The Sewing-machine Monopoly
A numbor of lobbyists representing m immense sewing-machine combinaron interest hnve mudo their appearance in Washington. ïheir object is to procure by some means not now ajíparent a rcnewal or extensión of the patent apon the feed motion. The patent has already been extended and will expire on the 8th of May. It was the original intcntion of the great sewing-machine pool to go to Congress and purchn.se an act enabling the patent oJIice to again extend their monopoly, but th(! excitement of the electoral count prevented them from putting this plan hito operation. The enormous benefits to accrue to the public in the event the sewing-machiiie pool fail to get an extensión will be seen when it is considered that the maniifacturing cost of an ordiiiary $65 sewing machine is about $6.25, while an $85 machine from the Bridgeport shops costs in the frame ready for shipment something under $10. Aa thing are now, a $65 machine is put to tho local agent at $25, and the agent gets $i() for his time and labor in solling and instructing. An $85 machine costs the agent $35, so on up to tho fancy full cabinet pearl-inlaid article whieh costs the customer from $150 to .$200. The same rate applies in aboiít tlie sume proportion to all machines in the combination. The breaking down of the monopoly which sustains these ruinous figures will enable any machine shop in the country with proper appliances to turn out Bëwingmacliiiies with the lock stitcli and wheel or ratchet feed. Competition will thus bring down tlie price of maohines to a legitímate figure, about one-half tlie present ratos. - Washington Oor. ('liicaro Time. Bihji.vkck is 62 years old ; so is Lor J Granville. l'rince Gortachakoff is 79. Lord Beaoonsfield is 72, and Mr. GladBton'o 68. President MacMahon is nearly 'if. The l'ope will soon be 85; t,l' Archbishop of ('aiiterbury is 66; Dr. l'usey 77, and Dean Stanley 01. Gari bfilüi va nearly 70, L1'!' TïnHHeli 76, imd ! .Tulen Slsaon 88.
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Michigan Argus
Old News