The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-09-04
Letter from E. Waitzfelder & Co., Commission
Merchants.
NEW YORK, August II, 1873.

NEW IOlsh1 AoSo'o IL, 'o'
J.P. REED, ESQ.,, ANDERSON, S. C.--Dear
Sir: We duly received your favor Of 24th
June, and tender apology for not sooner re-
plying to same. As Gov. Brown mentioned
our name in connection with the practicability
of running cotton mills by steam or water
power we most cheerfully submit such obser-
vations appertaining thereto as may be OF
value to you in organizing a cotton mill.
We have been running two cotton mills for
a considerable period, and are doing so at the
present time, one located at Millcdgeville, Ga,
the other in Philadelphia. At the former we
use wood for fuel; and coal at latter. Coal is
most economical, provided it can be obtained
in the neighborhood. A mill eligibly situated
On canal, with plenty of water and no water
rent, Tor even a small one or water power
from a river with good water fall and steady
run, is cheaper than steam. However, Without
an cuen supply Of water in river or canal, and
thereby be subject to low water and overf1ows'
steam is decidedly preferable. If your mill IS
in county where there is plenty of pine wood
or coal, steam power is nearly as cheap as wa
ter, when you take into consideration that
your mill is not disturbed by stoppages on ac-
count of the unreliability of the water, keeping
your machinery and operatives idle.a Besides,
if YOUR dam is not first-elass it continually re-
qaires repairing; whereas, with good boiler
and engine, with plenty of wood or coal, you
are not prevented from running regularly du-
ring all seasons of the year. Furthermore it
will be necessary for you to have steam in the
mill for dressing and dyeing purposes, and for
heating in winter time
Our mill at Philadelphia is situated on the
banks of the schuylkill River on one side, and
canal on the other, yet we use steam; firstly,
owing to cheapness Of coal; secondly, the wa
Ter rent being high, and the necessary too fire.
quent stoppages on account of low or too high
water.
We regret not being in possession of any
documentary data on these subjects, but pre-
sent foregoing views the results of our per-
sonal experience.
AS to whether the mill could be made to
| pay, depends altogether on the management,
and the parties intrusted with operating it, as
also the amount of capital invested. 1t would
prove disadvantageous to have lhe mill too
small, or being without sufficient quantity OF
approved machinery. These should cost at
least 100000; in addition to which you ought
to have some $4,000 to $4,000 available for
working capital, so that you could buy for
cash, and not be compelled to sacrifice your
goods in dull seasons. The more you can III
crease your machinery, the more profitable it
would prove for the company. If you succeed
in establishing mill for the manufacture OF
cotton goods, we would recommend you to get
your carding machinery from England, it be-
ing considered the best; and if we can be OF
any service in procuring that or other machine
ry, either in this Or the English market, let us
hear from you, and we will purchase to best
advantage.
Hoping your undertaking will be successful,
and in that way add desirable improvement
to YOUR Southern town, we are,
Very truly yours,
E. WAITZFELDER & co.