Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-22
The Wealth and Industry of
Maine.

Under resolve Of the last Legislature, provid-
ing for the compilation of the Industrial Statistics
of Maine, Mr.. w. E. S. Whitman, State Statisti-
clan, has completed his annual report, which Will
shortly be published. 1t will make book OF 400
pages, and is a clear and quite exhaustive showing
of the various industries that go to make up the
material wealth of the State Its details, classit-
cations and statstics-its cheerful facts and fig
ures-plainly show the growth of the manufactures
Of the State. These facts will be valuable to bust
ness men, both in and out of the State. We know
that Mr.. Whitman has worked patiently and dill
gently, and with but few guideboards along the
way, to secure the valuable facts which he has
grouped in his report, the character Of which is
very similar in its line, to the valuable report on
the Water Power of Maine, by Walter Wells
The report under consideration embraces statls-
tical details and tables relating to the manufac-
turing, mining, commercial and agricultural in
terests OF the State; together with the valuation
and appropriations for various purposes OF the sew
eral towns and cities. In order to gather material
for his work. the compiler transmitted through the
mails, to manufacturers. assessors. and others,
nearly Ia, 900 circulars, schedules and written let
ters. The returns from assessors we're very mea
gre and of comparatively no value but the returns
from manufacturers and others were found to be
| of great value. The total number OF Establish
nents returned complete and partial, is 236l. In
the compilation of the statistics, the term "manu-
turns out a product, including the village shoe
maker, who makes shoes for his local customers,
with the cotton mill that turns out its textile fab
rcs for market not bounded by geographical
limits. The returns, ther efcre, embrace the pro-
auctions of every individual, firm and corporation,
which the compiler has been able to procure, with
out regard to the value of the production. This
plan gives a showing to the small establishments
which are necessary and important feeders TO The
larger
GROWTH OF MANUFACTURFS.
The growth of manufactures from 1860 to 1870
was l0S per cent, making allowance Of discount
to bring currency values to the gold standard. The
growth since 1870 has been q per cent. Our state
now ranks amOngsthe first in the manufacture OF
cotton goods. Within the past year shpbuilding
has completely revived from the prostration occa-
stoned by the rebellion, and that industry has en-
tered upon such an era of prosperity that Maine,
which heretofore has built one-third of the tonnage
OF the country, now bids fair to make larger con-
| ribution than ever. The business Of stone-quar-
rying has assumed surprising magnitude; oul
railroad facilities have been increased and new
lines are projected
BoOTs AND SHOES.
In 1860, the total invested capital in the State in
the manufacture of boots and shoes was 500 l24;
value of production, 81 10000; hands employed,
males, 2,O65 females, S36, total number, 2,9Ol;
wages, s66l,S1S In 1870 the total invested capi-
tai was s617 300; total number Of pairs of boot,
and shoes manufactured 2,0S9, ,l59; value Of pro-
| uuctl0D, So,lff,ff1, uuInDcf OF ndnus emplONeu,
males, l,54i; females, 49, children, %; total,
2,l0j wages, S11l ,066. The returns for this year
not covering the whole State, show invested
capital of the ~ establishments returned, of
81 1868 96i; number of pairs OF boots and shoes
manufactured, 5,6ii,2i4, or nine pairs for every
nhabitant in the State; value of production,
$3.50 9S6 hands employed males, 4,126, females,
629, children, 39 total number 1894; wages,
S229j,3 800 In the value Of production there has
been an increase of more than three hundred and
,iXtyone per cent, that of 1860, and hun
| dred and eighty per cent. over that of 1870. The
annual wages paid in the Auburn shoe factories
alone amount to 81 100000, or more than half of
the value of the product of the entire State in 1860
and more than twenty nine per cent of the total
wages paid in the State in 1870. Auburn has an
invested capital of more than one-hat of the entire
capital in the State in the business, and manufac
lures nearly half of the entire product. Portland
ranks second, and Bangor third in the list. The
boot and shoe business has been excellent through
out the year, and promises we'll for the future.
BRICK.
In 1870, Maine stood as the e,entcenth State in
the manufacture of brick the value of that produc
ton from 10 yards being $405,S93. For the pres
ent year returns have been received from 90 brick
Yards with total capital of S3l7 ,lS5, giving en-
ployment to 9l7 hands, and manufacturing H.
$4,000 brick, with total value of $500, ,j14.
The largest number of brick made, as well as the
largest number of yards, are in Penobscot county
principally in the town of Brewer, one company
$4,000. The past season has been favorable
one for the prosecution of the business. The
market for Maine bricks is in the State, Massa-
chu-etts and the southern ports.
CANNED PRoDUCTs.
The best canned corn comes from Maine, and
the largest lobster factories are here. The total
number of canning factories in Maine is 33, with
an invested capital of 1926 600, giving employ
ment the present year to 4,0S7 hands, of which
number 2,027 were males, l,160 females, and 800
children; total amount of payroll, S262 800 total
value of production, Sl,Si2, 600. Amount of
canned products as follows Corn, l75, 600 dozen
cans; succaash, 800 dozen cans HOLSTERS, 23l 600
dozen cans; salmon, 10000 dozen cans; clans,
800 dozen cans; total production, 735,1O0 dozen
cans The business is virtually carried on by
three Portland packing companies, which also
during the winter season put up large amount
of meats, &c. Two of these firms also have fac
tories in Nova Scotia, the products Of which are
not included in the foregoing exhibit The pack
ing factories on the coast extend from Yarmouth
to Cape Sable, and their products go to all parts
Of the world.
CoTToN GooDs.
The United States census report of 1860 gives
the number of factories in Maine for the manutac-
ture of cotton goods, not specified as 20; total
capital, 50, ,6S5; steam power, $40 horse
water power, 1905 horse; hands employed, males,
1854; females, s. 223 children 512; total number,
$3.50; wages, $2,559,597; value Of materials, in
Guiding supplies, s6,67l ,2so; value Of production
ture of batting, waddipg, thread, twne and yarn,
three total capital, $4,000; water power, no
horse; hands employed males, ~, females 23,
children 10; total number, 60; wages $4,000 /;
value of material, including supplies S7j, $500 !;
value of production, Sl04, 400. The total number
of cotton manufacturing establishments returned
in 1870, according to the United States census re-
port, present the following results Total number
of establishments, %; capital, $9,S39,6S5 steam
power 320 horse; water power, S,OlS horse; num-
ber of spindles, 459,772; hands employed, males
1905, females 6,246 children, 5S7; total number,
$780, wages 50 ,565, 1877; value Of materials in
Guiding supplies, $6,7467S0; value of production,
$ll ,S4i ISL. There is a discrepancy between the
returns of the statistical department of the census
as those of the former full and complete, they
are supposed to be correct. The total number OF
factories for the manufacture Of cotton goods In
the State at the present time is 2l; total capital,
ST., ,382 ,000 steam power, 800 horse; water power,
9,250 horse; number Of spindles independent of
those not specified in returns, 552,3SS; value OF
: raw material, $6,5ll Jas; value of production,
Sl2, ,427 670 hands employed, males2 ,769, females
1904, children 72l; total number, 1924; wages,
$50, ,426, ,S25. Total number of establishments for
the manufacture of batting, twinc, warp and yarn,
, five; capital, Sl30,000; water power, POS horse,
machines employed, which the returns do not state
.,hotho, loou,s or Sn;ndles o15 numher of snin-