The Tweed Trade

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The Tweed Trade is a letter written by Arthur Conan Doyle published in The Southern Reporter, 4 february 1904.


Britain and the Chicago Exhibition

The Southern Reporter (4 february 1904)

North British Station Hotel, Edinburgh.

Sir, — In reference to your editorial remarks about the decline of the tweed trade, you seem to imply that my figures are unreliable. I repeat what I said in my speech that I have no knowledge of the politics of the gentlemen who sent me those returns, but their names must necessarily remain confidential, as no firm wishes to advertise the fact that its trade is declining. Should any more fortunate firms be kind enough to let me have those more pleasing returns, which you say exist, I shall be happy to give them the same publicity. I observe, however, that the more complete figures collected by the industry of Mr Ainslie, and quoted in a debate the other night, corroborate and extend my own. I understand that the fast loom had been largely adopted before 1890, and that 8 per cent. would be a fair estimate of the amount of the displacement of labour since that date through mechanical improvements. — I am &c.,

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.
(This letter is referred to elsewhere.)