The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-01-02

SO that there has been no real depression
except in the case of some few special
| linesgot manufactnringthat have suffered
| from outside causes like the instances
already noted, in the lumber business,
| the practical failure of the fisheries, the
low rates of freights, the limited amount
of shipbuilding, and a few other lines
+ that haveFfelt temporary depression.
"The great canning ana packing inter-
ests of the State have prospered. Large
stocks have been secured, and the quality
| is excellent At present there is hardly
a,quick demand howesss. owing to de-
preston in business Elsewhere, and in
some instances to large stocks held in
other states.
"The pulp and paper business of Maine
has been very prosperous The mum Der
of manufactures has increased, and
there has been dmand nearly equal
to the output, and at very good prices
DO til in this country and in Europe.
Large foreign shipmeI ts1have been made.
THE starch factories of Aroostook
county have increased their facilities.
and are turning out more starch than
any other sectionof New England, and
the demand for the product Of this fast
becoming important industry has been
good, at satisfactory prices.
1.-The interest taken through the State
1.-THE starting OF many new small in
dustries, has had most .salutary effect
on the general business Of Maine. ~ any
special lines of manufacture have been
developed, not only of standard articles,
but of small wares and novelties in great
variety. OF this. Portland is a good ex-
ample.
"The business Of the slate and granite
quarries increased during the year, and
new quarries were opened in some in
stances Move men have been employed
in this branch of industry, and orders
have been filled not only from all sections
of the Atlantic States, but from Western
points. And t. ere is still steady and
growing demand for Maine slate ana
granite.
1.-THE Maine cotton factories which gem
orally suspended owing to over produc-
ton and other causes, are starting up,
though perhaps on smaller margins than
Before. TO some degree off set by the gen.
eral reduction inswages in this branch
OF industry. All the factory owners of
the State are disposed to give their
operators all they can, and to submit to
them the details of production, and
there has been disposition on the part
OF the operatives to accept the reduction
the manufacturers have found it neces-
sary to make. That there has been no
strike in Maine is matter of congratu
lation.
"Of the transportation lines the great
railroad dominating the State in that
sense, very wisely made such reduction
of expense as to enable the managers to
show a very gratifying Improvement
both in the increase of traffic, aud lin
receipts, and there has also been an In
crease in the number Of railroads, the
Bangor & Aro0stook and the Quebec &
Wiscasset. The steamship lines along the
coast, to the maritime provinces and to
Boston and New York, have seen steady
increase in their business, and are now
arranging for. larger and more powerful
steamers on all the lines, with the pros
pect that one or more freight coast line
steamers will be built. These lines of
stes ers, az we'll as the railroads OF the
State, are equipped with all Emodern I'M
provements up to date, tand are favorably
spoken of by all travellers.
Almost all the business men OF Maine
feel encouraged to hope for aEIarge and
prosperous business the coming season.
Stores and warehouses are being..enlarged
and improved, and new ones erected.
The erection of many new blocks and
buildings. new summer hoJeIs and i'm
provements made on old ones, is the
rule all over the State. Maine may be
regarded as having prosperous outlook
for future advancement t."