Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-02-25
HOW RIBBONS ARE MADE.

The manufacture of ribbons was carried
on in France some time before that of silks,
and the works at Saint Etienne were
among the earliest established. At the be-
ginning of the present century there were
ID 600 machines, employing 25, 900 labor.
ers, in these works, and the annual pro-
duction was II, 600. 600 of ribbons. In 1884
the production had tripied, and between
lS49 and 1857 the annual production sur
passed 100 000,0 600 of ribbons. But this
prosperity was followed by reverses, due
chiefly to a change of fashion and some
what later the rebellion in this country,
which was followed by very high tariff
duty, seriously affected this branch
of manufacture, and in 1866 and 1867
but 60, 600, 600 of ribbons were produced.
But prosperous period followed, and
IN 1872 the production reached 100, 900, 900
of ribbons, a number that decreased dur
ing the following years of depression more
than half. In the mean time the cost OF
silk has greatly decreased, and the great
employment of cotton wherever it can be
used has decreased the value of the rib
bons. At present there are about %, 900
machines at Saint Etienne, requiring the
attendance of rs, COO men and women. The
economy of the ribbon manufacture is Pc
culiar. More than one-third of these ma
chimes are distributed among the cottagers
of the Loire, and form a very important
part of the manufacture for while but one
ribbon is usually made at time, it may be
made wider and of more peculiar pattern
than when two or more ribbons are made
on one machine. This can be done because
the labor of these cot gers is cheap.
There will sometimes be found as many
as three machines in one cottage, which
are managed by the parent as master, and
by his family, or by apprentices, who do
not yet possess machines of their own.
But the number of such apprentices is
small, because by their labor they can soon
save enough to obtain machine of their
own, and thus rise to the dignity of a
master. When trade is brisk al appren.
tice soon saves 200 francs, which he pays
on account of machine Costing from 500
to 5000 francs, according to it's makel and
he pays the balance when he can. There
is no regular tariff of wages, but the price
for each task is stipulated for when it IS
given out. This arrangement Is IN part due
to the great difference in the quality of ma
teriai used. Thus the silk from the East
is very cheap In price, but breaks very
easily, and it is very difficult TO spin,
because much time is lost in stopping
the machine in order to tie tile broken
threads. For working such mate
rails the wages of the laborer are rela-
lively higher than when other and more
firm silks are used aud In case of any diff
ference between master and apprentice it
is referred to jury of experts, who decide
upon the remuneration. For the product
of the labor of the apprentice the master
takes one half as rent for the use of the
machine. In good years about six francs
per day is earned by each machine, so that
the apprentice will, under the arrangement
just mentioned, receive three francs per
day. The pay of workman will at times
rise as high as fifteen francs per day. For
common ribbons the cost of the labor rep
resents but 10 or Is per cent. of the value
of the ribbon, but it may rise as high as
40 per cent. in the case OF the more I'm
ished products. The factory Of Saint
Ehenne employs about 1900 machines
but little progress has been made in apply
ing the great motive forces usually applied
when manufacture is carried on on large
SCALE About two-thirds are run by n.y.
draulic machines, l,500 by mechanical
contrivances, and but 400 by steam.