The daily gazette., 1880-11-09
THE SOUTHERN STAPLE.
AMERICAN COTTON MANUFACTURE
OF THE FUTURE-sTEAM AND
WAITER POWER COMPARED,


OF THE FUTURE-sTEAM AND
WATER POWER COMPARED,
From the N. Y. Herald.
There are now some 10000, 900
cotton spindles operated In the Uni
on. In the year 1900, only nineteen
years away, there will be 10000, 900
needed, because the increase of po-
pulation and expectation OF Ameri-
can goods will demand them. The
population as ascertained by the
recent census, is, in round numbers,
so 900 900. In 1870 it was $4,000 600
an increase of thirty-one and a
half per cent in ten years. The same
rate of increase for the next two de-
cades will make it S6,000,000. To
sustain this estimate let me sug-
gest that from 1890 to 1920 and
| for each succeeding period OF thirty
wears the "Compendium United
Statss Census" shows an average
increase of over one hundred and
forty per cent. This ratio applied
to the 3S,O00,000 of 1870 gives us
over 90, 900, 900 in 1900 thiry years
later. So it appears that twenty
years hence we may expect popu-
Iation nearly double that of the pres
ent year as just ascertained. Even If
| this estimate of population fails the
increased tendency of the people to-
| ward manufactures will compensate
for the smaller rnumber of thelpopula-
ton. Will not two pounds of cot
ton goods be required from United
States mills in 1900 for one pound
now produced If this is correct
20, ,0O0,0 of spindles will be requir-
ed. During the interval of nineteen
years most Of the spindles now in use
will be worn out or otherwise de-
stroyed.
Let us say that 3, 900, 900 must be re-
placed and 10000, 900 more must be
supplied-in all 100000, with all
their preparatory and following ma
| chinery before the end of this century.
Is this sxtravagantf l think not.
Oas-half Of the 1000, 600 at work in
in 1870 were operated by steam, the
other half by water power. The III
nancidl Chronicle reports the home
| consumption last year at 1,SOO, 600
bales, averaging 4S1 pounds each.
This is equivalent to over S65, 900, 600
pounds. If the ratio of 1870 has been
maintained some 430, 600, 900 pounds
have been manufactured by steam in
1879 and 1880. Is this economical?
1t pays, certainly ; but does it pay as
well as with water power? The requi-
site power for 1000 spindles, with
looms, has been variously estimated
at fifteen to twenty five horse power.
AS all speeds have been accelerated
since the introduction of the American
ring spindle, let us take lin medio) the
ratio the twenty horse power. For co.
600, 900 of spindles, with looms, this
ratio demands 400, 900 horse power.
COUNTING THE COST.
The steam engines of the country
will average, suppose, consumption
Of six pounds of coal per horse power
per hour, or 90 pounds per day Of ten
hours work. At this rate there will
be required "a, 900, 900 pounds OF coal
| daily, or 12, 900 tons, to do the amount
of duty required. Isuppose the aver
age cost of coal will be "a, to cover
prime cost, freight, drayage, labor and
storage. Here we have charge for
steam fuel alone of $48, 900 per day,
and for working year OF 312 days Of
$15, ,000,0 900. Add to this the wages of
engineers, firemen and laborers to
handle the coal the excess of repair,
| cost of engines over that of turbines
the excess Of oil required Ga few gills
daily are sufficient for a turbine of 100
horse power making eighty revolutions
per minute) the greater cost of en-
, gines the unavoidable outlay for en-
gine and boiler houses and stacks and
the somewhat increased danger of fire
and it seems that $4,000, 900 is a low
estimate of the annual cost of steam
: power for 20, 900, 900 Of spindles will
! looms. What would be the cost o.
water power.
The city of Augusta, Ca, has built |
( magnificent canal, which furnishes nov
' $4,000 horse power, with capacity .
great increase, at tho annual charge O
: $3.50 per horse power or i. cents DO
horse power per day. One hundrs,
horse power on this canal will cost
manufactureT $3.50 per annum. This
ssplendid climate, with cheap buildip
d materials, abundant and cheap labor
teachable, tractable, thankful for en-
ployment and utterly unAcquainted Wit
Q "strikes," and States taxation-thret
If tenths Of one per cent-to be reduce
II rather than increased, for the Stat
finances are In most satisfactory copd
ton. Georgia has fioAted four per cer
l. bonds at par, . financial feat, l believ,
r not paralleled by any other State. Mar
j. ufactures are firmly established thsr
and very remunerative. Stocks are (,
RS above par. At the water rent fixed b
10 the city of Augusta the 100000 horI
NJ power estimated would cost $2,200,OC
"a instead OF $l5, 100000 by stesu, a sa
ID ing nearly $1S,0O0,000 annually, and
$25O,O0e,000 in twenty years. If the
estimates are even approximately co
rect there can be no doubt Of the gre,
ut lv aunarioF acnnomy Of Uatar ovar =, -. .