New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-15
THE STATE OF BUSINESS.
Survey OF THE FIELD.

and Middle states, ptihN a beiOW, present iaNor-
able view of the general condition of business The
prevailing depression, heretofore noticed, might be
expected to affect '.he varied industries Of New
England but the manufactures which have their
seat in Rhode Island show no signs of sus-
pension. Thee is some contraction and little
reduction Of working force. but no serious inter
mission of nrOduction. Jn and around Woonsocket'
where there s a dense cluster of wooden and cotton
mills there is a stout spirit of determination, and
the employers stand by their people with courage
The wood-workers of Pougnkeepsie, NJ I"
are also in good spirits and the extensive
factories Of that region are likely to run
through the Winter without any considerable
diminution of force. In New-Jersey, though
the depression has been more general IMAM e'se-
where there is a Talying influence AMONG the man
ufac-urers, and the working people have improving
prospects for the Winter. letter from Oxford
Nj. says that the region Of the PeQuest valley Is
prosperous and the end of all financial difficulties is
near at hand.
NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND NOT SUFFERING
A FAVORABLE CONDITION OF THE MILLS Al WooN-
soCKET-MANUFACTURE WILL NOT BIZ sUs-
PENDED FOR SOME MONTHS IN ANY EVENT
SOME CONTRACTION But No sToPPAGE-HoPE-
FUL vIEws OF MANUFACTURERS.
IrRoN A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNE.l
main manufacturing eenter OF Rhode Island outside of
Providence and the mill towns envroning that city. It's
population OF about Is O0 is almost entirely dependent
on manufacturing. There two companies carrying
on large cotton Mills the Social Manufacturing Company
add George c. Bauou sons. The great wOOlen
mills belonging 10 the estate OF the late Ed
ward Harris and 10 the Lipptt Wooden Com
pany are wen known through their productions
IN all parts Of the country. Besides these there
four cotton mills Of considerable SIZE extensive rubber
works worsted MILL mill for making lasting, large
machine shop, and some smaller manufacturing CON
GERMS together with contractors and builders employing
considerable numbers WooDsOcket has thriven greatly
during the last 1--WE years With the prosperity New
England manufactures. Most OF the water power
from the Blackstone River, which for ts volume is per
haps the busiest little stream in the country From its
Massachusetts, to its entry into Narraganset
Bay under the name Of the seekonk it is hardly any
where idle and the quantity Of machinery which the
Of its sopng bed set in motion is The
business part woonsoeket is hudded the old
Harris Mills, and though the main street has fine
buildings the appearance Of the village between the PrOv
deDce and Worcester Railroad and the old Balou Mill is
crowded and somewhat sguald. But on the clustering
hills and in the low nteryae, where the Social Mill
stands fair spaces and comely buildings Many Of
the mills gray old structures. built OF broken stone
set in masonry. while the greater part Of the tenement
houses occupied 10y the operatives humble wooden
structures Of dngy white, little decrept with years
snd hard use. The sOhd stateiness of the Harris MIL
the New Privilege, and Of the new Balou MIL how
ever satisfies the eye and signifies the progress Of the
place.
The depression in manufacturing has yet affected
woOnsocket seriously other townsof New England
The fact that 1880 hands still working full
hours and for full pay in the Harris. Social,
and BallOu Mills is encouraging in the midst
OF the general cutting-down. The Social Manu-
featuring Company runs 5000 spndles and 800
hos, cha, ~
shrtings sheetings and siesss. The demand for the
product OF this mill did not fall away largely
that for most manufactured goods at the beginning OF
panic aud there large contracts hand it
decided not to shorten production for the present
Full wages and full time Will be kept through this
month. but there IS change Of the market before
December q reduction in wages will probably be made
Little reduction in running time is thought Of The
stock Of the Social Company is owned in Providence.
OLD CONCERNS THAT WILL NOT STOP.
The Harris Mills five IN number four wooen and
ose cotton. Three OF the wooden mills and the cotton
mill clustered together In the center of the older
Of the town. and are rambling eguar old structures
of stone. The three woOleD mills have "a sets OF
machinery employed in making Harris goods and near
hands The cotton mill has 5000 spindles and over
100 hands. In 1929 Edward Harris built the
great brick mill On the I" New Privilege "-as the
water-power where the mill stands is called
which has % sets Of machinery and employs moro
than 800 hands. There more broad looms
IN tins mill than in three old and IL is Of
the largest Rhode Island mills under one roof About
two months ago boiler explosion at this mill did much
damage aud necessary repairs have just been flushed
ana tie mill has begun again 10 at full capacity
Wages at the Harris Mills little higher than two
years ago Edward Harris began manufacturing in
Ap 1892 on the ground where the old wooden mills
stand with OF satnet machinery. Twenty
ago he became OF the small cotton mill which adj
Joins the wooden mills. Through many difficulties,
losses and discouragemeuts his business expanded to
is present broad proportions In the A from the
start to the present. the Harris Mills have been
stopped for any financial depression and the
of property declare that they will not stop this WIN
ter Wages may De reduced next month If the depres-
continues but full hours will be kept up II possible
The Harris Mills run by the heirs of Edward
Harris That leader OF American wooden manufacture
died year the age OF H. He had made arrange
that of older WOODEN mills should be ex-
tended last Summer but his plan has not been carried
out.
Geo c. Ballou & Sons now the leading family in
cotton manufacture In Northern Rhode Island have
three mills in WoOnsocket. The old ml No. J. ~
long building the left bank OF the Blackstone.
1t has 1000 pndes, 22s iQOms and gives work % $50
hands fortnight ago this mil closed for
saIy repairs which will finished IN fortnight
longer when il is proposed 10 start at full time and
usual wages. on the right side Of the river the
Globe MILL mill No. 2, and the new mill, which was
DpeDed about two months ago. This IS an extensive
stone structure OF handsome appearance with capacity
400 spindes. aud will employ at full time about 500
hands. Only 2s,oco spindles are now running. but
machinery set up daily, and the mill will be full
IN two months. the Globe Mill, which has nearly 200
looms and $3.50 spndles and at the MILL there are
together employed hands at full hours aud full
pay. The Baous give out uBcertain sound IN This
srgss They take d hopeful Of matters are strong
OF courage and expect the present embarassmenis 60
pass away shortly They 10 not intend 10 cut
down numbers, hours pay, they can
avoid such course and viii run the
new mill of It's fun capacity az soon it is ready,