The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-25
INC, Mil FoIIor the Min.-

They VIII Follow the Mills.
The Boston Herald does not think there
is much probability that the cotton manu-
factursrs Of New England viii move their
factory plants 10 the south. one Of its
reasons for this opinion is that the south
has but a scant supply of the kind OF
labor that is required in cotton manufac-
turing. In an editorial article discussing
the question OF cotton manufacturing in
the south &c says: Our own opinion is
that while under certain conditions the
manufacture OF cotton fabrics can be
carried on to advantage in the southern
state. there is a limit to this production.
caused by the relative sparseness OF the
population. In order to supply the mills
In New England IL has been found neces-
sary to practically import scores OF thou
sands Of people from Europe and from
Canada. In the south the negroes have
not been employed in this work. and 1t is
questionable if they can be. The opera
tives are made up Of the poor white class.
which is essentially a farming population.
A certain number OF these can be obtained;
would be possible out Of this class TO form
even a single manufacturing center such
as New Bedford Lawrence or Lowell. to
say nothing of FAN River; while just as
soon as operatives go south from Europe,
Canada or the northern states they will
insist upon conditions Of work. so far
as hours and pay are concerned, similar
to those that obtain here"
There is a great deal more white labor
in the south that would seek employment
in cotton factories than there is generally
supposed to be. The factories that have
been established in North Carolina. South
Carolina. Georgia and Alabama are well
supplied with white labor There has as
yet been no difficulty in getting all the
white labor needed, and there would not
likely be any for long time even If the
movement of New England mills to the
south should be as great as many now
think IL will be- In this state, for instance,
there are thousands of young men and
women who would seek employment in
cotton factories If the opportunity for
them to do so should present itself And
they make excellent operatives. 1t takes
time, Of course, to train them into skilled
operatives. but they are quick to learn
and are very loyal to the interests of
their employers.
If there should be a general movement
Of the manufactures of New England to
the south the operatives would follow the
mills. They would have to do so. be-
cause there would not be sufficient en-
ployment for them in New England. But
If the northern operatives should come
south they would, says the Herald. de-
mand the same hours of labor and the
same wages they insisted upon in the
north. and therefore cotton could not be
manufactured in the south any more
cheaply than in the north. But is this
conclusion a correct one? We do think 1t
is No doubt the operatives would have
their organizations. and they would de-
mand certain concessions from the mills.
but. as a matter of fact, the cost of
living Is much cheaper in the south than
In the north, owing to the mildness of the
climate, and the less cost of many arti-
Giles Of food This fact would be taken into
consideration by the operatives and they
would be willing to work for less wages
in the south than in the north A small
reduction in wages, together with the less
cost of the caid material. would make
very great difference in the cost of
manufacturing in favor of the south.