Middletown transcript., 1893-12-16

shirt since to make one was such COST
of feminine body and brain. But that
song is now as a tale that is told, and its
wonderful story Of "seam and gusset and
band" is only a historical reminis-
cence
Shirt making in these latter days might
well inspire poets song, for bright vision
of busy, deft and attractive workers could
scarce be found than are seen any day at
the Middletown Shirt Factory. The hum
and whir of the many machines, and the
skillful movements ofthe operatives make a
rythmic measure that please both eye and
ear. But plain prose will have to satisfy
onr readers. yet our story is none the less
interesting.
The shirt factory is one of the greatest,
certainly the greatest industr trial blessing,
that Middletown has.
In these times when mills and factories
all over the country are shutting down, our
factory is kept running on full time and
pay, giving employment to liz persons,
mostly women and girls, and by the first Of
the year will increase its capacity abont
one third, when the annexswiIl have been
completely fitted for use.
To visit this bee hive of busy workers is
pleasure indeed, and as the Superinten-
dent. Mr.. Vandyke shows you all through
the place, you must be impressed with the
worth of this industry to the town and
community.
Figures give some idea of the immensity
Of the work done; $500 yards Of goods are
daily cut and made into shirts, 100 dozen
being the average number that are made,
examined, trimmed. pressed and packed
each day
The work is beautifully systematic, the
team system being used. About ten work.
ers making team, one doing only hem
ming, another sewing in sleeves, another
putting on cuffs. and SO on, from ''seam and
gusset and band' and even the buttons
sewed on by machine. 1t is most inter-
esting process to follow the goods from the
cutters knife on to the ironers' and packers
where in neat packages they are put in
boxes and made ready for the worlds mar
ket, 5000 dozens in immense boxes being
now ready for shipment.
The most interesting of the machines are
those that have two needles, sewing two
seams and telling at the same time, these
are only used for sewing in sleeves. The
button and button-hole machines we also
very interesting.
But the most interesting of all are the
bright and happy, neat and pretty girls who
operate these machines
And no wonder they are bright and happy.
Lucrative employment is enough to put
smile on most any face, and these girls are
all earning and receiving weekly sum.
that is not only sufficient for their personal
needs, but enables them to provide COM
forts for their home folks heretofore un-
known. The girls receive from $S, $40 to |
S12 per week. The monthly payroll is |
$4,000. and during the year $4,000 is paid
directly to the employees. OF course large
proportion of this money is expended |
right here at home, and the town and |
community are to that extent, directly |
benefited.
Not only are the girls and woman at |
home here benefited, but many from neigh
boring towns. and in fact all over the
state, for among the employees are tho.e
from every county.
They are as attractive set of women as
o::e could wish to look upon, their politness |
refinement and general department proving
them to be Of the best type Of American
girls, independent, self-reliant and self
supporting.
Long may the shirt factory remain with
u.s.