The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-20


TO the State and its people consists In the
average results ofall. II Is therefore clear
that whatever means will raise the aver
age, will be of value to the whole. 1t is
the sum total or aggregation OF oil inter
ests upon the basis OF the highest attain
able average In results. which Is necessary
to give us the commanding position to
which we should aspire.
A archaeological School.
equipped with the best possible means for
labortory work and the facilities for the
study of the technics OF Industrial art In
accordance with the most advanced sys-
TENS and the application Of its teachings
through exhaustive aud thoroughly prac-
tical methods of training, will prove of
inestimable benefit alike to the State, the
manufacturer, the benefactor and the
beneficiary. 1t will give to the State OF
Rhode Island commanding position. an
influence which when once firmly estab-
lished will ever remain a permanent pos
session of almost incalculable value.
There are several polytechnic schools of
high grade in the United States, which
are performing excellent service In the
teaching OF scientific branches or engi-
neering, mining. chemistry and mechan-
les: but there are none, so far rs known,
that have as yet given attention, except
in the most superficial manner, to the
important interests OF the textile manu-
factures. or the processes OF bleaching.
dyeing, printing and finishing OF fabrics.
The textile interest alone would justify
the most ardent support OF all the people
il they could but realize the great oppor-
tunities for development in this field of
industrial labor, and the consequent and
inevitable growth of the industry through
the vast opportunity OF diversified pro-
duct.
Thousands of millions of dollars in
A ifa hay m
the past been expended for the textile
products of Europe. and hundreds of mil
lions will yet be EXPENDED in the future
before American manufacturers can ac-
quire the requisite knowledge OF the art
TO enable them to produce the fabrics
which ought now to be made by Ameri-
can labor. The present condition OF tex
tile industries Is in need OF just such re-
lief as this would afford. We have the
capital and the people; we require only
the technical knowledge and the skill OF
European artizans to enable us to extend
the operations of our textile interests
with profit to both labor and the capital
employed. We can procure this skill
from abroad, and in many instances IL Is
being imported, but such "a condition OF
is undesirable. 1t Is only in
exceptional cases when the most skillful
artizaps can be induced TO come hither.
There is also an element of risk in unwise
far too important to be circumscribed
within the arena OF such limitations.
The only wise and proper course is the
adoption of the means and methods
which have given to the European ma
tions named their position OF advantage.
1t is therefore our duty to establish
system OF industrial and technical train
ing, which will, In the very near future,
supply much-needed want. One that Is
sure to become more apparent as neces
sity in a comparatively short period.
In the Manufacture OF Cotton
It Is even now question of serious inn
portance TO New England, where large
amounts of capital are already invested
upon which depends the permanent pros
perity of its people. 1he manufacture OF
the coarse fabrics Is being rapidly trans
ferred to the South, where the goods can
be produced at a less cost. This change is
helpful to the South through the diyersi-
fication OF it's industries. IL Is also OF
benefit TO the nation and all It's people.
1t establishes mutual interest, and will
soon secure the Southern States In the
support of such policy OF public interest
as may be necessary to the protection OF
this important industry.
To meet the inevitable loss Of the coarse
goods the New England and Middle
States must turn their attention to the
finer and higher grade OF goods, which
requires less of raw material but u larger
of labor and OF a kind which JUS
titles the best compensation. because OF
it's greater skill. IL isa policy which is
clearly In the interest of all classes and
of our people. 1t Is necessary
TO the protection of already vested inter
ests and investments, and thus equally OF
Importance to the protection Of the vast
of our savings institu-
savings OF the operatives and
mechanics of New England.
The Other Textiles
In woolens, worstsds, silk. fax and vari-
Gus fibrous materials are involved in the
which now exist. They are
equally with cotton, and in the case of
Of foreign labor.
We have no objection to this class of
skilled artizans, we may cheerfullv well
come them in large numbers but the
principle Is wrong, Notwithstanding 1t
ought to be the desire and aim Of Ameri-
our own people. The adoption Of such
policy would be fruitful OF advantage to
American interests in the broadcast ac-
ceptance Of the term.
Under the Present system
there Is no fair opportunity for young
man to acquire thorough practical
OF the several processes in the
of fabrics. There is "a general
iudisposition on the part of those so-called
" skillful" to impart TO others Of their
while many are thus employed
who do not possess the faculty, aud many
Of them are rendering service in import
ant departments. whose personal qualif-
cations are far less than the demands Of
such impuHant interests justly require.
The great need Of the textile industries in
the United States is higher education
and training Of its artizans and managers.
However much there may be to justify
the pride we may have In the important
textile industry of our country, the fact
remains that we are far behind our COM
petitors In European countries in respect
TO important technical knowledge aud
training. aud as compared with the in
dustry In Great Britain. we have much to
learn or put into practice, in respect to
the capacity for producing, aud the econ
omy OF management.
The Industrial School
which we propose Is intended to supply
this much needed want. 1t should be or
ganized upon aplan which will insure the
highest attainable results. It's aim should
be to excel all other institutions of its
kind. Its course Of studies snould be linn
tied TO the textile industries, chemistry,
special engineering subjects, and the APP
piled mechanics kindred thereto. and such