The Wiss chain of ownership was broken temporarily in 1898 when its manufacturing segment was purchased by the National Shears Company, better known as the Shear Trust. Organized in New Jersey but with main offices in Manhattan, Shear Trust quickly purchased five plants, among them J. Wiss & Sons. The leading man in the drama was J.H. Clauss, head of one of the purchased companies, who was voted president of the new trust. Three of the companies were closed, but by operating Wiss and Clauss Shear Company, the trust controlled from 65 to 70 percent of the shears and scissors output in America. Success seemed assured, but in less than two years the organization was declared bankrupt. Production continued for a short time under receivership, then in May, 1900, the Wiss family bought back its factory. A few days later the business was incorporated as J. Wiss & Sons Company, and business continued with Frederick Wiss again the president-treasurer and Louis Wiss elected secretary.