Birmingham age-herald., 1895-01-25
A DANGEROUS RIVAL. President Lowering of the Ark
 wright Club SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE Predicted the South as Being Capable of Competing With Eastern Manufacturers.
SEVERAL MONTHS SING

BALTIMORE, Md. Jan. 24.-Mr. William c. Lowering, president of the Arkwright club, which represents all of the large New England textile manufactures, was invited some months ago, after returning fro m visit of investigation to the south, to de- liver an address before the New England Textile club on cotton manufacturing in the south. This address, which has never before been made public, is given out to- night, and will be published in this weeks issue of the Manufacturers Record. h this address, which is very full and com prehensive study of the whole subject, MT. Lowering says:
 ssrhe time has passed when New England manufacturers need to give but little atten- ton to cotton manufacture in the south. We have come to realize that the south has entered the race in earnest and to stay. Henceforth it must be the survival Of the fittest. The old mills in the south with their antiquated machinery have been suc- ceeded by 6rst-class mills with the best equipment, and we find mills in the south 0 ay that will compare favorably with our New England mills, built in every respect to do their work in the chea pest and most appro manner.
 .While it has long been conceded that in certain lines of coarse goods the advant- ages are in favor of the south, northern manufacturers have comforted themselves with the statement that the manufacture of the finest goods would remain with them, as the south could not make such goods. In this we are mistaken. There is an actual increase in the production of finer goods in the south, and where man featuring is once firmly established it is only matter of short time when the labor employed will improve in skill and adapt itself to the finer work. There seems to be no reason why as fine yarns may not be spun in the south as in any other sec- ton of our country.
 IA mill in the south running sixty-six hours per week for fifty weeks in year runs 3300 hours. A mill in Massachusetts, limited to fifty eight honrs per week for fifty weeks in year, runs 2000 hours, 8 difference of 400 hours year or seven weeks, in favor of the southern mills. The mills of the same size, construction and equipment, one in New England and one in the south. will cost about machinery are concerned. The very low cost of building material in the south Is partly offset by the higher cost of the machinery in the expense of freight. There is large population at the south eager and working in the southern mills is as good as can be found in the whole country. They are native Americans, with but few foreigners among them. The south is in this case really more American than 
 are not halt what they are with us It has been found that southern men are more desirable and efficient as superintendents and overseers than men brought from the north, as they seem to understand and control the operatives better than northern overseers.
 "New England has, however, the ad- vantage of establishment, which may be termed the prestige of priority. The south has extreme advantages, and if we are not egisated out of it we shall show it for long time by sheer force of New England pluck and determinations.
 In summing up his investigations and seeking to draw what conclusion he can from them, MT. Lowering says: cit seems to me that the cotton manufacturers of New England are today in a critical condi- tion. The tendency is away from New England and towards the south, and any legislation that stops looms and spindles in New Eng land today for any considerable period stops many never to be started again. I do not wish to be understood as sounding any alarm, but think it is wise for us to know what the future possibilities and limitations Of cotton manufacture are in New England, ,''