Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-02-21

Maine. AMI after graduating he began to
look about for business. He wanted to
locate in Maine, and to engage in Il bust
uess in which there would not be much
likelihood of excessive competition for
many years TO come. Hence in 1874 two
wears after his graduation, Mr.. Haskell be
gan operations in the month of July. in a
mail building in Saecarappas employing six
hands, but the first silk was not
wound till September of that year.
From 1874 to 1878, the product of
the mill consisted solely of spool silk, but
in 1878, was commenced the manufacture
of train (flling) and organzine, warp
which was continued. until 1881. Since
1881. this establishment has been manufac-
turing a constantly improved product in
woven goods. During 1891, 200 miles of
product, over $50, 900 yards, was promptly
sold direct to the trade in New York state
Chicago, St. Louis and other western cities
The stock is imported from Italy and Japan,
with an occasional invoice from China, all
of which comes in the cocoons wrapped in
skins.
Very few mills handle the product
through all of the various processes of reel
ing from cocoon, doubling and twisting into
thrown silk" but the Haskell Company
10 this, and also warp, beam.s weave. dye
in all shades and finish the go DDS under the
same roof. Several of these processes form
separate industries in many places, and
from the reception of the stock in bale to
the finished product requires a period of
three months. The plant of the Haskell
Company has been enlarged several times
during the past twenty years, and now en-
braces the four large buildings shown in
the handsome plate of the Lakeside Press
Company which appears in Mr.. Matthews
report.
The operatives in these factories are
German, Danes and French Canadians, all
of whom are good, steady people. Mr..
Matthews says: when the mill was Wis
tied in August there were sixty men and
boys and eighty-six women and girls.
Eleven boys and six girls were under six
teen years of age. In March and October
the work is increased, and in fall, winter
and early spring the crew sometimes reaches
200 in number, of which one-half are
females. OF these, forty females average
Sl.s7 per day AMI sixty average sl.0o.
Learners get fifty cents per day for two
weeks, and thcn are rapidly raised
10 full pay. The highest price paid
per piec" is eighteen cents per yard, and
The lowest seven cents. Largest days work
i. twenty-five yards, AMI smallest twelve
yards. All weavers must be of steady habit
and careful workers, and the loom fixers
and boss dyers are men of skill and long
experience"
The mills of the Haskell Company are
models in every respect AMI among the best
in the State. They are well ventilated
provided with fire escapes, and much of
the machinery is iron covered thus lessen
ing the liability of accidents. The com
pany has an honorable business record and
much of its high success is due to the care
full management and sterling business in
tegrity of its founder, Mr.. Edwin j. Has
kell
Incidentally, Mr.. Matthews gives some
very interesting statistics in his report
regarding the silk manufacture of
the country and its great increase
during the past ten or dozen years. Mr.
Matthews SAYS The value of the net or
finished production of silk goods manu-
featured during the census year 1890 was
500 .l54, 500, against s34, 5I9,1 for the
census year 1880, an increase of s34 ,G34.
SIC, or 100 -33 per cent. The general facts
attending the various items of increase are
shown in the following comparative state
ment: Number of establishments reported
-ls90. 472; 1880, 3s2; percentage of in
crease, 1856. Capital invested ta) 1890,
s5l ,0o7 537; 1850, sl9, l25 300; percentage
of increase, 1861 10. Number of hands EN-
ployed. 1890, 50,9ls; 1880, 81 ,337; per-
centage of Increase, 62.47; amount of
wages pail 1890, $40 ESQ., BIS;
1880, 3,l46,1o5; percentage If
increase, 1916. Miscellaneous ex-
penses. 1890, 1886 1882. Cost of ma
erials used. ls90, s50,9I9 ,Ol6; 1850. 500
467,70i; percentage of increase, I2G SO.
Value of product, 1890, Ss7 POS, 1874; 1880,
Sal .033 ,o4i; percentage of increase, ll2, :
IS. Number of spiniIes, 1890, 1854, 7os:
1880, jos.l3 percentage of increase
1864. Number of looms, 1890, % 500;
1880. sisi; percentage of increase, 1866,
80.