The New York herald., 1873-11-09

ply however, the depressing eject was not so
early experienced here aR in other Industrial
quarters IN New England, and neither Is 1t 30
serious nor s IL likely 20 be lasting. Among
tue causes which conspire to this comparatively
favorable condition OF affairs is the TACT that most
OF the corporations IN Lawrence are founded
upon basis which no ordna furry In the money
market is calculated 10 disturb Fuftiermore, the
fabrics manufactured In many OF the mills are oi 4
character which almost invariably find ready
market, and what Is more singular and gratifying,
there appears TO be such an amicable feeling be-
tween the employers aud employed that they can
not afford to do otherwise than stand by each other
during a temporary embarrassment. With scarcely
q single exception the manufacturers here are de-
termined To keep along IN one way or another unul
the app reach OF more prosperous times. lt is true
they have in a few Instances reduced the hours OF
labor III lhe mills aud wages have been lessened
accordingly. Still further reductions in time a,ld
wages may also lie made, but the idea OF suspend
ing operations altogether Is not harbored Tor
single moment. Some of
TIE LARGEST MILLS IN THE WORLD
are located in this city, and the managers argue
that tue loss which would result 10 buildings and
machinery on account of total suspension, to-
rether with the scattering OF many OF their most
skilled operatives, would be such as they could
not recover from IN long time after work was
resumed Besides the various other industrial es-
taolishments in the city the woollen and cotton
mlls alone hire furnish livelihood for not less
than
TWELVE THOUSAND MEN AND WOMEN,
and the hardship and suffering which would ensue
during the winter If the manufacturers suspended
altogether is fearful 10 contemplate Serious as 1t
would he, though, there are few manufacturing
cities In the East where it would be less The rea-
10 hat fbn nf ha as in
Lawrence have been here for generation al
most. 1t may be fairly said of them as a
class that they have grown up with the
city and with It's manufacturing industries. Many
Of them commenced work here twenty and twenty.
i've years ago with the same corporations py which
they are now employed, and IN hundreds OF cases
the children OF tlcse veteran operatives are also
employed tn the same establishments. While this
condition OF affairs may be noticeable in other
manufacturing centres 1t probably exists to
larger extent here than in any other section OF
New England. The English and German element
IL largely represented among the operatives, the
Irish and American being limited in comparison.
As general thing they have been conspicuous for
industry ana rugality. and If they were suddenly
thrown out OF employment altogether they could
get along for lew months at least. Along
the shores OF the Merrimac-sthe bold Merrimac,r
IN the language OF the song-are hun
dreds OF neat and tidy tenements and
boarding houses, and between them and the
river, within stones throw, the mammoth
mills OF the various corporations. These tene-
ments are rented TO the operatives on easy terms,
and nearly every occupant has from halt dozen
to a dozen boarders. from whom they derive q
handsome revenue and profit in addition to their
own earnings. Besides those occupying rented
houses there are between 1000 and 5000 occupying
haua frnr, tha
rations, and III almost every the estates are
unencumbered. The three savings banks IN the
city have deposits from about loco heads OF fam
lies among the operatives and from almost an
equal number Of the unmarried employees. Assum-
ing that these institutions are OF the anti-Rhodc
Island character, these facts go to show that,
under the most un adorable future circumstances,
the wolf can be kept away from the door for the
present.
THE PACIFIC MILLS.
The Pacific Mills which loom up among the
others ike a Great Eastern among fleet OF tug
boats, undoubtedly the most extensive on the
American Continent. called there this afternoon,
and in an interview with one OF the officials was
assured that the IDEA of reducing pay hours OF
labor had not yet been entertained, and 1t was the
hope and intention that they would be enabled TO
keep along usual until times were better. Some
idea the magnitude OF the business OF The Pacific
corporation can De formed when 1t is stated that 1t
furnishes employment to about
FIVE THOUSAND OPERATIVES,
and tw0-thirds OF the number are young women.
Their capital is 81 100000 and their manufacturing
mills are nine in number, including three large
buildings for the exclusive manufacture Of print
cloths Their cotton spindles number about 100000
and wOrsted splndles about 24,000, and about
10000 yards OF various fabrics are turned out
weekly, in which are consumed H. 900 pounds Of
cotton TO say nothing OF 49, 900 pounds OF wool en-
ployed in the manufacture OF worsted goods. The
monthly pay roll amounts TO about $l50.000. The
citizens o. Lawrence,rlva manufacturers as well
too formidable TO be affected seriously by
the ssss present - CRISIS s:,,. why they are ss
States States treasury ITSELF" declared a prominent
merchant whom l interviewed upon the gen.
sion.n he continued, seem to be the creed Of that
mammoth and marveously successful corpora
ton. During the last dozen or more years, while
the stock has averaged double its par value, and
the twelve per cent seni-annual dividends have re-
peatedy followed each other, the corporation has
watering the stock, but by erecting splendid new
mills from the surplus earnings over the heavy
grounds were covered, and then purchasing addi-
tional territory for their enlarged business"
OPINIONS OF A REPRESENTATIVES MAN.
Among the prominent citizens OF the city whom
interviewed on the subcc OF such vital interest
to the city was Mr.. George $. Merrill, the Posmas
ter. Secretary Of the Republican state Committee,
and Butler politician OF considerable renown.
comparing our industries with those OF other New
England manufacturing cities,u he said, 1--WE have
much reason Tor taking pride IN the solidity OF
corporations; and the masses who depend upon
them tor their daily bread must feel grateful tnat
vide them means to comfortably get through the
coming winter. Generally our own mills have
yet experienced less OF the disturbing in
nuences than those In other cities. material
reduction may possibly become necessary, but we
trust the good sense or those whom IL will most
closely afect will accept the situation neces-
sity. II IS far better Tor all concerned-fOr the
mills and surely tor the peope-that there should
be a reduction OF the hours OF labor, with a cor
responding dininution OF wages, than entire
stoppage even partial stoppage Of machinery.
The wiser course, 70 whatever extent or end the
give all some employment, even moiety OF con-
slant pay. enough to meet immediate absolute ne
cessitics, than only portion OF the mills
full time and throw part OF the opera
tives entirely out OF employment. Those OF our
corporations who have already felt compelled to
reduce their production have wisely adopted this
course and so long as, In the confused condition
OF the markets, there were sales, IL was surely
prudent to reduce-better to trim ana curtail
noM-anl be In readiness to eaten the new breeze