Volltext Seite (XML)
104 INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1876. 1862-63 material improvements were made by the machinists of Paterson in the construction of the silk-spinning machinery required for the fabrication of fine trams and organzines, the yarns necessary for weaving broad silks; and a greater uniformity was attained in assorting the various sizes of yarns required for weaving, which was effected by the introduction of the processes known as deniering and draining. In the mean time, the command of the domestic market, assured by the tariff of 1861, encouraged manufacturers in Baltimore, and in Williamsburg, New York, to embark in the weaving of ribbons, scarfs, neckties, etc. The establishment at Williamsburg was transferred, in 1867, to Paterson; and, under the name of William Strange & Co., now employs eight hundred operatives, turning out an annual product of ribbons of the value of over a million of dollars. There are now eight ribbon-manufacturers in Paterson, and the production of this single city is over one hundred thousand pieces of ribbon per month. The permanent establishment of broad-silk weaving in Paterson dates from the period of 1866. It was first successfully effected there by the Phcenix Manufacturing Company, and was made successful through the production of the yarns before referred to. This estab lishment now employs nine hundred operatives, and is distinguished for its perfection in Jacquard weaving. At first, eighty per cent, of the broad silks made was used for ladies’ ties. In 1872 other firms entered into broad-silk weaving. The increase in the number of looms was followed by variety in production, until, as at present, there is scarcely a product of European looms in millinery, and even the highest class of dress-silks, which does not find its rival in the Paterson factories. The command of skilled labor, the admirable water-power, the vicinage to the metropolis, and, above all, the well-known advantages of centralizing the manufacturers in a special department of a textile industry, have led several important silk-manufacturers, first located in Boston, Williamsburg, Schoharie, New York, and New York City, to transfer their establishments to Paterson. A prominent advantage of centralizing manufacturing establish ments is the opportunity given for specializing certain departments of industry. This is shown at Paterson in the great success attained in an essential branch of the silk-manufacture,—that of dyeing. The concentration of silk-manufactures at this place has produced the largest and most perfectly appointed dyeing establishment in the country, in which a large part of the fabrics produced in Paterson are dyed on commission. The proprietors of this establishment, Messrs.