Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1891-12-10
About Carpets, Cottons and Clothing.


Everybody who is watching the
progress of American enterprise, or is
especially anxious for information as to
what this country is doing in the way of
competing with foreign countries in the
quality and quantity Of high grades OF
carpet and cotton manufactures, will be
interested in the following article from
the pen of Charles S. Smith, of the New
York Chamber Of Commerce. 1t shows
how marvellous have beer the strides OF
the United States in coming to the front
as manufacturing nation, under the in
fiuence of American protection:
Of carpets we are the largest producers
in the world, and IN design, colOrS and
quality our goods are quite equal to any
thing made in Europe OF competing grades;
of silk we exceed in amount the product OF
England anu Germany, and are second
only to France; and IN plain silks Gin
which we excel as res oectS quality and
durability we equal the product of the
most famous looms OF Lyons.
The large corporations OF New England
engaged in cotton manufacture have had,
as indicated by their last half yearly divi-
dendS, average success, Notwithstanding
the fact that the average prices OF cotton
fabrics for the past six months have been
the lowest known IN the history OF the
trade in the United States, even in the
times of exceptional temporary panic or
depression.
Although an English cotton mill costs to
build and equip fully 3319 per cent. less
than ours, and while labor in such mills is
20 per cent. less in England than here Gin
some Industries the difference is much
greater), it is an interesting fact that one
may buy the low and medium grades of
cotton goods Of the class used by the
masses, or ready-made garment of the
ofc 1, i,fir, nnli rim Trho
canton flannel and the like, in the retail
stores of New DIRK and Chicago, quite as
low as a similar article can be bought in
London, Paris or Berlin. American
standard sheetings and drills have
the preference IN the Chinese mar
ton with English and German made
goods, and always at better prices, be-
cause of their superior quality. The
product of favorite brands OF American
Standard sheetings and drills adapted to
the China markets has been sold in adj
vance of production for more than six
months past, and prominent mill has
| African market.
1t is a humiliating fact that every bale OF
| New England made goods destined for
| China is shipped by the Canadian Pacific
Railway to Vancouver and from thence to
| Its destination by English steamers, and
| this large traffic has been diverted from
| American railways and from the Pacific
| Mail steamers because that line of steam
ers has not heretofore been able to com
| pete with the English government subsidy
1t has been proved that we can success.
| fully compete with Europe in the Oriental
markets, In the manufacture and sale of
plain cotton goods when the cost of labor
In producing piece of goods does not ex
| coed 25 per cent. of the total cost. l have
seen recently a stylish and appropriate
summer morning dress, made from col
| ored American cotton fabric by youne
| lady with her own fingers, where the coS1
| of the material did not exceed $L25.
raady-made suit OF clothes for man, O.