THE SCKAKTON TRIBUNE-WJjJD2?JSS DAY, JANUARY 1, 1902.
-3
ANTON EXPERIENCED
A PROSPEROUS YEAR
Strikes and Other Untoward Events
Electric Citn Shared Generouslu
the Country's Prosperity.
;ause for
PESSIMISTIC VIEWS
Inc of Business the City Has Ever Known Failures By Far
Losses Less Than Picccdlng Year Clearing House Associa-
s a Most Gratifying Report Interviews with Bankers, Busl-
i, Real Estate Agents and Manufacturers Which Show That
Just Closed Was a Most Successful One and That the Future
(ton Is Full of Bright Promise.
FrON Is not going to the bow wows.
lot much.
Tobody has said she is, but there are those of a naturally
limistic turn of mind, who have been, for some time, har-
ft of fear that the Electric city was in decline; that she had
1st days and that her futuro was not promising.
no good ground for any such fear.
L it is true, has had a regrettably large number of strikes;
her steel mills, and because of these and Bome other few
I'ard events, her real estate is sluggish.
Site the strikes, the year 1901 was a banner year in the
Itory of Scranton. The steel mill went, but in its place is
t as sure as anything human can be assured, an enterprise
ray concern that will be a hundred fold more bene-
of confidence caused a depression in the real estate market,
ice is gradually but surely being restored, and there is no
that the immediate future will see real estate once mora
trards.
is too big, too wide, too aggressive, too well-grounded to
lly disturbed by the unfavorable experiences she has encoun-
If she was hurt to any considerable extent there would be
tion of it in the year's business reports. Such indication is
fting. Scranton had her full share and more of the prosperity
country at large has been enjoying.
I view of marshaling an array of facts and figures to substan
tiation that Scranton is "all, all right," the Tribune went
Ithe men who have their fingers on the city's business pulse
Uligent inquiry as to how the Electric city is faring. The
sanguine of the city having enjoyed a year of remarkable
Ibut the result of its canvass was pleasantly surprising.
fe some excerpts from letters in response to the Tribune's re-
lexpressions:
Neatest volume of business in the city's history." W. H.
Iiager, R. G. Dun & Co.
Ive we are near the period of our greatest prosperity."
jansing, president of the Scranton board of trade.
leposits increased at an unprecedented rate." H. C. Shafer,
Ianton Savings bank,
on trade presents a most assuring aspect." W. D. Zehnder,
Scranton Bolt and Nut company.
Iggest business we have done in our experience of thirty-one
Imuel Bamter, clothing.
3d a year as we have ever had in the shoe business." C. W.
ISchank & Spencer-.
Imenal increase in business." Cleland & Simpson, Globe Ware
lear the clothing business has ever experienced. M. H. Grif-
Iceptionally good year." Jonas Long's Sons' department store,
e wholesalers made money." Joseph Levy, of Rice & Xevy.
pst holiday season on record." C. S. Woolworth, notions, etc.
Ing future for real estate Rj, E. Comegys, W. T. Hackett,
iiager.
us increase in clearings Clearing House association,
vious records broken Postofflce reports.
ve building operations Building Inspector F. L. Brown.
are attributed by the unfortunate ouch
to the temporary cessation of travel
rm street cars, nml It may bo that the
January and February liquidation of
purchase accounts may uncover olhcrB
whose business has decreased nmtc-rlullv.
Some Banking Figures
In the commercial world the reportB
of the Clearing House association Is re
garded iih the most reliable of all gen
eral trade barometers. If this reliance
is not misplaced, Scianton had n mar
vellously busy year. The Increase In
clearings In 1900 over 1899 was, In round
numbers, $1,GOO,000. The Inclose ot 1901
over 1900 was nearly $12,000,000.
Here arc some figures from the an
nual report of the Sornnton Clearing
House association, made public for the
first time:
Clearing for 1901 y.S,;,(rt,7 00
Clearings for l()UO M,S;$,O0O U't
Dun & Co's Report.
18D9. 1000. 1801.
58 70 48
41 57 25
17 22 23
485.600 345.742 345.700
212.G0O 144.430 140.900
382.700 297.742 215.000
102.000 48.000 130.700
108.100 124.005 102.300
44.500 20.425 47.000
43',(.:,. 41Vj 47',i
42',:. 42?r 30
Id by W. H. Logan, manager, at the request of the Scranton
1898.
County 62
liton 31
cranton 31
228.525
104.745
pity 123.725
lutside 104.800
622.045
Ide 42.500
Liabh.Ues, City 45V,
Liabilities, outside 41
lboo tabulation, hhowing the record of mcic-uiitilc failures, eover-
Bl ot four years, In Lackawanna county, there is ample opportu
nely. Tho most noteworthy feature Is the small number of fall-
city during 1901, bilng six less than 1898, sixteen less than 1800,
l.vo less Uinn 1900,
jregatc defaulted debts are practically the same as In 1900, but
lless than 1899; besides tho percentage of assets to liabilities has
un 41H percent, to -i per cent.
separate lines of trade uro represented In the twenty-live fnll-
record of two previous years Is sustained by no failures oecur-
iiiniiufnctiirlug pursuit.
.115,000 liabilities, $170,000 Is represented in live fuiluies, leaving
i umtrlbuiecl among twenty others.
raining iufluenco of tho bankruptcy liiw lias been apparent in
mces, and flagrant fraud has been alleged In but one case, where
lr absconded. Only two of the falling traders are passing
oaiiKruptcy court,
lumty, outside of tlio city of Scranton, tho number of failures and
le Indebtedness Is substantially the same as In 1900, and JS8.000 of
ji.w.iuu (loniH is accounted for in tho fnl hire of three mlamnn-
ructiit'iiiur companies. Fifteen separate lines of business are ren-
II it Is noted that the percentage of assets to liabilities has de
l 42 per cent in 1900 to 30 per cent. In 1901,
libulatlon, no account Ih taken of thoso who have retired from
lliout succeeding and who have, or will have soon, discharged the
incurred.
Iber of active mercantile and manufacturing concerns in the
Increased about eight per cent, during the year, a good portion of
appearing in sumiinan towns and the least amount In the cltv
endency of the smaller enterprises being to locate In adjacent
than In Hie city,
me of business transacted In Scianton In 1901 Is confidently
vo ieen the largest in Us history, this fact applying to prne-
auenes oi iratio, nianuiucturing, Jouning and retail, wages
iter, lauor nas ncun steadily employed, and the wage pavmentB
Imequalled in tho aggregate. The number of stores operated In
vim mines nas ueen reduced and t he r n ace taken bv smaller
ill of whom have felt tho wholesome benellt of the semi-monthly
lit tt f.nfil fr. 111,, T u,ibn,i(i,mq ....nln.. I, t .M ...111 u ,.
. w wwm w. ,. .u .M,, MIIDM IVfclUII, l IO BUiU, JII IfUC'll
000 tons. There la an active demand for all coal mined and the
continuous operation seems to bo good,
e collections have been satisfactory, nnd there has been a munl-
on on the part of the larger grantors of credit to require smaller
N recognize the necessity of shorter credits, in view nf mmv antln.
IllttnnH.
flness of tho city has suffered some Interruption durliiB the pubt
is by reason of a strike of the traction company's employes, but
tpnvprlnp. frnm tltla oiwl tV, l.nll.ln.. ...... In ,nl.n.. .... ...l..,..
.--w,....a , ,,,,,, M,,,, t,,u iiuimuj uuuci lunvu UO U W1IUIV, VUB
lr, However, two recent failures, involving over $50,000 liabilities.
Iiicicj-ip In 1001 fll.olfi.iUi) 1)7
dealing fur ISM G.'.U'i.SJei lit
dealings for tens it,7i.-.,iii7 is
Largest clcmlng of any uiniilli In
1001 0,IM,2.W10
Largest clearing of any inonlh In
WOO. ;,l(,17l !l
There was not u single month of 1901
but what exceeded Its corresponding
month In 1900 by a good sized margin.
In the matter of bank deposits some
gratifying figures are also to be had.
Despite the fact that three new banks
were started during the year each of
the nine old banks report a heavy In
crease in deposits and In nearly every
Instance the Increase was comparative
ly larger than the preceding year.
The three new banks already average
more limn a quarter of a million hi de
posits. The average increased deposits
of the nine old banks is ?330,000.
Incidentally, it might be mentioned
here, as an evidence of the bankers'
faith In Sernnton's future, that six of
the nine old banks and one of the new
ones have recentlv built or are about
to build handsome new homes for them
selves, while another of the old banks
contemplates extensive additions and
Improvements to Its building lo accom
modate Us rapidly growing business.
The following Is an expression from
II. C. Shafer, cashier of the Scranton
Savings bank:
"The outlook for Scranton's business
development is encouraging much
more so than it was a year or two ago.
The deposits in our banks have in
creased ut an unprecedented rate. And
the result of this increase will sooner
or later be reflected in an increasing
industrial activity.
"Our toilers in the mines and shops
are working steadily at belter wages
than over before. Industrial growth
has been retarded through fear and be
cause of Industrial disturbances. This
obstacle lo prosperity will be removed
when laborer and employer come to
realize that their Interests are mutual
and that friendly co-operation means
mutual prosperity. This happy con
dition seems likely to be realized soon
er or later, the initiative along this Hue
having been taken hi New York late
ly, when representatives ot labor and
Industry met in friendly discussion to
devise methods of solving the questions
that have heretofore been so perplexing."
Increase 1R05 over HOI,.,,,,, S.Sfll.ol or D
Increase ISM our ISO." ..1B,:t70.Mor 10M0
lncro.Ko 1W over 1S'l. .,,,,,!(, MfUl or I2ti&
Imtrnic 1$'S our 1S")7 I0,4,1.r,rnr S
tiiriiMc 18IW our tsn ".Ml.nsor iii
lnclcac 1P0O our IMr i.,:il.lM.I.OI or 21 1100
tncrcAM- inoi ovor l'x),, ...lo.frtl.o-j or 10 8-10
M roininml wllli ,uir iwwi
liiiir.ir lint inn l&'M...,? l7,!!.,Wor 41 7O0
lnrrci)M ISM nur Iftti ,,, hl,1f.Ml ur ll'.i
tmrpiKe 1907 our l8'U,,,, IS,si)1.'Jior .Vi 100
hitrcofo 1RW) our 180.1.,., i',ii,n(W.ill or 71 M0
huTMi lfOT our 1S'.... ii7,2.U.tii or ?1 :iOo
lnricii lPOO our ISIU..,. 101, liiii,oil or 12i:M0
lnrrM.c 1001 our ISO.!,,,, CL'.ftM.IU or l,V2O0
Tlio lowlilq for (lip in, ,nth of llmnitier, Mil,
Mirpawil tlmo of any utl.er month Mr.ip die c
lublWiiiiont of lliu Scriitilmi olllc 'tlioy amount.
oil lo -JI.717.ll. The iut lililiot Win In Oc
tober lift, !0,l.l.87.
Building Statistics.
According to (lgures compiled by
Building Inspector F. L. Brown, the
past year has been an exceedingly
brisk one In the building line, the total
value of buildings elected being almost
twice the value of those erected in 1900.
The following table shows the num
ber of permits taken out for each
month during the past year nnd the
value of the buildings for which they
were taken out, as compared with
similar figures for the year 1900: -Number
ppnutlt. Valuition
1000. 1001. l!WO. 1001,
.linuary .'17 '.'I 41,285 17.VM:,
l'ebnury 20 lo 41,81", .72"i
March 40 .Tl ii.l,vi'i i:,,07:.
April 4.! ::; si.hoo 43,on
May CO 51 Wi,7:ai 1,7,11.11
June 70 US 170,UIIi 11.1,070
July IS .1" 10I.PA-, I-I.U'IJ
August ft 41 .W,.'irt 1S,1B3
September .... Hi 71 H7,(l."! 211,450
October 41 121 1.1,01.1 aro.oou
Normlier 12 in 70,000 S2,21l
December 4.1 41 :l7,:m a00,2S5
' Toluh 5IS .'ii'. V)49,M1 (i,7S5,S2.1
Among the larger miscellaneous build
ings for which permits were taken out
may bo mentioned the following: Thir
teenth regiment nrmory, $128,000; y. M.
C. A. building, $1SO,000; International
Correspondence Schools' prlntery, $250,
000; addition to Connell building, $100,
000; Merchuuts' and Mechnnlcs' bank,
$70,000.
The mercantile buildings erected cost
ing moie than $10,000, were as follows:
J. n. Doyle, $10,000; Williams & Me
Anulty, $18,000; Ueuwood estate, $17,
000; Matthews Urotheis, JIO.OOO; R U
Crane, $11,000.
A glance over the following list,
showing tho value ot buildings erected
for Industrial purpoqes, costing over
$10,000, i events the fact that many of
the largest of Scranton's Industries
have not been In a state ot torpidity
during the past year: Holt and Nut
works, $11,000; Allls-Cluilniers company,
$20,000; Scranton Hallway company,
$33,000; Cliff works, $20,000; M, Robin
son brewery, $10,000,
Out of tho total of 5S5 permits Issued,
twenty-threo only were for buildings
costing $10,000 or more, showing that
most of the new buildings erected have
been low-priced,
Post Office Figures.
Appended is Postniusler K, II, Hip
pie's contribution ot leaven to Sernn
ton's conlhlence. Tho figures show that
in tho postolllce the year 1901 was a
record-breojker In receipts; that the
month of OVtober surpassed all previ
ous months and was In turn surpassed
by the month of December, and that
the increase for the year 1901 over 1900
was almost as large an the increase ot
1900 over 1899, although 1899 showed the
unprecedented increase of 22 6-10 per
cent, over Its preceding year;
Bales of poitugo tUmpa anil stamped paper at
the Scranlcn postofflce, )W 16W to lWt, in
clihlvc:
iwi , .,.,,..,,f) S.'jia m
181)1 , ,.,.,, 01,20729
1S05 .,..,,., ,.,, 100.WJ1 S3
1SW , 117,010 6S
1807 131,010 01
ISM ,,..,.....,., U,(teJ 41
1S90 110,010 70
looa H3,$sisn
1001 i. 214,737 72
Incitue lbtn over lb03 o,55O.10orllH
General Conditions.
JAMES A. LANSING, president of
the board of trade "The reports from
all sections of the country show that
tho Industrial development and volume
of business done In 1901 are the great
est In our history.
"The amount of money paid out In
Scranton Is the largest In many yearn,
and while the volume of business done
has been considerably In excess of many
previous years, It has fallen much be
low what tho coinmerclnl conditions ot
the country should warrant.
"Industrial development and progress
In Scranton have lagged. Continuous
strikes have mnde capltnl timid, labor
restless nnd values feverish nnd un
settled. Our capitalists, Instead of In
vesting money at home, have sought
other fields for Investment. Heal es
tate has depreciated In value, and
manufacturers seeking new locutions to
establish plants, have been frightened
away from our city.
"I believe that a change Is near at
hand, when the professional agitator
whose job Is gone when Industrial peace
and harmony prevail will be compelled
to retire to the background, where ho
belongs.
"We have no Idlers in the Scranton
h.ee-hlve of industry, and when we re
turn to our normal conditions and nil
work In harmony with the common
purpose of making the most of our
present opportunity. Scranton will again
resume Its rightful position as the most
law-abiding, aggressive and progress
ive community in the east. If not In the
whole country.
"I have every confidence In our peo
ple and resouices, and believe we are
near the period of our greatest pros
perity." SAMUKI. SAMTUH "The year 1901
was tho best In the clothing- busi
ness in Scranton of any of the thirty
one years of our experience in this
line of trade, and from my observa
tion 1 would confidently say that all
the leading houses in this line can
make a similar repot I. There never
lias been such a volume of trade, and
what Is more Indicative of prosperity
the demand from all classes has been
for a better grade of goods than each
heretofore had been buying.
"It has been a year of remarkable
prosperity throughout the whole coun
try and Scranton, despite many draw
backs, has had a very liberal share of
tills prosperity.
"The year just opening promises to
bo a record breaker in the clothing
business. In all lines of wearables, the
winter trade opened up a month earlier
than usual. This paved the way for a
thorough cleaning up of s-iock, the
prompt payment of bills and a belter
inventory of bills than would have re
sulted with a later opening up of win
ter trade.
"The stilkes, to my mind, had more
of a fancied than real ill effect on busi
ness conditions. The strike of the
street car men. for instance, was more
a matter of inconvenience to the cus
tomer than a detriment to trade. The
customers came, although the coming
cost an extra effort. Scranton dealers
In some lines of trade, of course, lost
custom to the smaller suburban deal
ers, but this loss was far from general,
and surely will not have a generally
bad effect because the most It meant
was the diverting of circulation from
one avenue to another. Money was
plentiful and It circulated.
"Scranton's future is all right. AVlth
the new street railway system in oper
ation, the water rate question settled,
as it must be, satisfactorily, and the
proper Inducements held out lo Indus
tries that knock at our gates, there will
be a prosperity here such ns Scranton
never before knew, I am not worrying
about a possible continuance of tho la
bor troubles that have marked the past
year. The tendency Is away from these
conflicts. The time Is at hand when
labor and capital In this locality will
come together through a neutral, fair
minded medium for the settlement ot
any dispute they can not settle be
tween themselves. The spirit permeat
ing tho National Civic Federation Is
here and it will soon be dominant here.
No one hns cause to lack confidence In
the future or the Klectric City."
P. S. WOOMVOnTH It was the
best holiday season In my experience.
Some who through lack of confidence,
did not put In their usual stock, may
not be nble to report this, but It waa
their own fault, There was plenty ot
trade for those who got out after It In
the right way.
JOHN- SIMPSON, of Cleland &
Simpson The fall season of 1901 was
the best wo ever had. The year as u
whole showed a phenomenal Increase
In business. Labor Is employed full
time, money is plentiful and the valley
Is In good shape. We have a spending
public and the public now has money.
Our holiday season was fifty per cent,
better than last year,
M. II. GIUFFIN, Clothier This is the
best year I have experienced. There
has beep vastly more business than
last year and I can say thero never was
such a demand for high class goods.
I feel very confident of a very prosper
ous new year In all lines of trade,
JONAS I.ONd'S SONS It wlH nil
exceptionally good year. Wo did an
Immense business In every department
and our holiday trade was nt times so
largo wo could not handle it.
C. W. BCIIANK, ot Scliank & Spen
cerThe year just closed was us good
a year, If not tho best, we have over
had In the shoe business. Hut for a
falling off In the holiday business It
would have far exceeded all previous
years.
JOSni'II LEVY, of Hlce & Levy All
(he wholesalers made money. The semi
monthly pays resulted In more satis
factory collections and better reguluted
credits. There was big buying and
prompt paying and good prices pre
vailed In all the markets. It was a ro
markably successful year with tho
wholesalers.
Real Estate.
Thut there Iuib been a decline In real
estate values can not ho gainsaid. That
the decline has by no means been a
slump and that there is an Immediate
futuro for real estate In Scranton is a
certainty. Appended are somo Inter
esting views on this subject that should
go far towards Inspiring confidence in
any one who mny be dubious as to tho
future of Scranton property:
It. KltNKST COM1SOYS t gladly
Join lii saying something Unit may
kill the false Impression abroad that
Scranton Is not prosperous. Who
ever heard ot a proRpctuus community
which does tint have some labor trou
bles? Pittsburg, the second wealthiest
and by far tho most prosperous: city In
our state, It not In the United States,
Is tho home of strikes. Strikes never
occur In "graveyard cities."
Scranton Is prosperous. Ten years
ago wo had but 73,000 people. Today
we have over 100.000, Where is thero
another city showing n larger percent
age ot growth?
Think of the ImpiovementH going -on
at this time here. Tho Merchants' and
Mechanics' bank building, of which
there Ik none belter anil more beautiful
In the country: the First National bank
building on Lackawanna avenue, the
third richest hank In America; the
Title Guaranty and Trust company's
beautiful new building on Spruce
street; tho largest and most up-to-date
young Men's Christian association
building, with five exceptions, In the
country; Hie new mechanical buildings
of that tremendous Institution, the Na
tional Text Hook company, said lo be
the largest of Its kind to be found any
where, and many other Important en
terprises. The Connell building when
completed will afford more offices than
any office building In the Hlutc outside
of Philadelphia and Pittsburg. If in
dications mean anything, we are soon
to have the great Pennsylvania railroad
unloading Its passengers near the heart
of our city, lllch and new trolley com
panies are ready to take possession of
our streets as soon as councils give the
word. These are the things that should
Inspire faith In the future ot Scranton.
Taxes. Wo hear a great deal about
taxes now-a-days. Philadelphia, Pitts
burg and Allegheny have had our pres
ent experience and they live and pros
per to tell the tale, and so will we. And
this cry of taxes has had a great deal
to do with real estate values, but It
should not. The taxes of any other
city physically situated as is Scranton,
would be as high as our taxes.
The real cause of the decline In the
prices of real estate here Is not fur to
see. The same cause exists all over
the country with a few exceptions.
History is repeating itself. There are
two Important channels through which
money Is Invested, one Is leal estate
and the other industries, such as busi
ness and manufacturing'. For the past
several years Industries in tills country
have been prospering and profitable,
consequently people have been putting
their money Into them. Scranton real
estate Is as low as It will ever be. Vte
ports from other cities Indicate that
the tide of Investments are In favor of
real estate, as safest at this time, and
the Immediate future.
It is true that our merchants have
had good reasons to complain ot the
falling off of business during the past
few months, but they will lose nothing
by it in the end. The money still re
innlns in the valley and will eventually
come back to the city. As long as
Scranton is the central distributing
point it must come back. And then we
can look at this in another light. Sev
eral years ago Scranton had the distinc
tion of being a wonderfully prosperous
city and this fact was known through
out the whole countrv, and as a con
sequence people came here from almost
everywhere to do business, thereby cre
ating competition among our merchants
to such an extent that there were more
failures in Scranton than in any other
city Its size In the state. Statistics
prove this. Today this Is not the case
and we believe that the condition ot
our merchants is better than at any
time for a number of yenrs.
When the labor troubles are ended
and faith restored in the future of this
wonderful city, we who are on the
ground will liso with the tide of pros
perity and listen to the re-echo of that
voice from the mountain sides, saying
better wages, higher prices for real es
tate, work for everybody and good-will
between capital and labor.
W. T. HACKETT 1 believe the fu
ture of our city, socially, Intellectually,
financially (and I hope, morally), will
far surpass its brilliant past.
The Immediate past has been very
dark and tho effect has been very dis
tressing and depressing. Put the clouds
are lifting and the sunshine of pros
perity Is beginning to shine, and before
another new year's day we will forget
tho trials of 1900 and 1901 in the grate
ful contemplation of what 1902 lias
wrought and the brighter prospects for
1903.
1 believe there is a great future
ahead of us, because our city today Is
a giant in its great strength and wealth
of resources as compared With a few
years ago. AVhat city of our size has
the banking strength that we have?
What Inland city can offer greater ad
vantages to manufacturers than Scran
ton Uut to my mind our greatest
strength lies In the fact that today wo
have an army of noble young men and
women, graduates of our public and
private schools, who are ready and
anxious to place Scranton in the fore
front of American cities. With the su
perior educational advantages of our
young people added to the wisdom and
wealth of their parents, are they not
better prepared to grapple with and
solve the moral, social, political, com
mercial mid financial problems of the
futuro? Can thero he any question us
to tho results? Assuredly not, If you
have any doubt as to the material that
our young people nie made of, just pick
out a few of the bright young people
among the many hundreds, yes thous
ands, In our city today, and watcli
their career during the next ten years.
With such an array of young Morgans,
Depews and Iloosovelts, as we doubt
less have right here In our midst, the
glorious future of our city is assured.
Again, by way of encouragement, one
of our young merchants Informs ino
that his holiday trude was double that
ot a year ago, and thut from present
Indications, he will have to move Into
larger quarters to accommodate his in
creasing business.
As for the real estate business, I
would say that unless our moneyed
men uud contractors, get together and
build some more houses and flats, wo
will luivo to erect tents shortly to sup
ply the demand. New comers uud
young married people are boarding be
cause they cannot find suitable apart
ments for housekeeping.
Wo need also to havo erected, for
bale, a number of medium. priced, mod
ern houses that ca.i be purchased on
eusy monthly payments. Wo need also
more factory space with power. I, had
a call last week from a silk manufac
turer looking for mill spaco with pow
er, Wo need also several more large
up-to-date, boarding houses like the
Nash und Holland,
And lastly and all the time we want
everybody in Scranton to talk and
work for Scranton, and then we will
soon have everything coining our way,
CHAKLES SCHLAGEIt The year
1901, I believe, has been to most
i
biiMitcn men. and thousands of
workmen of this city a prosper,
oun yenr. Whut might It have
been to all the people had we been as
free from stilkes and boycotts as' In
the days of yore! Under normal con
dltloim we would undoubtedly have
ranked ns tho greatest and most sue
ccssfiit city of Its size in the land, Un
fortunately the labor troubles struck
us like n terrible cyclone and lo quite
nn extent checked the year's prosper
ity. Many of our citizens think real es
tate has been dead during the year,
Thut Is not correct. Large and costly
striiciures have been and are now In
course of construction In the heart of
town, Others will follow during the
now year. The number of new homes
erected In different parts ot the city
nre, I think, quite up to former years.
A visit to the outskirts ot our city will
convince the most skeptical that hun
dreds of pretty homes have been erect
ed. Naturally their would have been a
greater number under more favorable
clrctiinslances. The very few houses
for rent In Scranton certainly Indicates
'that our city continues to grow. Weeks
and mouths are spent by new residents
In finding suitable homes: these people
are surprised ut the great scarcity of
vacant houses In so large a city.
AVlth the present strike and boycott
settled nnd a continuation of the coun
try's prosperity, with all mines and fac
toilcs working nt full time In our city
and valley stlie people of Scranton will.
I think, sec a great business and real
estate boom during the new year. Let
us look with cheerful hearts lo 1902,
and all pull together, to make It the
most successful yenr In Scranton's history.
The Iron Trade.
Some thoughtful comments are con
tained In the following contribution on
"The Iron Trade," from W. D. Zehnder,
president of the Scranton Bolt and Nut
company:
Time and space will not permit proper
consideration ot this subject. Three
phases confront us: The past, present
and future. With two we are familiar;
the third is a mere conjecture.
Our Industrial life, like the beach of
the ocean, is constantly changing. The
time Is, no doubt, within the memory of
the majority of citizens of Scranton
when Iron was the chief centre of at
traction, and the city occupied a pros
pective position of ranking first among
the lronycentres of our country.
In the past we enjoyed the distinction
of being pioneers, both In the manufac
ture of Iron and slcel, and of possess
ing at one time what Is said to have
been the largest Industry of its kind in
this country. The niuld transforma
tion from Iron to steel changed all these
conditions, which were rapidly met and
maintained until such time as natural
resources compelled a transfer to a
point nearer the base of supplies. I
refer, of course, to ore deposits. While
we have lost for the present the manu
facture of steel, there Is no reason why
we should not retain the manufacture
of such articles as we now possess In
Iron, and add largely thereto. So that,
I hold, the present offers a most assur
ing aspect, and the future holds out
bright hopes to participate In the gen
eral advancement that must assuredly
take place.
When the statistics of 190J are writ
ten, It will be seen that we have passed
through a most remarkable year In the
Iron and steel business: that as a na
tion we have uroduced appioximately
17,000,000 tons of pig iron, consumed
very largely within our borders: that
the increase In this production in the
last twenty-live years has been over
1,000 per cent.; and that our own state
will stand first on the recoid.
I note from the industrial statistics
that in the year of 1900 we produced in
this state C,C49,000 tons ot iron and steel,
and that Lackawanna county held
fourth position in the list, producing
4.G7 per cent. Allegheny county led,
with 3S per cent.: Dauphin, second In
position: Cambria, third. With these
facts befoie us. It is apparent to every
one that Iron and steel Is the most Im
portant factor in our Industrial life,
and likely will for many years to come
retnln the honored title of "king."
We are entering a period of recon
struction which extends into all lines
steamships, railroads, locomotives, cars,
bridges and bulldlncs the basis ot
which is Iron and steel: and through
which we may hope for a period of
prosperity.
The depression prior to the year of
'99 found us recovei ing from the lowest
values we had ever reached. The rapid
rise during that year, and the reaction
following, convulsed our whole indus
trial life, as the two extremes had been
met within one year. And It was not
until the spring of 1901 that we were
able to recover ourselves and find a
true basis. Early In the year through
which wo havo just passed, values as
sumed a normal position, and have con
tinned so throughout.
Labor In iron and steel Is rewarded
today, on the highest base It has
reached In years, nnd peace reigns
throughout Its realms. We enter upon
the new year with most encouraging
conditions; and If we can but remem
ber our days of adveislty, ho that the
rccoiieciiuns or uiesu niuy iiuvu a suukt,
fying effect upon us in our prosperity,
I see no reason why wo shall not hope
that the year now entered upon shall
contribute to both employer and em
ploye alike, the greatest blessing, from
n temporal standpoint, that we havo
as yet enjoyed. "Lest we forget," let
us recall the past and profit thereby,
advancing cautiously and preparo for
the reliction sure to confront us In due
course of time.
On Juno 1, 1S99, ground was broken
for the construction of tho plant with
which I am connected. Wo havo been
in operation, now, exactly two years.
During this time, by hard, untiring ef
fort, we havo operated, practically,
every day. We were fortunate in se
curing In tills city an organization of
which wo are proud. Tho bulk of our
employes have been ant students, and
many have risen from nominal posi
tions upon which they entered, to that
of makers of bolts, mils, etc.
Our policy Iuih been to retard no
man's progiess who exhibited a dis
position and ability to rise, or curtail
any man's ability to produce. Tlio
reputation of the product of these
works has been established both In
quality und workmanship, and muy be
found north, south, east and west; und
is exported to South Africa, Mexico,
Cuba, Porto Rico. South America und
the Orient."
Competition has been keen; at times
extremely so, Wo have therefore found
It necessary to increase some depart
ments, and havo Just completed the
construction of 17,000 square feet of
factory buildings, in which will be
placed a lurge number of new machines,
some of which are now on the ground,
others uro being built. This will neces
sarily Increase tho number of employes
very largely from the 330 that we now
have.
PERMITS FDR f
THE MONTH
1TAV2 BEEN ISSUED BY ISPEC
TOB BROWN.
One of Them Was for the Nw
Prlntery of tho International Txt
Book Company Which Will Cost
More Than ?250,000 Tho Pennl.
Cost $128 Permits Were Issued
for the Erection of a Number of
New Dwelling Houses and Repairs
of Others.
A building permit for the most ex
pensive building on the books of the
building Inspector's department whs
Issued yeslcrduy by Hulldlng Inspector
Brown to the International Text-Book
company for the mammoth prlntery to
be erected on Wyoming aventio for the
International Correspondence schools.
The building will be 107x480 feet In
size and will cost $230,000. It will be
three stories high and will be built of
brick. The permit cost tho company
$12S. The other permits Issued during
the month thus ended were as follows:
.lumci .1. Ilatl, Mteeiilli ulicct, altcrelto.
,1. It. Varr, Tun menoe, 22x28, three two.
lory frame dwelling..
Dmll l'anll, Meadow itlrrel, addition.
Clulftt rliurcli, Wmldngton avenue, tltcr.llanr
mid lep.ili.
M. 1'. flow ley, Anthony ntreet, bum.
If. 1. JenUiu, Ktst Jlinkct Micet, S0t54, green
llOII'S.
A. IV Hunt, I.artjwamu avenue, alteritlon.
Wistiliiiin, Williams fc Co., Meridian ttrcct,
3tli2, Alahle and nlieil.
St. Mork'n Lutheran church, Washburn street,
alteration and repair.
M, l. Ileau, lfajelte Mreet, stable anil ahop.
I'. A. Kl7.Pi-, Brown acmic, dwelling.
Luther Keller, Wet Lackawanna avenue, 21
SO, ftoiehonsr.
Spruk" Brother, Linden atreet, Ave two-alorj
houses, 34SO.
Klli-abrlh IlouiA Bouleiard, barn.
Ijcob Trie", l'rricott avenue, alteration.
XeUon, Morris & Co., Kisriith fctrcet, barn.
Xay Ann: Lumber company, Bundle avenue,
two-story dwelling, 18v15.
If. A. Kaufliold. Pieraitt aenuc, single dwell
Inir, two etoilt-g, 2SV2.1.
Delaware, Lacknwanna and Western IUlhoad
company, Xoith .Main avenue, addition.
Deliware. Ixkawunii and Western Rlhoacl com
paly, near Dodge mine?, 10313, boiler house.
Mu. Jane .limes, Bromley avenue, two-story
dwelling;, K.10.
Jaine Kern. Kllrabeth street, two-story single
dwelling-, lSxJO.
.1. B. Jones, Luzerne etreet, blngle dwelllnj,
Itit.ie.
Chiisti Coll. Ninth sheet, three-story flat,
:!0-!40.
1. I'. Oorrigaii, Fourth street, carriage houw
and dwelling, Ivo stories.
August Blair, Snulli Irving acnue, two-story
addition.
Charles C. Miller, Short avenue, two-story dou
ble house, 003S.
.1. W. Alwortli, Providence road, two-story sin
gle dwelling.
Flunk Hazard, DkWn avenue, alteration.
Charen I)u Font llieck, trustee, Bea'eh street,
alleiatlon and icu.iir.
Mr-". Mary Cogglns Linden aticet, double house,
34-42.
K. V. I itch, Uonlcv.ud, ice home.
(loiner Thomr., Bundle avenue, club house,
l'JNld.
Maiy H.i",rciI.v, Bennett sheet, two-story single
dwelling.
Tijilcra' lte.il (Mate company, Harrison ave
nue, Iwo-olory hti,ttlr dwelling.
1". A, Kirer, Blown avenue, two two-story
dwelling?, 24x23.
International Tet Book company, piintciy, 1K7
xl?0. three-viory brick, fri'iO.OOO.
The above list is not quite complete
so that the total figures cannot be gy
en.
ALL WILL BE HABMONY.
Organization of the Poor Board on
Friday.
The Scranton poor board will reor
Kanlxe on Friday afternoon and froip
present indications there will be no
contests for any of tho offices.
Ileese G. Brooks will undoubtedly
succeed himself as president, and J.?.
Joseph Gillespie will be unopposed for
secietary. 13. II. Vernoy, tho collector
of taxes, has Intimated that he has no
especial wish to succeed himself and
for this reason Harry G. Dale has be
come a candidate for this place anil
will probably he elected, as thero Is
no opposing: candidate in the field.
Ambroze Hers: will be given another
term as terasurer and George Eeemer,
who has given such splendid satisfac
tion as superintendent of the Hillside
Home, will be re-elected unanimously,
A POLICE INSPECTION.
Revolvers and Other Paraphernalia
to be Looked Over.
Superintendent of Police Lona Day
yesterday Issued an order providing for
an inspection of all police parapher
nalia on Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Tho members of the force will as
semble at that hour and particular
care will bo taken In Inspecting their
revolvers. Any weapons which are not
in good order will be condemned and
their owners furnished with new one?.
LIST OF ADVERTISED LETTERS.
i.UL of k-tlciri lenijliilnif un hand In llu
b'cranlou io,ttillke, I.nckavjuuiy county,. I'j.,
.la ii. l, luul, Pumiih cilllnir, for IlieXq, Jetted
will please jy udvcrticd and' give dijte' of Hit
Kzi.i II. Hippie, potliuj'tei, ' '
.Vniiln Dr. .1. h. K. A "u. " ' '
Albeit, Arlington .McClelland,' .llnlM
AIMniouxon, Mr. JohnVoorc, Mm. Mary
Aibtln hhoc Co. lannecy,; f, A,
Armsliong, Mrs. Maiy Miller, Mrs, Lupy V.
Bates. Lconunl W. Morlcc. Mrt. 1i. 1
BiQwnliig A Bros. Mlcholl'i 1'. '1(1'
Blown, C'haiU'j Mulioonvy, Mk-a Belinda
Houldry, I'li'd Mailn, llujean
Benton, SlH, .1, V, Moore, Charles M".
lluike, Mlaa Viola M. Muldoon, 'Mrs. Ann
Brawn, Mr, .Inncy Martlu, Miss llamry
Bovvers, Mm. J. ty, Mahon. 1 J,
Brady, Hugh Cow ell, Mlsa I'.ltzatK'IK
Bojd, K. A. I'olndcttcr, V. W.
demons, W. Bobbins, Blanch
Cairoll, Ml-s Mai.v ltost, Mit, J. It..
Connell, Mlsa Kate llidgeway, Mil. JJ, I).
("jnnon, Mi. J, W, Itjntlnberg, Albeit
(lonron, F. C, it, Joseph's I'lohllory,
Cuibin, ('. It. Smith, Mhu Mary A.
Chubb, Mrs. II. II. Shllhcnrv, Mar
Oornlngan, I!. .Smith, Jloitokv
Davlea, MUs Helen II, b'ehoeupy, Ml 'J1I
Dllslng, Mlu Anna hurgant, Kilns '
Decker, Mi?. Oil M. Kwegan, Mrs.,.
Del let, Mrs. Kdvvard-Suthsu, Mlu I.Uzl.
package, himoiui, Aftrcd '
Ka.t, M1m Ida llllter.Schnuckaj Mrs; Brl!
Ilaat Lemon tied. ,Sinpon, ,lpwph L.
ftiitlaud, Kcn.rd 1). Salving, Mra. J, (2)
BnglUli, Susie Smith, David ,
Ferguaon, Mra. Ellen Kuimuenillc, Thomas
Franklin, Mis MarjeileHeaiii, II, B.
tiough, Mia. K. T. Thornton, Mik, Lenor
Cilnty, Jack Thonipacu. Mr. K. K.
Uallney, Mis. T. Torbert, Stephen l,
Cucn, C. M. TuleavlU, Maso
Cold.mlth, W, 8. Vauey, Mra. Jennie
Kaiea, ('. C Votf, Friedman
Hathaway, MIm Grace b. Williams, Mrs, T.
Hill, llis Lucy Milliard, Mi. Agnes
lluttile, Mr. Kninu Whaitou, Timothy II,
llarilngton, F, M. Kyebur. N'lcholaa
Homes" David Mworth, I'lill
Jonea. Fled 1. Breaktcne, liter
Jordan, John 1'. Davi, James I'.
Jouca, Mlsa Madte Rarrlt. Vu
Kiob. JIU Elizabeth nillald, Ml Mary
lillgii'C Mra. .1. C. Lambert. 'Mis Hmnrh
Lloyd, Thomas Iloche, D. J.
LUk. N. J, UobiuM, Vt'oiciech. K,
Llo.vd, Mil. Alke O. C,
265361
" I