The New York herald., 1873-11-06
TIE AMERICAN NOTTINGHAM.
The Cohoes Mills Nearly All Closed-The
Water shut On-lO,OOO Hands Idle
Hopes OF tho Future.

Il
Hopes OF the Future.
CoHoEs, N. Y. Nov. 4, 1878.
| II the name Of o place should bear some refer
ence to It's prominent features this city might be
appropriately called "the place OF mills" in the
Indian vernacular, II, indeed. the language OF tho
American aborigines possessed word so sug-
gestive OF industry. The resident population OF
Cohoes numbers some 3,0o0 and the oity planted
on gently rising ground between q small bun and
the Mohawk River, near the junction OF the latter
with the Hudson. The origin OF its being selected
as site for q manufacturing centre is, that the
Mohawk here falls over q ledge OF rock some 10
ieet high and 500 yards In extent across the fall.
About q half mile above the falls dam has been
thrown across the river, which diverts three
fourths OF the volume OF water into q mill race,
from which power is distributed TO the various
mills along its course.
THE HARMONY MILLS.
Textile manufactures from the products OF
twenty or more mills. or these five are worked
by the Harmony Company, which is the only COM
pany here confning their operations to the spin
ming and weaving OF cotton. No. 8 Harmony Mill
is supposed to be the largest In the world. Its
frontage is 1900 feet long, Is six stories high
tains $500 looms and 10000 spindles. The water
power is obtained from the mill race and is de-
veloped in six turbines OF enormous Dimensions
situated on the ground door.
The Harmony Company, in this and their other
NILS gave constant employment to $500 persons,
three-fourths Of whom were women and children,
until October rs. On that day, about three p. NJ, an
intimation was made by putting notice on the
doors OF the various rooms that
''THESE MILLS WILL BE CLOSED FOR ONE WEEK"
This notice was OF too ominous import to those
for whose Information 1t was affixed. The works
have been stopped since then, and 1t is impossible
to conjecture safely when they will be re-
opened to the operatives. In strict
accord with the readings OF the
monetary barometer do the chances on this sub
ject rise or fall Welcome to many household in
this industrious community would be the news
that some one with the keen perception of "Old
Probabilities" had predicted decreasing pressure
on the New York money market, with rising de-
mand for musins and knitted goods, not omtting.
TOT benefit of the mill owners, to state how those
products were to be paid for. Sixteen mills make
up knitted goods, composed Of wool, wool with
cotton and cotton solely. These knitting mills
have experienced the result OF the scarcity OF
money for the last five or six weeks, SO much SO
tnat the sales in September were thIrty-three per
cent and in October fifty per cent below the corre-
spending periods In 1872. A step was prudently
taken about the middle OF September which
lessened the production by one-fourth.
The storm increasing and sales falling. another
reef had to be hauled down. which took on another
fourth, and under this short canvas-in time and
its earnings only-it is confidently believed and
hoped that the gale may be weathered. This refers
to the knitting mills only, for the "Harmony Com
pany" may be likened to large ship shove tov-
ready to pile on the muslin whenever favorable
chance offers. In addition 20 the textile mills''
there are pin factory. an axe factory gas pipe
factory, machine shop, an iron rolling mill, bed
ana a nfee or oar 6oo
say that between reduced wages and short time
the earnings OF the workers in this group OF shops
used to- wnen the works all in iul swing.
NEARLY TEN THOUSAND HANDS IDLE.
the industrial element here-a very large proper
tion, indeed, OF the population. OF these about
fivesixths are this week .'playing,' or, some
cali 1t, .'enJoying enforced idleness.' The water
being shut OF from the (but two mills being
ent stoppage OF most OF the works IN the city
EARNINGS
he h monthly Fo earnings rd may oe saley taken TO
years made SIS 10 $50; boys and men, $50 to $55;
while section hands" in the cotton mills footed up
earned has been paid regularly once month, two
weeks' earnings always remaining back until the
workers are finally discharged.
The Harmony Company have not yet paid over
all the money so retained, which is taken as q
ground trivial though s II may M be- tnat they intend
can do so with even prospect OF saving them
selves from loss Is generally believed. Their mills,
true palaces OF industry are being carefully eX-
ahmed and repaired: new machinery Is being
added and everything put in readiness for an
immediate start. Though the thread remains
wound the .sbobbins' and the .fiesn are still,
while the "mulesn are resting from their mo-
notonous Journeys and the long alleys between the
thousands of looms are as silent the Coliseum,
the certainty exists that the time OF suspension
is but q limited one.
RESOURCES AND SAVINGS.
In all communities there are two divisions, recog-
nized by their possession OF money and known in
words as 1.-THE thrifty and the unthrtyn Cohoes
is no exception to this. Probably nity per cent OF
It's people may be ranged under ea-h OF these
heads All may be considered free from immediate
want and probably no suffering may be felt for
two or three weeks yet, even If no work is re-
sumed The sforekeepers, to whom about $780, 900
are due, have issued a card stating that they In
tend TO supply their customers heretofore, and
witnessed through the streets deliveries OF food OF
various kinds being made by butchers grocers
and bakers, whose wagons were sent around to
call on those who might require supplies.
Some OF the manufacturers have determined TO
stand by their hands with monetary aid II re.
quisite, and rely on being repaid in even a more
valuable medium than gratitude when times
mend. Nearly all the workpeople OF the Harmony
Company live in excellent houses belonging to the
firm, and have them at a very moderate rent.
Many or the workmen in that and other employ
ments live IN houses which they own and have
wholly or partially paid Tor AS the class OF goods
made in the knitting mills are certain TO be re.
CURED the cold Increases and there are no
stocks OF such on hand employment In that branch
Is looked upon as being very likely to be lively
soon.
NO FEARS OF THE FUTURE
Altogether little apprehension exists Just now
that much suffering Is likely 10 be encountered.
At present the Poor Master has but four or five on
his cooks, being the family Of man who died last
week from violence at the hands OF policeman.
BY those best informed 1t Is thought that the new
year Is likely TO bring in a much Increased demand
Tor labor.
None OF the workers have left or have even
thought OF dong so. All are hopeful. But OFT has
"hope told its nattering tae,n and why should 1t
alter Its habit?
THE IRON TRADE.