Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-07-24


Mr.. Leary may be said to have conquered
the stormy sea with his big RATS, having
Just reached New York from st. Johns, with
tho largest raft ever made. The total
length of the tow was 1000 feet, or about
four-fifths of a mile and there were 8, 800,
900 feet of lumber in the raft, which would
have required the services of forty schoon
ers had it been shipped in the usual way, at
three cents per foot freight. The Lucken
bach Towing company towed it to New
York with two tugs, at cost to the owner,
James d. Leary, of $1,000. This is the fifth
raft Mr.. Leary has shipped from st. Johns.
His first venture resulted in complete loss.
Two others also involved loss, the sea tear
ing the RATS so badly that only parts could
be saved. Not disheartened, he made a
fourth trial and succeeded. The success OF
the present voyage satisfies him that ship
ments in this way are now entirely prac-
ticable, besides serving the economies of
business. This will undoubtedly be unwel-
come news to owners of schooners but this
is an age of big things and immense RATS
may be expected to become all the rage
among oceanic lumber dealers.
New England's Industrial Future.
So much has been heard during the past
few years about the decadence Of New
Englands industries that many people have
almost como to believe that the manufac-
turing interests of this section have a very
unpromising future. In some localities it
must be confessed there are indications
which go to support the wise words of in
dustrial croakers who discover in the pres
ent conditions strong evidences of decay aud
who indulge in gloomy forebodings of dsns-
ter for the future; nnl in view of this con
diton of affairs all who are Interested in
New England's industrial future will he
pleased to SEQ the words of Senator Aldrich
of Rhode Island who has given this sub
iect careful attention. In n recent
address the senator accounted for some Of
the changed conditions which New England
manufacturers are forced to contend with.
he admitted at tho outset that there were
individual establishments and some classes
OF manufacture which from various causes
had ceased to be profitable in New England.
He included under this head Establish
ments in which there has been failure to
Use the 5os- machinery and the most etfec-
tive methods Of production, those which
changes in methods and cost of distribution
have thrown out of the channel of profita-
bic trade, and those engaged in the manu-
facture of articles intended for distant
markets, in which the difference in cost of
transportation is the controlling element,
and in the production Of which other sec
tions, nearer distributive centres, have
greatly superior natural advantages. lie
showed that in al Of these tho causes of
! failure are obvious and argued that they
were all beyond legislative remedy.
Senator Aldrich insisted, however, that
these changes furnish no evidence Of in
dustrial decay sine, similar changes arising
| from similar natural causes have been tax
iuG place during the past century, in manu-
featuring, in agriculture, in the trades ald
| in nearly every walk Of life. New invcn-
tions and changed surroundings and condi.
tons have contributed to this result but he
finds no reason for encouragement in the
outlook lie showed that New England
industries in the aggregate are not falling
behind. Old industries are giving place
TO those that are new and profitable.
and constant progress is being made In
1870 the aggregate value of the manufac-
lures of New England was 22S3 900, 900
this had increased in 1860 to $iG9 600. 600,
an increase Of SlSG, 0)0, 900 in ten years. OF
an annual increase of l. Clio million dollars.
In 1880 the total value Ut manufactured
products was 81, Nc. 600, 600. an increase II
twenty years of $GlIOOo, 0O0 or 30 ait
million dollars per annum. The figures for
1890 were not given but the increase must
be very large
70 enable New England to better hold
her place, however, Senator Aldrich urge.
stability OF policy and legislation, the adop
ton of all improvements, and greater di
versiication OF industries lie would have
the number Of technical, trade and m1uua
schools largely increased and he urges tn,
establishment OF art schools at al
the industrial centres. lo says thai
New England cannot expect to compete
with her European rivals in tho production
of the finest textile fabrics, or of that larg,
class of articles requiring the highest artis
tic taste in their design AMI execution
without giving to her people equal educa
tional opportunities; and it is the manufac
ture of these articles to which the attention
of New England must be turned with tn,
brightest prospects Of success in the future