The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-27
THE FALL RIVER MILLS.
Actual Condition of the Print-Cloth Trade
An Early Improvement Expected.

New YORK. Dec, 26-The Herald, this morn
ing prints letter from Fall River, Mass, show
ing the real condition of the mills in that city
and the outlook for owners and operatives 1t
says:
"The real condition of trade here is not such
as to warrant any one in believing the seusa-
tional reports which appear in newspapers out
side of the city. Articles frequently written
solely In the interests of mill-owners. and oper-
atives well, and thus great injustice is done
both classes. The Herald representative has
carefully and impartially looked the field over;
conversed with mill officials, business men
and operatives, and has reached the fol-
lowing conclusion in reference to the situa-
ton: Forty odd mills running affording
employment to all operatives at wages paid
since the strike, year ago. No strikes are con-
templated, and no further reduction suggested
Operatives here are an intelligent class. They
can see from the market reports that print
cloths are being manufactured at actual loss
of lilo per cent per yard to fnll-owners. With
one or two exceptions, mill corporations pay no
dividends, and those that do pay do so from tho
surplus Of former years. These facts cause an
unusual friendlness between the operatives and
owners. Mill officials assert that the worst is
over Operatives have steady work. and many
own shares in the mills Of the city. Mill stocks
have therefore, been paying investment. Many
investors, carried away with large dividends in
the past desired to speculate; hence the fever
was contagious. ana To-Day mas Jlle inhabitants
of the Spindle City" saddled with unproduetive
property 1t is reasonable to believe the as
sertions of mill officials that the worst is over
They. as well as Others, point to the fact that
holders of stock are unwilling to sell at the
market price.
During the year there have been only a few
transactions, and brokers had hard work to keep
their heads above water. Weekly sales are held
but are poorly attended. Brokers predict
rise very soon and they seem to see a silver lin
IN tO hp plO hey KIM fbapa &c
remedy for the present depression, as Fall River
does not control the print-coth market, not
withstanding that at present she produces 49,
600 pieces of forty five yards each week. Store
keepers have not recovered from the effects of
the last strike, and subsequent running on short
time, which took about $3.50 900 from circulation
They treat the operatives well, and give them
weekly and monthly credit while many of them
especially house furnshers, have inaugurated an
economical loan system, which does not include
the extorton usual in such branches of business ="
"Much of the suffering among operatives
comes from the saloons which infest the city
Inquiry at the savings bank, postoffice, and emil
grafton agencies revealed. interesting facts A
postofice official says the operatives despite the
dull times, have generously remembered their
relatives and friends in the old country during
the year, and that the amount forwarded
through the foreign money order department
only 90 per cent less than last year
leading emigrant agent states that during the
year he has sold between $50 900 to 800 900
worth of drafts. and as far as he can estimate
one-half of this was sent by operatives
The amount forwarded for Christmas was larger
than in 1882 and 1883. These facts speak for
themselves. new mill is now being built
which will soon put 40, 900 more spindles into
operation Fall River to-day is making 37S 900
feet of print goods per hour. besides shirtings
and goods conversion. Although manufacturing
900 pieces of print-cloth per week, it should
be stated that only two weeks production &C
cumulates, This fact, together with the stiff
ness of the market, is the reason which manu-
facturers give for hopefuness of the future"