re;,: — Gil C THE CORDAGE INDUSTRY. Tiie infancy of this industry was marked by great feebleness, but perhaps not more so than the average of American manufactures. Rope-making formed one of the principal branches of industry from the early days of the colonies, and a ropevvalk appears to have been first set up in 1642, in Boston, Mass., twelve years after the town was founded. In this connection it is interesting to note that in 1638 Boston was "rather a village than a town, consisting of no more than twenty or thirty houses.” Prior to that time nearly every kind of rigging and tackle for vessels was brought from England. With the building of the first ship in Boston, the Trial , of 160 tons, and probably on account of its construction, John Harrison, a rope-maker, was invited to Boston from Salisbury, "on mocon of some gentlemen of this town,” and he set up his ropewalk or "rope-field,” ten feet ten inches wide, on the land adjoining his house on Purchase Street, at the foot of Summer Street. The work was done in the open field. Posts were set in the ground firmly enough to suspend cords and rope of no inconsiderable circumference. Harrison was granted a monopoly of the business until 1663, when permission was granted to John Heyman to "set up his posts,” but with "libertie onely to make fishing lines”; but even this license was found so to interfere with Harrison — who was now advanced in years and had a family of eleven persons — that it caused him to fear that he could not support them, and Ileyman’s permit was accordingly withdrawn. An addi¬ tional argument employed to bring about this revocation was the scarcity of hemp ! After Harrison’s death ropewalks multiplied in number, and at the West and North Ends of the town for sixty years there were fourteen ropewalks. In 1793 the industry was thriving, no doubt greatly fostered by a bounty granted by the General Court. July 30, 1794, in a great fire, seven ropewalks were destroyed; and the selectmen provided that no more should be constructed in the heart of the town, and tendered the use of the low land west of the Common, where six others were at once constructed, 20 to 24 feet wide and 900 feet in length. These were also destroyed by fire in 1806. Five were rebuilt, and were all once more burned in 1819. The elder Quincy, in the first year of his mayoralty, with his usual energy and sagacity, promptly removed all of these, with marked improvement to the neighborhood, and the land was purchased for $55,000 on February 25, 1824. So much for the earlv beginnings of this industry. It is with a smile that we read that "in the federal procession of 1788 the men employed in this industry outnumbered any other class of mechanics in Boston,” and that in 1794 over fifty men were employed in this branch alone.” The work in the old ropewalks, although done mostly ;V/~" T 7V ior.^Q 3 by hand, was in some cases supplemented by horse or water power. The workmen resented the employment of any hands who had not served a regular apprenticeship at the trade, and there was bitter opposition to the introduction of machinery. Besides the ropewalks previously mentioned, Nantucket had, in the height of her prosperity, three, none of which now exist. Newburyport had a good-sized ropewalk for those days. There was one at Castine, Me. One was on Broadway, New York, before the Revolution, and others were found in other parts of the country. Early in the century Samuel Pearson owned and operated one in Portland, Me. His two sons, Samuel and George C. Pearson, having learned the trade with their father, were after¬ ward interested in steam plants at and near Boston. Still later they started the Suffolk Cordage Company, which grew into the Pearson Cordage Company, now one of the largest mills in the country. Shortly after the death of his father (Samuel), Mr. Charles H. Pearson, who had been identified with him and the other son, became connected with the Boston Cordage Company, and still later with the Standard Cordage Company. Mr. Samuel Pearson made many inventions in rope-machines and in regulators for spinning. Mr. A. L. Tubbs, of California, bought most of the machinery in one of the old Boston mills and shipped it to California. He started the business on the Pacific coast, and at the present day controls the two or three factories now located there. Up to about 1850 it was the custom to import spun yarns to be made into cordage. These yarns were chiefly spun by Russian serfs, and could be furnished for less money than similar ones made here ; but the introduction of improved machinery gradually cut off these importations, and hardly any spun yarns were bought after 1865. The period between 1830 and 1850 witnessed the starting of what may be termed the modern factory, in distinction from the crude and primitive mode of manufacture before existing. The difference between the two methods was this : in the old-fash¬ ioned ropewalk the twisting of fibers was done by a man walking backward down the walk, spinning from the hemp round his waist, the twist being imparted from a wheel turned by a boy. The possible length of the rope could thus be no greater than the length of the building or ground. Longfellow’s description, in his poem on "The Ropewalk,” is too fine to be omitted, even in a commercial article: “In that building, long and low, With its windows all a-row, Like the port-holes of a hulk, Human spiders spin and spin, Backward down their threads so thin Dropping, each a hempen bulk. “ At the end, an open door; Squares of sunshine on the floor Light the long and dusky lane; And the whirring of a wheel, Dull and drowsy, makes me feel All its spokes are in my brain.” In the modern factory the twist is imparted by rapidly rotating machinery similar to that ? 29205 4 used in cotton and woollen mills, making it possible to spin on an upright apparatus occu¬ pying but a few square feet, a rope of several thousand feet in length. For some purposes, however, the ropewalk rope, as it is called, is still held to be superior to that manufactured by the other process. When rope was made without use of the ropewalk, it was the custom to call it "patent cordage, ” to distinguish it from the old style of rope¬ walk rope, and the name is still used by some firms. The inventions and patents of most consequence and in most general use are those of John Good, of New York City, whose spreaders and breakers did away with the use of lappers, and whose nipper and regulator on spinning-machines have given universal satisfaction, although with the perfecting of "preparation machinery” the use of a regu¬ lator has in many instances been discontinued. The era of the largest mills commenced in 1878, after the invention of the self-bind¬ ing harvester. Among the factories started during the period alluded to were Sewall, Day & Company of Boston (1835) ; Pearson Cordage Company of Boston ; J. Nickerson & Company of Boston ; Weaver, Fitler & Company of Philadelphia (afterward and at the present day Edwin H. Fitler & Company) ; Plymouth Cordage Company of Plymouth, Mass.; Ilingham Cordage Company of Hingham, Mass.; New Bedford Cordage Company of New Bedford, Mass. (1842) ; Baumgardner, Woodward & Com¬ pany of Philadelphia; J. T. Donnell & Company of Bath, Me.; William Wall & Sons of New York City ; Lawrence Waterbury & Company of New York ; Tucker, Carter & Company of New York; Elizabethport Steam Cordage Company of New York; Thomas Jackson & Son of Easton, Pa. ; J. Rinek’s Sons of Easton, Pa. ; and John Bonte’s Sons of Cincinnati. The market for cordage in those days being largely for export and the use of ships, it will be noticed that the manufacture was mainly confined to Atlantic seaports. In later times, with the decline of American shipping, the substitution of wire for hemp standing rigging, and especially after the great demand for binder twine, all this was changed, and factories rapidly multiplied at the West, Peoria, Miamisburg, Akron, and Xenia taking an important part in the business. As late as the year 1843 the total quantity of Manila hemp manufactured in the United States was only 27,820 bales or 7,511,400 pounds. This amount of hemp could, in 1895, easily be brought from Manila in three sailing-ships or in two steamers — the latter capable of making the voyage in fifty or sixty days by the way of the Suez Canal, to New York, Boston, or Philadelphia. Moreover, one of half a dozen of the larger mills in the country could, in 1895, manufacture the whole quantity of Manila hemp used in the year 1843, in the space of fifty days, bv running night and day. In 1863 the business had increased to five times its size in 1843. \\ ith the War of the Rebellion came a great demand for cordage; and as hemps rapidly advanced in price, in common with all other staples, it was an era of great prosperity to the cordage industry. Orders were so numerous that it was deemed a favor to a customer to supply him ; and it is within the knowledge of the writer that the profits of one Eastern factory during that epoch amounted in one year to $250,000, nor was their experience at all exceptional. 5 It was in i860 that the first importations of Sisal hemp were made. Commencing with the manufacture of about 200 tons in that year, its use rapidly extended, becoming in a few years an important factor in the trade. In ten years it amounted to 3500 tons, in twenty years to 13,000 tons, in thirty years to 34,000 tons, and in thirty-five years to 50,000 tons. With the extension of the business and the increase of factories, both in number and in importance, there was found to be a necessity for some regulation of the prices of cordage. The first agreement between the cordage manufacturers was entered into February 23, 1861, the object being to correct certain abuses which had prevailed among firms engaged in the trade. Weekly meetings were held by the manufacturers in their respective cities, and opportunity afforded for any complaints or any suggestion about the condition of trade and the regulation of prices. The object, as stated by one of the Eastern manufacturers, was "to look each other in the face and maintain prices. ” Various amendments were from time to time made in this agreement of 1861, but in July, 1874, a careful revision was made and the manufacturers pledged themselves, "as men of honor and integrity, ” to the true and faithful observance of the rules. A stronger agreement was made in April, 1875 ; but complaints of underselling, answered with various excuses, were frequent, and, there being no pecuniary penalty, the ingenuity of the manufacturers finally hit upon what was known as the " pool system.” This went into operation January 1, 1878. The business was divided among the manufacturers in proportions which seemed just, and when the business of one concern exceeded during any month the proportion which its share bore to the total business done, according to the returns, it would pay in so much per pound on the excess. In case a concern fell short it would be a recipient to that extent. It was supposed that this arrangement would act as a preventive to the cutting of prices, and it undoubtedly had that effect to some extent. The novelty of the plan was also in its favor, and on the whole it worked well enough amply to repay the great amount of labor expended in securing its adoption. The percentages ranged from eleven and one-fourth to one per cent. In 1880 the amount of the pool was reduced from two cents to one cent per pound, and in June of that year to one-fourth cent; but in January, 1881, the pool was abol¬ ished. In April, 1882, however, it was deemed best to re-establish it, and on the 28th of June the proportions were again agreed upon for three years. At the expiration of that time the new concerns which had grown up were taken into the association, and after much labor, lasting from February to July, 1885, a new pool was formed, and the proportions as fixed by the committee were accepted. No one who was present will ever forget the magnificent banquet given at Long Branch, on the 29th of July, 1885, to the members of the association, by the Hon. Edwin H. Fitler, of Philadelphia, who, as president for many years, had been untiring in his efforts to unite the members and preserve harmony. Equal honor should be awarded to Mr. Frederick Davis of Sewall, Day & Company of Boston, and to Mr. D. B. Whit¬ lock of New York, for many years secretary of the association, who died in 1888. In April, 1887, before the expiration of the time agreed upon at the formation of 6 the last pool, it was broken up; and the next event of great interest was the formation and incorporation of the National Cordage Company. This was composed of the four leading concerns in New York City; and although their circular, dated August i, 1887, announced that their "large facilities and long-established reputation were a guaranty that they could fulfil all that they promised to do,” yet the successful accomplishment of their aims would have demonstrated that the age of miracles was not wholly past. The projectors were, no doubt, sanguine enough really to believe that it was possible to con¬ trol the product and prices of Manila and Sisal hemp, but the attempt was a failure. An effort was made to subsidize the houses and brokers engaged in the trade, but they did not remain subsidized, and the scheme would not woi^. In some remarks made by the writer, May 27, 1886, in the Old South Church, Boston, at a meeting called to discuss the Morrison tariff bill, he said; "The day of monopolies in this country is past, and there is no danger but that the competition among ourselves, with the wonderful and ever-increasing labor-saving appliances and economical devices of the present day, will keep down prices, in our own products at least, to a reasonable point.” Thus it was with the attempt alluded to. The time had gone by for anv such arrangement to be more than temporary, and measures to undermine the project were taken by those who did not propose to give up their individual judgment in purchasing raw material; and it is not strange that, with the immutable laws of trade working in their favor, these measures were at once and continually successful. The National Cordage Company was in the position of a whale attacked by swordfish. The whale was only one organization, and was cumbersome and unwieldy ; the swordfish were numerous and extremely lively in their movements, and the result of the conflict was what might reasonably have been expected. The whale was exhausted by his attempts to maintain his ground, and what was bad rapidly became worse. In January, 1890, the National Cordage Company made an attempt to have all the manufacturers outside of their organization join them. But no one who joined the National knew the terms made with his neighbor, and it was not long before distrust and suspicion ruined the whole project. On the 4th of' May, 1893, the National passed into the hands of receivers, although they had paid eight per cent, dividends from 1891 on their preferred, and from nine to ten and one-half per cent, on their common stock, dividends having been declared on both, three days before their failure. It is too early to write the history of the United States Cordage Company, which organization succeeded the National Cordage Company. Circumstances scarcely con¬ trollable by any one resulted in disaster, and, in fact, its career was never much more than a continued liquidation. A fall in the prices of raw material, unexpected and unprecedented, together with other misfortunes, culminated in the appointment of receivers, June 3, 1895. For the future the prospect is brighter, and with lower fixed charges, strict economy, judicious purchases of the raw material as needed, a substantial cash capital, and especially with the stock of binder twine in the country practically used up, for the first time in live years, we may hope that the interest on the bonds may be easily earned and the industry again give fair results. / TUMBLE OF QUANTITIES OF MANILA, SIS^VE HEMP, &c. Manufactured in tlie United States, 1843 —1897. Y ears » Manila. Sisal. Total. Bales. Pounds. Bales. Bounds. Bounds. 1843. 27,820. 270 lbs. 7,511,400. - 7,511,400 1844. 48,830. 13,184,100. 13,184,100. 1845. 47,438. 12,808,260. 12,808,260. 1846. 46,343. 12,512,610. 12,512,610 1847. 39,111. 10,559,970. 10,559,970. 1848. 62,120. 16,772.400. 16,772,400. 1849. 48,726. 13,156,020. 13,156,020. 1850. 72,769. 19,647,630. 19,647,630. 1851. 60,888. 16,439,760. 16,439,760 1852. 87,166. 23,534,820. 23,534,820. 1853. 106,376. 28,721,520. 28.721,520. 1854. 90,174. 24,346,980. 24,346,980. 1855 100,760. 27,205,200. 27,205,200. 1856 114,203. 30,834,810. . 30,834,810. 1857. 119,156. 32,172,120. . . 32,172,120. 1858. 110,682. 29,884,140. 29,884,140- 1859. 129,321. 34,916,67 0. 34,916,670. 1860. 143,618. 38,776,860. 1,393. 320 lbs. 445,760. 39,222,620. 1861. 105,322. 28,436,940. 627. 200,640 28,637,580. 1862. 120,878. 32.637.060 1,356. 433,920 33,070,980. 1863. 132,358. 35,736,660. 1,995. 325 lbs. 648,375. 36,385,035. 1864. 135,304. 36.532,080. 2,774. 330 lbs. 915,420. 37,447.500. 1865. 128,508. 34.697,160. 2,797. 335 lbs. 936,995. 35,634.155. 1866. 140,330. 37,889.100. 5,120. 334 lbs. 1,710,080. 39,599,180. 1867. 134,253. 36,248,310. 6,871. 340 lbs. 2,336,140. 38,584,450. 1868. 141,962. 38,329,740. 9,406. 340 lbs. 3,198,040. 41,527,780 1869. 136,483. 36,850,410. 16,646. 350 lbs. 5,826,100. 42,676,510. 1870. 133,338. 36,001,260. 19,893. 6,962,550. 42,963.810. 1871. 157,342. 42,482,340. 16,733. 352 lbs. 5,890.016. 48,372,356. 1872. 155,173. 41,896,710. 22,479. 359 lbs. 8,069,961. 49,966,671. 1873. 150,629. 40,669,830. 22,402. 360 lbs. 8,064,720. 48,734,550. 1874. 137,608. 37,154,160. 30,527. 350 lbs. 10,684,450. 47,838,610. 1875. 125,904. 33,994,080. 31,313. 402 lbs. 12,587,826. 46,581,906. 1876. 132,231. 35,702,370. 41,864. 389 lbs. 16,285,096. 51,987,466. 1877. 146,715. 39,613,050. 51,538. 404 lbs. 20,821,352. 60,434,402. 3 , 769 , 839 . 1 , 017 , 856 , 530 . 285 , 734 . 106 , 017 , 441 . 1 , 123 , 873 , 971 . Kir* The preceding figures were compiled from various sources and are believed to be substantially correct. Those given below are the aggregate of the sworn returns of Rope delivered by the members of the U. S. Cordage Manufacturers’ Association. 1878. Home Trade. 26,483,833. Export. 4,213,964. 1879. Home Trade. 33,839,404. Export. 4,360,127. 1880. Home Trade. 40,7.29,619. Export. 3,840,748. 30,697,797. 38,199,531. 44,570,367. 14,085,037. 1,878,825. - 15,963,862. 46,66J,659. 19,672,800. 1,936,093. - 21,608,893. 59,808,424. 23,945,019. 1,965.075. - 25,910,094. 70,480,461. 0^” The following figures are believed to be accurate estimates. Canada is not included, unless stated. Y ears. Manila. Sisal. Total. Bales. Pounds. Bales. Pounds. Pounds. 1881. 216,706. 58,510,620 100,777 . 38,803,060. 97,313,680. 1882. 193,873. 52,345,710. 102,067. 40,826.800. 93,172,510. 1883. 184.489. 49,812,030. 115,239. 46.095,600 95,907,630. 1884 202.208. 54,596,160. 161,800. 64.720,000. 119,316,160. 1885. 190.960. 51,550,200. 178,650 69 673,500. 121.232,700. 1886. 177,221 47,849,670. 204.008. 78,013,230. 125,862,900. 1887. 260,000. 70,200,000. 205,000. 76,875,000. 147,075,000. 1888. 340,000. 91,800,000 190,000. 71,250,000. 163,050,000. 1889. 320,000. 86,400,000. 220,000. 83,600,000. 170,000,000. 1890. 260,000. 70,200,000. 190,000. New Zealand 20,000,000. 68,400,000. 1 158,600,000. 1891. 330,000 89,100,000. 240,000. New Zealand. 20,000,000. 86,400,000 } 195,500,000. 1892. 332,000. [ Canada included. ] 89,640,000. 342,000. New Zealand 20,400,000. 123,120,000. !■ ) 233,160,000. 1893. 350,388. [ Canada included. ] 94,604,760. 310,369. New Zealand. 22,000,000 114,836,530 i 231,441,290. 1894. 334,377. [ Canada included. ] 90,281,790. 308,193. New Zealand. 10,000,000. 110,949,480. 211,231,270. 1895. 404,900. [ Canada included. ] 109,323,000. 400,028. New Zealand. 2,000,000. 144,010,080 } 255,333,080. 1896. 404,006. [ Canada included. ] 109,081,620. New Zealand. 359,110. 2,000,000. 129,279,600. } 240,361,220. 1897. 359,000. £ Canada included. ] . 96,930,000. 474,591. 170,852,760. } 267,782,760. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/cordageindustryOOunse 7 There are about 10,000 spindles in this industry at the present time, two-thirds of which are ample to supply the wants of the country. The annual product amounts to $ 12 , 000 , 000 . The figures given below were collected with much care, and will give an approximate idea of the growth of this industry. Other fibers such as Russian and Italian hemps and jute, have at times been used to a considerable extent, but the writer believes that the figures he has collected practically give what is needed for statistical purposes. TABLE OF QUANTITIES OF MANILA, SISAL HEMP, ETC., MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES, 1843-94. Year. Manila. Sisal. Total Pounds. Bales of 270 Lbs. Pounds. Bales. Size of Bales in Pounds. Pounds. 1843 . 27,820 7,5 1 I , 4 °° 7,5 1 I, 4 °° 1844 . 48,830 i 3 , i8 4 , i °o 13,184,100 1845 . 47 > 43 8 12,808,260 12,808,260 1846. 46,343 12,512,610 12,512,610 1847 . 39 , 1 11 io, 559 , 97 o IO , 559,970 1848. 62,120 16,772,400 16,772,400 1849 . 48,726 13,156,020 13,156,020 1850. 72,769 19,647,630 19 , 647,630 1851. 60,888 16,439,760 16,439,760 1852. 87,166 23 , 534,820 23 , 534,820 i8 53 . 106,376 28,721,520 28,72 1,520 1854 . 9°) 1 74 24,346,980 24,346,980 i8 S 5 . 100,760 27,205,200 27,205,200 1856. 114,203 30,834,810 3 0 , 834 , 8 l 0 ^57 . H 9 U 5 6 32,172,120 32,172,120 1858. 110,682 29,884,140 29,884,140 i8 59 . 129,321 34 , 9 i6 , 67 o 34 , 9 i6 , 67 o i860. 143,618 38,776,860 L 393 320 445,760 39,222,620 1861. 105,322 28,436,940 627 200,640 28,637,580 1862. 120,878 32,637,060 L 356 433,920 33,070,980 1863. 132,358 35 , 736 , 66 o 1 ,995 325 648,375 36,385,035 1864. I 35 , 3°4 36,532,080 2,774 33 ° 9 I 5 , 42 o 37 , 447 , 5 °° 1865. 128,508 34,697,160 2,797 335 936,995 35 , 634,155 1866. 140 , 33 ° 37,889,100 5,120 334 1,710,080 39 , 599 , l8 ° 1867. 134,253 36,248,310 6,871 34 ° 2,336,140 38,584,45° 1868. 141,962 38,329,740 9,406 340 3,198,040 41,527,780 1869. 136.483 36,850,410 16,646 35 ° 5,826,100 42,676,510 1870. 03,338 36,001,260 i 9' 8 93 6,962,550 42,963,810 1871 . I 57 . 34 2 42,482,340 16,733 352 5,890,016 48,372,356 1872. 1 5 5, 1 73 41,896,7 10 22,479 359 8,069,961 49,966,671 1873. 150,629 40,669,830 22,402 360 8,064.720 48 , 734,550 1874. 137,608 37 , i 54 ,i 6 o 30,527 35 ° 10,684,450 47,838,610 i8 7 S. 125,904 33 , 994 ,o 8 o 3 I > 3 I 3 402 12,587,826 46,581,906 1876. 132,231 35 , 702,370 41,864 389 16,285,096 5 1 ,987,466 i8 77 . 146,715 39,613,050 5 1 ,538 404 20,821,352 60,434,402 3,769,839 1,017,856,530 285,734 106,017,441 i , i2 3 , 873,97 i The figures given below are the aggregate of the sworn returns of rope delivered by the members of the United States Cordage Manufacturers’ Association. MANUFACTURED IN 1878, 1879, AND 1880, IN FOUNDS. Year. Manila. Total. SlSA L. Total. Grand Total. CO 1"^ CO Home Trade. 26,483,833 14 , 085,037 Export. 4,213,964 i , 8 7 8 , 82 5 30,697,797 15.963,862 46,661,659 1879.... Home Trade. 33 i 8 39 > 4°4 19,672,800 Export. 4,360,127 1-936,093 3 8 > i 99 , 53 i 21.608,893 59,808,424 1880 .... Home Trade. 40,729,619 23 , 945 -oi 9 Export. 3 , 8 4 °' 74 8 1,965,075 44 , 570-367 25,9 !°,°94 70 , 4 8 0 , 46 l MANUFACTURED SINCE 1880 IN POUNDS. Manila. Sisal. Year. Bales. Pounds. Bales. Pounds. Grand Total. 1881. 216,706 58,510,620 100,777 38,803,060 97,3'3,68o 1882. 193,873 52,345-710 I02,067 40,826,800 93,172,510 1883. 184,489 49,812,030 115,239 46,095,600 95 , 9 0 7,630 1884. 202,208 54,596,160 161,800 64,720,000 119,3 *6,160 I 88 5 .. 190,960 51,550,200 178,650 69 , 673,500 121,232,700 1886. 177,221 47 , 849,670 204,008 78,013,230 I 25,862,900 1887. 260,000 70,200,000 205,000 76,875,000 147 - 075,000 1888. 340,000 91,800,000 190,000 71,250,000 163,050,000 1889. 320,000 86,400,000 220,000 83,600,000 I 70,000,000 1890. 260,000 70,200,000 190,000 68,400,000 158,600,000 1891. 330,000 89,100,000 240,000 86,400,000 i 95 - 5 °°-°°o 1892. 332,000 89,640,000 342,000 123,120,000 233.160,000 1893 . 350,388 94,604,760 31 0 ,369 1 14 , 836.530 231-441,290 1894. 334,377 90,281,790 3 0 8 ,I 93 I 10,949,480 211,231,270 Canada is included in the years 1892, 1893, and 1894, but not before, on manila. In 1890 and 1891 New Zealand added 20,000,000 pounds to the consumption lor each year: 1892, 20,400,000 pounds; 1893, 22,000,000 pounds; and 1894, 10,000,000 pounds.