The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-10-14
Mr.. LANSING'S LETTER.
Avlslt to the Makers Of Lace at Not
tlngham.
THEIR MANNER OF LIVING.
No Allowance For Time Lost I'm Chang
ing Machines s-The Cost of Living
Apprentices, Homes of Labor and the
Trade Outlook.

NOTTINGHAM, Sept IL hardly
think il necessary to inform my readers
the purpose Of IA visit to Nottingham.
Lace from this town is generally con-
sidered, believe, guarantee of excel
lent quality. The population of Not
tingham is close on ESQ, 900. Stocking
making is also a well-establlshed indus
try. Before visiting the lace makers,
let us, in the way of walk, visit few
local places.
First is the usual market place. Sit
uated in the center of the town. il coy
ers an area of 81 acres and is said TO be
the largest in England. Size and ex-
tent of business is the only novelty con-
cerning IL.
High up on the west side Of the town
Is the Castle containing a first-class
museum, with valuable local samples
In the form of lace. Built and RESULT
several times it presents more moaein
exterior appearance than many of the
castles visited. A spacious lawn. and
pleasant shaded walks tend To beautify
this landmark On the opposite side an
unobstructed view of the main portion
OF Nottingham may be obtained, and a
grand sight it is. The streets are SIM.
Lar to most English towns, very irregu-
lar and erratic, requiring vigilance TO
arrive at a certain point without walk
ing several times around it.
The pleasure gardens, and parks are
nicely laid out aud deserve unstinted
praise, as breathing places for the Door
Very fortunately i was able To visit |
many places in limited time, through |
the kindness and assistance of Thomas |
Wright. Esq, Secretary Of the Board of |
Consideration of the Lace Trade of |
Nottingham, a gentleman of vast experi-
ence and knowledge In this particular
branch, and who proved to be of inestam-
able aid in the pursuit of my inve stiga-
tions.
Regarding the lace makers upon
which, of course, most of the popula-
ton depend for support, there are
special things to notice. The condition
for the past eight years has been very
poor on account of the small demand.
and considerable competition which
necessarily seriously effects the working
people. OF late, for several reasons.
the condition has slightly improved.
There are three branches in the lace
industry. The curtain, lever aud plain
nef The lace curtains, fancy and plain
net laces although divided in -this-wav.
sook very similar In operation to the
uninitiated. Nottingham manufacture !
ers as we'll az employees have surely I
cause 20 remember the present protec- {
tion government OF our country, for a
number CT manufacturers as well AZ
hundreds of laborers have been trans
planted in America within few wears :
This has in measure crippled the $
business, although at present, there is n e
trifle better state Of things. b
The average number of hours of labor
Is 81 Ia per wesk They are diyidh a
similar to miners in shifts" The first :
shift is from a 90 g. second TO /. first g,
again from TO 9, and second from 6 to X
=. This OF course varies with the con- h.
ntion OF tYde. The ''levres" or fancy
ace makers, Just at present, with vari-
'us novelties are in the best condition a
With the lace curtain hands and nlsin
let in. the order named. The average
weekly wages are from 30s. TO BIS. rer
week (S720 to $40. These seem IKE n
,ood wages, but they are by no means fo
What they should be considering in fo
many cases, time lost in the way above 81
tated. h,
One apprentice to every seven mes is N
llowed In each firm by the society,". sa
fas is 2s. Cd per one foot, or eOc. ner ga
thousand. House rents run from the m
owest and poorest, at 81. Cd. per week
% the average mechanic at IA. per vi
week, or from SAC. to - SO per week. ~ ~
5qualor and poverty need not be looked ~ ~
or here, being evident in many places w
rom casual views. Perhaps itinerant OF
lenders, small boot and shoe makers ia
md other tradesmen contribute their ca
ust proportion OF the same. still the d
act remains there are many of the lace.
makers unable to support themselves
nd families properly.
During the time devoted to preparing ri
he machines for making lace, which Bs
nay be days, and even weeks, they are 81
lowed day wages proportionately to r,
he average weekly wages earned, and r.
lille the machines are in motion th
iece work is the system employed in =
aymept. The association is i'm "
ourishing condition at present, having
the neighborhood of 4,O0e members
ut OF 5000 men employed in the indus
y. Below is the usual table of food .
Article. English .n,~,. \
itter............... Is. To is. Cd. 24c 10 .1,c j
va gar .''..'''''''''.. 80 per stone 4sc. 10 ID.