Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1888-11-01

Asa manufacturing state. Vermont
possesses many advantages not en- joyed
BY other manufacturing centers; espec-
ially is this true of certain industries.
Power is abundant 10 most sections.
But the chief difficulty has been insuffic-
len: transportation facilities, the raw
material and finished product often hav-
iDg to be hauled many miles by team to
the nearest railroad station. Always
have our manufactures been obliged to
labor under this disadvantage to a great
er or less extent. As a consequence
manufactures of various products which
grew up il remote towns and villages
under the stimulus Of prices immediate
lyfollowing the late war, have been forced
to abandon their business or remove to
more populous center, nearer transport
tation advantages, which in measure
reduces the cost OF production. In these
later years of competition especially
since 1870, manufacturers have been
obliged to content themselves with the
naToWest margin of profits which would
enable them to live.
In the competition for supremacy in
manufacturing since 1870 the tendency
mas been toward the concentration OF
capital IN large centers with a conse-
quent reduction of cost Of production to
minimum and corresponding crushing
out Of existence Of large number Of
small shops and mills engaged in some
lines Of manufacturing, abandonment Of
Establishments in the back towns, a flock
ing Of the operatives to the larger centers
and depopulation OF the smaller vii
lagos which grew up around every mill
and factory
In 1850 Vermont had lS49 manufac-
turing establishments; in 1860, 1888;
nlS7O 1870; and in 1880, 1884; a
decrease Of 1896 IL len years or about Ia
per cent While there has been a de-
crease of IA per cent in the number OF
manufactures, there has been an increase
otrapital invested from S5,001,3 77 in
1890, to So, 1885, in 80; 500. 329,627
10 $50 to S23 265. pa IN 1880; an in
crease OF S2S35.5S7 or one-tenth of one
per cent in the last decade with all its
attendant adversities aud draw backs to
manufacturing enterprises. The value
Of materials Used in 1870 amounted to
slhO01 1853 which increased in the fol-
loving decade to SIS, 330,6T7 in 1880.
10 1917 the finished products were val
aed az s32, lS4,606 which fell to $751;
oo4'366 in 1880; a decrease of $780,
-4V although all else excepting the num-
Ger OF manufactures had shown a slight
increase. The number of hands employ
ed IN 1870 was 1866 which fell to IT.
o4V 10 1880, decrease of LAG. The
wages paid in 1870 amounted to s6.264.-
9Sl, and fell to S5,164,479 in 1880, a
decrease Of 81 ,l00,l02.
Taken as a whole, then, Vermont's
manufacturing interests have declined
sightly since 1870. although the value
q q the finished product has increased
what the cause Of this decline is would
e marc to determine with any degree of
accuracy, but may be ascribed, no
uoaot partly, to the pressure of large
combinations of capital in the important
transportation centers, aud partly to
1ecllne 10 the demand for certain manu-
,aotared articles which has been removed
" the establishment of manufactures
nearer the source of the demand. These
liiis oy saving the item of transporta-
won lees IN being established near to the
~ufee OF demand have crushed out the
manufacturers in our own state by under
swung them in the markets of which
ou' termont manufacturers were ouce
TIE masters.
sometime in the first part of the dec
ade from 1870 to 1880, member o
!. .Is state board of agriculture stated
' i there were not less than FIVE hun
liel water powers in the state which
~ not 10 use. 1t would be impossible
s; s ,sst'mate the number now which are
rue but probably it would exceed that
''m.-Ft, Monthly.