Silkmakers

Last week many a Cheney journeyed to South Manchester, Conn., met many another Cheney. These multitudinous Cheneys were gathered for the wedding of Frances, daughter of Frank Cheney Jr. to Roger, son of Architect Charles A. Platt. After the wedding the Cheneys drove around the town, inspecting their bailiwick. On their tour of inspection, reflective, antiquarian Cheneys may have mused on the year 1833, when the first Cheney came into contact with the first silkworm cocoon at South Manchester. Since then the town has known many Cheneys, many cocoons. Genealogically-minded Cheneys may have pondered, as they drove about, on the ramifications of relationship between the various families descended from the original seven Cheney brothers: Ralph, Ward, Frank, Rush, Charles, John, Seth.

No matter what their turn of mind, all Cheneys saw a Cheney-built schoolhouse and a Cheney-built library. They saw a large wooded park, around which were dotted nine large Cheney residences and a half dozen smaller Cheney houses. They saw a large expanse of Cheney-owned silk mills and warehouses. They saw block on block of Cheney-built employes' houses. But they saw no Cheney-built churches, for the Cheneys, though exceedingly moral, are no pillars of the church.

Of silk was the bride's dress, and of silk were the speculations of many a Cheney.* Handsome, solemn, gray-haired Charles Cheney, President of Cheney Bros., thought with satisfaction of a letter he had received that week: "The committee recommends that the Craftsmanship Medal be awarded to the Cheney Brothers for the beauty of design and texture in their modern machine woven silks." At the top of the letter was a handsome design: a Doric capital and shaft supported by an American eagle with outspread wings. Beneath this was engraved, "The American Institute of Architects."

But most seriously to be considered by Cheneys were two problems: 1) overproduction; 2) tariff. Spokesman in both matters is Vice President Horace B. Cheney, who spoke twice last week.

Like the oilmen, the silkmen desire a limitation of production agreement. Last year a monthly average of 94.5% of all broad looms were in operation. Huge surpluses of finished silk are stacking up in warehouses. Buyers are holding back, waiting for a price break. Like the oilmen, the silkmen need Government acquiescence in an agreement. But the government, much though it might like to, is too tangled up with anti-trust legislation to help or acquiesce in either oil or silk plans (see National Affairs).

As to tariff, there would appear to be no limit to the willingness or power of the Government to give Cheneys and others the rates they need. But in this respect, silkmen cannot agree among themselves. Not alone did Vice President Horace Cheney represent the Silk Association of America before the House Ways & Means Committee at Washington. A. P. Stapfer was also there. Mr. Cheney suggested rates double those of 1909. But Mr. Stapfer suggested reduced rates on georgettes, crepe de chines, flat crepes. Reason: the Cheney group is exclusively manufacturing; the Stapfer group both manufactures and imports; and yet a third group is exclusively, importing.

If silk makers fear to risk anti-trust proceedings by agreements to restrict production, and cannot agree among themselves on tariff protection, the overproduction problem seems far from a solution. Hosiery manufacturers (who consume about 50% of silk used in the U. S.) have accumulated enough silk to last for some months, and are not greatly in the market at present prices.

*Remarkable for his non-silken turn of mind is Bushnell Cheney (son of Horace B.), who helped launch the Jitney Players in 1923 and who remains the power behind the scenes. Last week his troupe concluded a two weeks' stand at the Cherry Lane Playhouse in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.