Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-07-31
MAINE GOSSIP.

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MAINE GOSSIP.
Hottest since 70. Well, that doesn't
relieve the feelings.
Prawda, the Yarmouth murderer, was
found one day last week to have nearly
sawed off bar to his cell and small rip
saw was found in his bed. Prawda is a
desperate character and the Cumberland
sheriff will be pleased when the prisoner
goes to Thomaston. He will be long
time fling before he escapes from there.
Those who are inclined to question the
statistics compiled and announced by Hon.
S. W. Matthews concerning the cotton and
wooden mills of the State should be remind
ed that the returns were from manufactur-
ers themselves, so no political capital
can be made of denying the truth except
among those uniformed. Mr.. Matthews
has also been collecting statistics concern
ing other industries. He has received re-
turns from ten spool mills and these returns
show that the output has been reduced fully
30 per cent. Four of the mills, employing
fully one-half the working force, were shut
down or practically suspended for periods
varying from five to eleven months prior to
January, 1854, which alone must have cur
tailed the output of spools fully rs per
cent. for that year. The cut in wages is
small, amounting to about one per cent. on
full capacity, which considered in connec-
ton with the reduction in time and working
force, would show fall off Of SO per cent.
in the gross earnings of spool mill hands.
What one of the spool manufacturers has
to say on the subject is anything but a
sweet morsel for the free trader and those
who would support Congress. He says
concerning the prospect of returning to full
capacity:
"That depends entirely on tariff legisla-
ton. If the duties on thread should be re-
duced to point sufficiently low to enable
foreign manufacturers of thread to sell
their goods in this country freely the bust
ness of spool making in this country could
not be carried on to any great extent. The
making of thread spools in this country was
started by the tariff of 1861 which caused
the immense thread mills of l. & P. Coats,
George A. Clark and John Clark, Jr.,
manufacturers of spool. cotton, to
be established in this country as
it was gain to them to manu-.
they would have been obliged to pay had
they continued to supply their trade here
from their mills in Scotland. The manu-
facture of linen thread and sewing silk has
also been established in this country by
European manufacturers for the same rea
son. The result of this has been to make
the manufacture of spools an immense
business here in Maine; conse quently has
enabled the owners of what was formerly
considered a worthless timber (white birch
to sell at good price, so that an immense
amount of money has been put 10 circula-
ton in the State through this means"
It's unpleasant to refer to these facts. bu
they are thrust upon public attention and
the national lawmakers persist in ignoring
them and continue their disastrous work
Mr.. Matthews has received returns from
the Maine iron working industry, that are
depressing but are educating as well
The "a shops (foundries and machine
shops) making returns show 20l2 to be {
full working force. We find but 1862 nov
at work, or reduction of ll5O, equal to 81
per cent. of full working crews. The re
duction in time amounts to 10 per cent. OF
present working force, equivalent to fou
per cent. on full crews, SO that the produc
ing capacity has been reduced 81 per cent
The cut in wages, ranging from II
to 20 per cent, affects $40 of tn,
SG2 men now working, and amount
to Z "a per cent. cut on tn,
present force, or to 3 per cent. on basis o
full crews, making total falling off in thu
earnings of this class of workmen of G!
per cent. Ne branch of foundry or ma
chine work is exempt from the effect o
the general depression. Four small cor
Germs, only, with a capacity of sc hands
are working full crews. One very small
shop, running on ship works, is shut down
while the other 10 are working with greatl
reduced crews, the larger shops generall
showing the greatest reductions.
Last weeks so called prize fight nea
Portland has whetted the appetites Of the 10
cal toughs. They are hankering for anothe
seance at gougng eyes and biting noses
Some people are child-like enough to won
der why the principals in the disgracefu
affair were not punished.
The larger part of Biddeford's cotton
are shipped to China and Japan but wa
has no terrors for the manufacturers. The
/ think the war will tend to increase the de
mand for their goods.
In several of the Maine cities bushes
; and professional men are coming more an
more to the use of lock boxes and privat
carriers. 1t saves time.
Eastport has been Dragging all summe
about an equable temperature, but it migt
as we'll blush and retire. Calais has arrar
ged to have living whist begin with dos
days!
The happy crowd at the Fryeburg Chau
tauqua Assembly is already assured ths
this will be one of the most delightful sea
sons ever enjoyed there.
II FOR A DRINK IN FEvERs.
Use Horsf0rd's Acid Phosphate.
/ DR. C. TT g DAVIS Mcridau Conn savs