1923] Chemical Industries in North Carolina in 1922 79 



in 1900 there were four such plants ; in 1910, twenty-two ; in 1918, 

 forty; and in 1922, fifty-six. 



The largest single corporation controlling a large number of plants 

 is the Southern Cotton Oil Company with fifteen plants scattered 

 throughout the Tidewater and Piedmont regions. The only company 

 making the refined cooking products is the Swift Company located 

 at Charlotte. 



Leather and Tanning. The third chemical industry in rank is the 

 leather and tanning industry. A capital investment of $8,300,000 

 yields $10,650,000 worth of tanned leather and tanning extracts. In 

 1922, twelve plants were tanning hides and producing extracts in ad- 

 dition to tanning, while four plants made tanning extracts solely. 

 Four of the above plants have a capital investment or annual pro- 

 duction value in excess of $1,000,000. The first company was incor- 

 porated in 1891 at Morganton, and in 1900 there were only four such 

 plants in existence. The development since 1910 has not been in 

 number of plants, but in the expansion of plants built in that time. 

 An eight-fold expansion has been made along this line. The tanning 

 industry is centered near the National Forest Reserves, especially 

 near the Pisgah Forest Reserve in Transylvania County. 



Paper ami Pulp. Only one plant, located at Roanoke Rapids, 

 manufactures finished paper. The capital investment of this plant is 

 $850,000 with a plant valued at $200,000 producing $650,000 worth 

 of finished paper with but 200 employees. The wood pulp plant incor- 

 porated in 1906 is situated near Canton, in Haywood County. It is 

 capitalized at $6,000,000 and possesses an additional investment of 

 $4,000,000 in plant and equipment. Over 1,200 people are employed 

 at a yearly payroll of $1,250,000 with the consumption of 18,000 

 horsepoAver of electricity and steam in the production of $6,000,000 

 in finished products. Beside the manufacture of wood pulp, jute 

 board and tannic acid, this plant is at present working on a large 

 contract for the United States Government in the productioii of post- 

 cards for the Postal Department. 



Manufactured Ice. In thirty years the status of the ice industry 

 has changed from that of a novelty to that of a standard commodity. 

 BetAveen the years 1888 and 1900 seven ice plants started operation. 

 In 1900 there were nine plants, in 1918 forty-one, while in 1922 there 



