[Trade Journal]
Publication: Pottery & Glassware Reporter
Pittsburgh, PA, United States
vol. 15, no. 12, p. 12,13, col. 1,1
BUSINESS MEMORANDA.
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The San Francisco Grocer of June 25 has the following: "There has been a big revolution in the glass jar trade — which is now at its height — this year, and fruit jars are offered at lower prices than every before. This has been brought about by one of the largest crockery houses on the coast, in an attempt to break up what is considered a monopoly of the fruit jar trade, the importance of which is apparent to every one. Heretofore the glass fruit jar trade of the coast, it is stated, has been in the hands of the San Francisco & Pacific Glass Company who, owing to the heavy freight, and the loss in breakage, have had but little eastern competition. They have been making, and supplying the jobbers here with the Gem and Mason jars at prices that have evidently given satisfaction to both the jobber and retail merchant, until this year. It comes out that the manufacturers here, this year did not call upon the Hero Fruit Jar Company for the trimmings or necessary patents to get up their jars but bought them elsewhere, and the latter company, which is one of the strongest in the east, showed a desire to jump on the neck of the Californians. Negotiations were opened whereby the Hero company shipped by sea into this port 8,000 cases of Mason and Gem jars at such prices as to enable the handlers here to make a big drive on them. As a consequence, fruit jars this year are selling cheaper than ever, and San Francisco is the source of supply to sections of the country that heretofore ordered direct from the east by rail. Last year these jars were quoted to the trade at $13.50, $15 and $18.50 a case. This year same jars are selling at $9, $9.75 and $13.25 net cash. At these prices there is little anxiety on the part of the manufacturers or jobbers to sell large quantities, for things have taken such a turn as to cause it to be any thing but profitable."
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