The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-06-16
COTTON FACTORIES.

Some time since the United States de-
partment of state, through SECRETARY FRI
LINGHuYsEN, sent out a series Of cotton ci,,'
culars to the consular officers OF this coun
try, in Europe, directing them to procure
statistics in the matters Of modes Of manu-
facture, expenses, profits, wages, food,
prices, etc. As result Of the effort almost
invariably those consals experienced the
greatest difficulty in procuring the desired
information. The manufacturers manifest.
ed the greatest reluctance to supplying any
Of the needed data. The cause OF their Sc
cretiveness was that they dreaded compet'-
ton on the part of America, and they re-
garded that by disclosing their
methods they would be furnishing
a stick to break their own
heads with. Some of the leading
manufacturers were candid enough to say
that, when America. with her staples
should adopt the European methods, trade
there would be at an end" This was true
not only of Germany, Holland, Belgium
and Italy, but even of Great Britain. And
well may these people be alarmed. For
when We consider that last year the Eng
lish exports OF cotton yarns alone amounted
to 10000, 900 pounds in round numbers,
while their exports of manufactured goods
footed up some 1000, 100000 yards for six
months alone, or $l32, 0OO,O 900, we appreciate
the nervousness. This is a vast trade, in.
volving millions OF dollars investment for
the plant, machinery, buildings, etc., etc,
and also immense populations. Now then
England and all the other countries so
dread American competition for the sole
reason that America is the place where the
raw material is produced. And they have
abundant cause for them fear. If this be
so. how much more cause have the north
ern states to dread the southern in the
matter of competition Here on this soil
at our very doors grows the cotton. Should
we use even northern methods we ought TO
outstrip the north in the race Should we
use the more economical European meth
oupt W. Oubhb w Outotilp EuiOpC, uuu
would be sending our manufactured pro-
ducts all over the world. This logic Is ire
sistible, provided always the expenses here
do not eat up the difference,
for there Is no reason why the man.
agement should not be as excellent.
There is no reason why factory estab-
lished in Dallas should not pay as hand.
somely as anything Of the kind in Georgia,
where they produce net eighteen to twenty.
five per cent. annually. The joint stock
company as now proposed will be sort OF
cooperative affair, for it is proposed to
parcel out the stock in small amounts, so
that the workmen may all have an interest
If they so desire. 1t is only twenty years
ago since the first cooperative factory in
Oldham was started for yarn. During these
twenty years some seventy new mills have
been erected there. The number of
spindles In that district now exceeds $780,
900, representing capital Of over $50.
100000. In less than twenty years
from to-day Dallas can be greater
than Oldham is now, for she
has advantages and facilities that that sec
ton did not and does not possess. With
success that must come of cotton manufac-
turing In this way necessarily comes ad
vancement Of all values, in the real estate,
railway, mechanical, etc. And
even professions must feel the effect.
Hence every man and woman of Dallas is
interested in the completion of cotton fac.
tory here. To-day there will be meeting
at the merchants exchange to organize
fully the company. This is the first practi-
Gal step. People who propose to subscribe
must first know with whom their monies
will be entrusted and how they will be
handled. Therefore let this step be taken
1t once. From this as nucleus we can
proceed to making and collecting requisite
10 building, etc. But. by all
means, let the movement begin at once by
company organization.