Birmingham age-herald., 1895-04-05

Il :30 tonight. Everything so far has run smoothly and pleasantly. The committee today visited three of the largest mills in this state, and for that matter in the south. Pelzer mills. at Pelzer, s. C., were first inspected and every courtesy extended through President E. A. Smythe. Pelz.r, when the third mill is completed, will have no, ,000 spindies, making the largest mill in the south.
 The Massachusetts committee were par ticularly struck with Captain Smytne's plan of transmitting the electric power to his new mill by circuit about two miles long.
 The Edmont mills, one of the largest and best in the country, operating 50, 900 spin- dies, was next visited and President James l.. Orr gave the committee every possible facility.
 From Piedmont the committee went via Spartauburg to tue Pacolet mills. At PacoIet Captain Montgomery has 6 splendid plant, and took great pleasure in showing everything. His mills at PacoIet run 52,- 924 spindles and 1916 looms.
 The committeeman do not have very much time, but are making a close, thor ough and busine like examination. They are taking careful notes of what they see and hear, as well as of the data which is cheerfully given them by mill men.
 Talking of the visit, Of what he has al- ready seen in this state and North Caro- Ina, Mr. lowering, who is chairman of
 
 correspondent that the committee was very much pleased with the attention that had been shown them and were hlttered with the number of invitations that had been received from enterprising southern towns. This, he said, impressed the committee with the business spirit manifested in the south.
 The committeeman, he said, had visited number of very fine cotton mills, some that would compare most favorably with IIz. 4l,n the committee was also impressed with the earnestness with which the entire people were working up the subject of cotton spinning in the south. He said that he found the wages here to be less than they were in the east, and he admitted his sur prise at the good appearances of the strk- ing character of the people employed in the cotton mills. The people employed, he went on to say, seemed to him to have a very wholesome and respectable appear ance and work with activity and diligence.
 MT. Tompkins during the day received a telegram from Knoxville, advising him if agreeable that MT. J. W. Heale. president of the chamber of commerce of Knoxville, would join the party. He was extended a cordial invitation to join the committee. During the day MT. Howe had to leave the party on account of the death of a friend.
 The committee has already visited and examined all of the cotton mills here, to- gether with those at Heurietta, PeiZer, Piedmont and the water power at High Shoals.
 Other mills will be taken in as the trip progresses. Of course it is entirely problem atical as to what will result of this visit of active aud awake mill men, but 1t is safe to say that the New England mill interests have realized the importance ofthe southern industry, and after a careful investigation some of their capital will be allowed to come south and join that which Is already making considerable money in the mills of the south.