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This is an article about Jake's
great grandfather Manuel Snyder, and his brothers. The following
text appeared originally in the San Francisco News, on Thursday, July, 10,
1930:
SNYDER BROTHERS KNIT WAY TO EAST’S PURSE
More Than 200 Employees Keep Machines Humming Night and Day
MILLION DOLLAR TRADE
No Such Thing as Business Depression for Prosperous S.F. Firm.
A striking example of eastern "consumer-acceptance" of
feminine apparel modes and fabrics, created in a San Francisco factory
that works night and day to meet the growing demand, is told in this,
another article in this series which is demonstrating that "It cand
be done" in San Francisco--The Editor.
BY ADISON CLARK
If the average San Franciscan (including Douglas Watson’s new
historical character, Old Gen. Apathy) were asked if a lawyer, and actor
and a mechanical-minded youngster could set up in this city a knitted
apparel factory on a small scale, and in 18 years make it a nationally
known institution with a payroll of more that 200 men and women working
day and night to keep up with bigger and bigger eastern orders...The
answer would be: "It can’t be done!" But is has been done!
Herman L. Snyder was the barrister, a graduate of Hastings Law School.
Manual Snyder was the actor-likewise assistant stage manager at the old
Alcazar Theater. And "Sam" the "kid brother" of the
trio, was and still is an engineering and mechanical genius.
A MILLION-DOLLAR TRADE
Last year the corporation of which they are now president,
treasurer and secretary, Snyder Bros. Knitting Mills, did a business
approximating three quarters of a million dollars. This year they
estimate, stock market depression to the contrary notwithstanding, they
will make it an even million. Today Herman administers the financial and
sales phases of the business. Manual’s artistic training peculiarly fits
him for his administration of the creative designing and production
divisions. And Sam’s uncanny technical ability is a priceless asset in
keeping the intricate, costly knitting machines of the plant running like
watches 24 hours a day, and in keeping abreast of the newest improvements
on such machinery.
UNIQUE KNITTED FABRICS
Individualistic knitted sports apparel is the output of the
plant: Coats, dresses, ensembles and sweaters. The Snyder’s leave the
Knit swimsuit business to specialists in that field. While the concern’s
major trade is throughout the region west of the Mississippi, health
growth is registered in the big accounts it has accumulated east and south
to the Atlantic seaboard, and a growing trade in Hawaii. Great eastern and
middle western department stores and apparel shops not only welcome Snyder
representatives from San Francisco, but also order heavily of new Snyder
sports ensembles by telegraph, in surprising and increasing volume.
NO BUSINESS DEPRESSION HERE
It is quite apparently the originality knitted and sewn into the
Snyder plant’s products that has "put them across" throughout
the east, as well as up and down the west from Canada to Mexico. Herman
Snyder takes keen pride in the fact. "Our designers" he says are
"creators, not copyists. They lay out the designs, then cut these
‘player-piano’ paper roll stencils that direct the machines how to
convert them into fabric designs. And we naturally keep our fingers on the
style pulse constantly through our Paris Connections.
© 2000 Jake Ehrlich. All rights reserved.
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