Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-03-08


The arisans, mechanics, and laborers ofyour
city?
Answer. A heavy duty on the lowest priced
wo.''lens goods would operate oppressiyely
Upon the poorer classes Of persons referred 10 in
the city Of Pitrsburg, as woolens are indispen-
sable for clothing in that climate. The reasons
for my opinion are, that the person who has
worn fine coat. may pay the same price and
obtain n coarser one, but that he man who has
worn that Of the lowest price. must pay more to
procure a coat, or have none.
Question. Have there been. and are there
now, any woollen manufactures al or near
Pitishug?
|. Answer There arc none in the city Of Pitts.
burg ofany considerable extent. There is one
Of consequence at S,eubenvilc, at about forty
miles from Pit'sburg. There is also one Of con
siderable extent at Economy, about eighteen
miles from Pii:sburg.
Question. Has the price Of cotton and wool
len goods varied for six or seven years pasi9
Answer. Being entirety 1m If the line Of
either business, I"onHot unSper the question
We are governed in our prIc"s of these articles
By the eastern prices ana # these articles have,
during the time, varied ~ price al the east
they would, as u consequence, have varied with
us.
Question. Who would be most likely TO be
benefited to the greatest extent by an increase
OF duty on woollen goods,-th manufa cturcr,
the workmcn. 1.-THE community generally?
Answer IL it be accompanied with an in
crease of the duty on wool, think the far.aer
would be benefited. As to the duty on wool!en
goods alone, should think the manufacturer
would reap the most of the benefit, although
the business becoming better. il would benef;
the workmen also as, by the success of the
master, the workmcH would also do WE'LL"
Now. aforc Heaven, this was a most sensi-
BILE witness, and gave a mos. sensible answer
10 the committee. who, for all that appears,
had no other earthiy occasion for Mr.. Bake
well than lor hlm TO inform whether high
prl' on articles of nece>s, would operate
most hardly OF the poor or the rich, and TO
learn who would 'be most likely to he benefit
ted" by protective duties, the manufacturer,
the workmen, or the public all which they
might have learned as we'll from those eridiie
trna's"s On Political Economy, which, il is
presumed wilt hc the tex, books from which
they will cx',ac. many an eloqu,n speech be-
fore their favorI'e bill gets through tho House.
Question. Are you now, and have you lately
been engaged in the manufacture Of wool? If
yea, IN what branch for how long time, and
at what place?
Answer | am now, and have been so engag-
Tho las, six years have been engaged a,ogeth-
er in the making of broadrlo'hs.
Question. Is the establishment for the manu-
facture Of wool, in which you arc interested, an
incorporated Company? If yea, by what
name? If not incorporated, is IL u copartner-
ship, or an individual interest?
Answer II is now Incorporated company,
and has been or about seven years, under
the name Of the " Wolcott WooIen Manufac-
turing Company" II is now conducted by an
agent, who has a general snperinicndence over
the whole concern, and this agent receives
s 200 per annum We have an accountant
who receives 700 dollars per year.
Question. What is the whole amount If capi-
tai ac'ua " invested in The woollcn factory, of
which YOU sneak; what part Of that capital is
invested IN real estate, buildings, and ma
chinerv; and what part is active capital?
Answer. The Stock generally, will not sell
at more than $50 for 100 dollars paid. The
whole amount of'he capital, is I26 900 dollars,
all Of which is absorbed in The real estate, build
ings, and machinery; Of this there are about $50
acres, with wafer power on il. The ma
chincrv cost from 80 10 40 0D0 dollars; we have
no active capital, but we borrow money, on
which we pay interest.
Question. Has the factory you speak Of been
in continued operation since it was erected?
Answer. Tho factory has at no time entirely
suspended business.
Question. What kinds Of fabrics do you pro-
ducc; and what has bc3n the whole quantity Of
fabrics o! ;ne average, for the last three years.
Answer, We make broadclo'hs only, and the
number Of yards produced in 1926, was 80 ,905;
Of which, we sold 25,Iji yards, netting us
sS58,774 Is; the average per yard, , dolls 30
.. From the lst ofJanuarv, 10 July 3lst, 1927,
Il,
ne ted rs ,553 d,ls 9j; the cvcragc per yard
being two dollars and twelve cents Tic great
er part ofIhcse CLOTHS, were ind'g, blues. The
qualities of the fabrics, and proportion Of cost
" colors, we're about the same in the rcspcc-
tive sales.
Question. What quantity Of wool, washed on
tho shnep's back, is required to make one yard
Of the cloth made AZ yonr factory; ead what lis
its width when finished?
Answer. About two pounds SIX ounces,
washed OF the shcnps back; when vel washed
on The Sleeps back have found this nearly
correct The cloth sc ml>c II Fix and hal'
qntr cfs ''de.
@ Icv on What numhor % hands are en-
plos OIL ~ The same factory wha, are their de-
scriptIons---as men, women, BOYS, and grls?
Answer. The number OF persons employed at
ib, factorj, are III; Of these II are men, 3s
Young NOlncl nTONn. uUl - cutlu'O'. no
average wages Of the n,~n Is rs conts per day.
That ofihs young women. 40 cents. The chil-
drcn % cents per day. They all find them
selves in blard, Nc
Question Were not tho manufacturers Of
wool generally doing a better business previous
to 1924, than they have done since?
Answer. Our bu-Incss has been worse since
1874, except in 1926, az wonllon goods have
flon vory much IN price, say from % 10 SO l.;
per cent.