New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-06
FALL RIVER MILLS CLOSED.
SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND SPINDIES TO
De IDLE FOR WEEKS
TIE DEAETu OF CURRENCY THE IMMEDIATE
CAUSE or THE CONDITION HARD TIMES


period" is the sentence attached by brokers to
their weekly statement Of the condition OF tho
cloth market and the Mule Spnncrs Association
lead of their monthly circular with Tie words :
Husband your resources" The two expressions
picture tho mill situation here today about as
clearly ~ II can be painted in words. Tic fo-
lowing mills closed tonight for one week, but
the greater portion for four and probably sin
weeks America Linen. $1,000 spindl's; Ana
wan, 10000: Fall River Mandatory, $4,000:
Flint 1900 Granite. 81 90, which has new
mill in the process OF erection; King Philip. loj-
900; Laurel Lake $4,000; Mctacomct. 2s.0do:
Richard Borden, $4,000; Robson. $4,000; Sca-
comet. 81. 600: Shove. GO00o: Stafford. $4,000;
Wnmpanoag, g., 1000. and Woetlmoe $4,000.
These corporations represent onc-thrd Of all
the mills in the city Seven thousand operatives
will be idle other mills Will follow their en-
ample and some that are nOminav running haN"
many idle looms The shortage in currency Is
the Immediate cause VI the shutdown. In many,
and, perhaps. in the majority Of cases, the poor
state Of trade is the greater cause ana the one
that will moro potently affect the length OF time
the mills will be idle. The weekly cloth state
ment ksuel to-day shows that goods are stu
accommodating here despite the curtailment or
production from 100000 TO 10000 pieces. Inc
sales were only Al 900 pieces, hardly the produc-
made on ruinously low basis. There is no call
for regular goods 10 speak OF. there being but
I 900 pieces sold or just enough 20 make quo
to,ion Tho stock of last week has been in
creased -. 900 pieces all 64xG4s. and the mills
are not well sold ahead For the next Few weeks
the deliveries will DO only 10000 pieces unless
unexpected snles are made during the SHUTDOWN
BY the shutting down of the mills named the
production will BE- decreased from 5O,ooo 10
20 600 pieces, and this decrease will have sNu-
tary effect
Manufacturers are not particularly worried be-
cause Of the impending idleness. Many oil theih'
and in fact nearly all of them, have surplus
earnings that csn be used in paying current eN-
penses. and will also bc drawn on TO pay quarter
ly dividends There are many of the mills that
need repairing and after the long season OF pros
perty that has closed ~ abruptly the repairs VIII
be made more willingly and extensively Some
manufacturers do Dot oApeet TO start for sin
weeks They ray Congress will not eeitle down
10 work for a mouth Ut beast and they do not
look for fall trade OF any magnitude. Ihoy are
free from entangling contracts, and III many
yar. they can better afford 70 be dhe than 70
rnn on small margin Of profit and meet the
difficulty in securing currency for payrous Other
manufacturers consider 10 a very unwisc policy 10
shut down their mills altogether whi~ theH
peighbors are running AT fulA tilt The help nook
20 the mills that are running, and 60 to othcr
mill towns, and in many cases manufactures VINO
have trained a set of skilled operatives VIII hnd
themselves with green hands when work Is re-
sumed This fnct is of more Importance III iaIt
River now than il was some few ycars ago Since
that time the character OF goods manufactured
has been varied good deal, and to-day wide
variety of cloth il turned ont by operatives VINO
have for the most part been trained by local over
sccrs In consequence Of this CONDITION some
trcasurcrs Of experience have decided 10 run al
ternate weeks and not run the risk OF losing
Borden have adopted this plan. treasurer Is
authority for the statement that reod1ustnlent
of wages will tase place before another start vs.
made Az the present time operatives arc "orh-
inc on "A boom schedule Of prices, ana on cHort II
likely 10 be- made 10 scale II down when opera
lions are resumed. This move would be salts
factory 20 the owners OF mills that are deter
mined 10 run 10 the bitter end
In an interview to-day on the situation. Secre-
tarv Howard % the Spnners Union, sal i: IN"
sbu,doNn will bc welcome 10 most OF IN" opcrh-
t;ves il il doesn't extend over four weeks. lh'y
have bcen working very steadily AMI harmOniohSN
Of late years, and great many OF them tel me
they would like to have a rest during III" w,rm
weather Quite a few Of them have been putting
money in the bank in anticipation of THIS klhd
of times . ., A., s;o,;o, ,,o+
business would he n great deal better next O''9-
her than the present outlook would lead people
20 believe.
THE TpFASI-PY SHIPPING SMALL. NOTES.