale of wages, and therefore the American Tin Plate Company had decided to keep them in operation while other mills at which the Amalgamated scale was paid were shut down. At Newcastle the mills were required to turn out a larger output per capita of employees than the scale called for. As an illustration of the present situation the writer stated that a committee of workmen recently waited on one of the managers of the American Tin Plate Company and urged him to start up the Cumberland mills, which were idle. In reply the manager said that the mills would be started if the work- men could manage a concession of 10 cents per box on the producti. This desired concession, Mr. Griffiths explained, was accounted for by the American Tin Plate Company November 23, 1899 by the statement that there was a freight discrimination equal to that amount against Cumberland, but in bis opinion this was absurd, as the Newcastle mills, which are running full time, are 200 miles further from the market than Cumberland. Under individual ownership the Cumberland mills were always able to compete with New- castle and other points. In reply to a question by Com- missioner Ratchford the witness stated that while the views expressed by the writer whose letter he had read were extreme yet in his opinion there was a great deal of truth in the statements made. Reverting to the question of prices Professor Jenks asked the witness if in his opinion The Iron Age would furnish a safe guide to the commission for recent years, to which Mr. Griffiths replied that it undoubtedly would, as he had never detected an error in its statements. Commissioner Clark here took up the question of the influence of the tariff on the tin plate industry and elicited from the witness a statement that in his opinion the in- dustry was established on a firm basis by reason of the favor shown it in the McKinley bill. “Can it be said,’’ asked Mr. Clark, ‘‘ that the tariff is the father of the tin plate trust in any sense except that the industry was originally encouraged to be established under a protective tariff ?”’ ‘‘No,”’ replied the witness. ‘‘ The tariff has no more to do with the business of the trust than the business of the independent producer. It simply enables them both to make a profit.”’ ** Do you believe that the American Tin Plate Company enjoys any freight discrimination ?”’ ‘““No,”’ replied the witness. ‘ Except the legitimate one in being able to ship to their customers from the nearest point.”’ ‘* Have prices been increased by the trust ?*’ ‘“Only as materials have advanced, and perhaps not proportionately. ”’ ** If the tariff was reduced would the price of tin plate be reduced »”’ ‘** It would probably have that effect.”’ In conclusion the witness said that in his opinion @ plant of six mills would enable a manufacturer to take advantage of all economies effected by the proper division of labor and that such a plant constituted the limit of economical management by one good man. Under pres- ent conditions in Wales a four mill plant was regarded as the unit of economical management. The Can Manufacture, The last witness examined was H. F. Going of Balti- more, a large canner of food products and until recently an extensive manufacturer of cans. He stated that he had been in the business since 1864, but while he still maintained an interest in the concern with which he had been connected for many years he was not now associated with its active management. He had had active charge of the manufacture of cans from 1868 to 1894. At first he had bought all of his tin in Europe, but the American industry had made such strides that recently it was stated by an expert before the Royal Institute of Engineers in England that American machinery for the manufacture of tin plate was so much superior to that employed in Great Britain that Wales could only hope to hold its share of the output by reason of its cheaper labor. Replying to a question as to whether the organization of the trust had resulted in the deterioration of the prod- uct the witness said that he was reliably informed that such was the case. There had been a tendency in that direction for the past two or three years, and within that length of time he believed a reduction had been made from 5 to 2% pounds of tin per 100 pounds of black plate, most of the reduction having been made since the trust was organized. The result of employing a thinly coated plate in the canning of food products is to give the con- tents a dark and unsightly appearance owing to the action of the liquids on the exposed black plate, which is not fully protected by a very thin and uneven coating of tin. The present output of cans in the United States, the witness said, was about 200,000,000, the product having been enormously increased by the invention of machines which were capable of performing every process in their manufacture. As to the attitude of can manufacturers toward the trust the witness said it was hostile, for the reason that the combination was in position to crowd them in the matter of price, and—which was more important— no maker could at present be sure of securing the quality of material which he desired. When there was competi- tion among individual producers qualities were higher and the orders of extensive can makers received the highest consideration. In conclusion the witness said that he did not know that'the present condition of affairs called for any special legislation, as in his opinion all large combinations would ultimately fall of their own weight. Ww. L. C. —————————————————— The Schlicht Combustion Process Company, who have occupied an office in the Marquette Building, Chicago, re ee eee November 2%, 1899 for some time, have found their business expanding so rapidly that they have secured the entire building at 65 Lake street, which they will occupy the coming week. ———————__—_—— Electric Tramways and British Industry. BY HAWTHORNE HILL. LIVERPOOL, November 7, 1899.—The interest in the subject of electric tramways now being manifested throughout Great Britain indicates the beginning here of an era of progress in this field such as has been ex- perienced already in the United States. It is hardly necessary to add that any development in this regard cannot fail to benefit the American trade in materials and machinery, as well as American engineering talent. Within a few days past there have been proceedings in relation to electric traction in the councils of 30 or more towns in the United Kingdom, including London, Liver- pool, Birmingham and Dublin, in several of which places a beginning already has been made. It would seem that a country, so populous in proportion to its area, and in which so large a share of the people live in cities and towns, would be a paradise for promoters of electric tramway companies. The fact that such has not proved to be the case affords an illustration of the difference in conditions of doing business in different countries that ought to be suggestive to all Americans who are con- cerned about foreign trade. The reason for the delay until now in the introduc- tion of electric railways into England has not been that no need has existed for better transportation facilities. There is to be considered (1) the conservatism of the true Briton, natural in a country so much older than the United States, and bound in so many more respects by tradition and precedent, and (2) the effect upon the trans- portation problem in cities of the growing sentiment in favor of municipal ownership. There are people who oppose the introduction of elec- tric traction from the foolish nation that it will rob of employment a lot of men now conveying passengers by other means. Thus the street car drivers of Limerick were recently moved to give vent to their feelings on the subject in a riot. And only to-day an intelligent looking man to whom I spoke in one of the Liverpool parks evi- dently had misgivings in regard to the new fangled cars, for he had heard that “one life had been lost on their account already.” I wondered how he would have felt had he lived in Brooklyn during the past five years! But conservatism on the part of the people is not an un- surmountable barrier. It has not been unknown when measures of progress have been proposed in the United States, but when the possibility of a new enterprise pay- ing a good dividend has been assured, capital generally has been forthcoming, and the “ old fogies,” if they have not yielded, have simply been ignored. Capitalas a rule is not wanting in London, when a good investment offers, but I am assured by a fellow American, now on this side of the Atlantic, that it would be easier to raise money over here for a tramway system in any city of the United States than for one in England, owing to the second consideration I have mentioned. The really great obstacle to the organization of elec- tric railway companies in England is that the munic- ipalities are almost certain to claim an option on the roads, and the feeling is that, in case there should be good dividends in sight, the city would exercise its op- tion, whereas if it proved not to be a financial success it might be left in the hands of the stockholders. I do not understand that the municipalities are in every case es- pecially concerned about owning the tramways. But the introduction of electric lighting in Great Britain has been widespread, and as a rule the plants are owned by the towns. Not unnaturally, therefore, when the sugges- tion is made to build a street railway, the proposal comes up that the lighting and traction services might be oper- ated economically together. In one case recently a prop- osition has been discussed in two town councils relative to a connecting electric road, but “the barrier to agree- ment is as to who shall supply the current.” In some cases the introduction of electricity must be preceded by the purchase. by the municipalities or otherwise. of the existing horse tramways, and this is not always an easy matter. The Council of Exeter, for example, are willing to pay for the local horse tramways. the valuation agreed upon by appraisers, with a bonus of 10 per cent., but the Syndicate which has prudently gained control of the roads stands out for a bonus of 40 per cent. Thus each town appears to have troubles of its own. in addition to those which apply generally. Americans do not need to be told in how many ways the building of a street railway by any city might prove more expensive than if built by private enterprise, or how unsatisfactory it may be for private parties to build a line under regulations enforced by a town electrical THE IRON AGE. engineer, such as now appears in the list of officials of many British municipalities. But not only do local au- thorities have to be consulted, but the National Board of Trade as well. ‘Che situation would be much the same if a proposition by private parties to building a new elec- tric line on Staten Island had first to be approved by the Municipal Legislature of New York, and then by the Treasury Department at Washington, always with the proviso that the city might acquire it, after a certain time, from the private capitalists constructing it. It is easy t