The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-06
INSPECTING THE MILLS.
THE MASsA CHUsETTS COMMITTEE
SEE FOUR OTHER FACTORIES.
They Also Teke a Look At Vauoero'is
Mansion at Asbeviile-Will "isis
Georgia Next.

CHARLOTTE, n. c., April 9.-Ahe
Massachusetts, mill. committee has COM
pleted its inspection of the four largest
mills In South Carolina, and arrived In
Charlotte tonight, on its way to Column
bia. S c., and Augusta, Ga. The COM
mittee continues TO find much that is OF
interest, and freely express themselves as
pleased with the conditions that exist in
the South.
IL was the desire OF several Of the party
while in this territory to visit Ashevilie'
y. c., and the Southern Railway extend
ed a cordial invitation TO the committee
to visit that resort. The special arrived
in Ashevile at midnight, and bright and
early this morning the party
went to the Battery Park Hotel. for an
early breakfast, and on the way up caught
an impression of Asheville.
THEY SEE DILrMoRE.
From the hotel the party went on its
special train TO Blltmore, which is sup
posed to be the most magnificent residen-
tiaf estate IN existence. The millions OF
Mr.. George w. Vanderbilt's that have
already been spent In the building of this
property are manifest on every side.
There are about five hundred hands en-
ployed OH the estate at this time, and
the work on the pslatial residence is be-
ing pushed, in order that Mr.. Vanderbilt
might be able to eat his Christmas dinner
In it, The mill-men did not have over
an hour to spend at Biltmore, but In
that time, through the courtesy of Mr..
Vanderbilt's representative, they were
shown through the premises, which,
when completed will cost considerably
over 100000, the total estate, with its
hundred thousand acres of land, costing
double that. There seems TO be no
limit to the improvements proposed by
Mr.. Vanderbilt and Asheville and that
section is deriving considerable revenue
from his work.
VISITING THE MILLS.
The party made a quick trip back TO
Spartanburg, where, through the courtesy
of President Montgomery, the operations
OF the Spartan mills were shown. This
mill operates 32.l62 spindles, and 1,lOJ
looms, with $50 operatives.
The party then " ent to Clifton, whore
the Oldest OF the large South Carolina
cotton mills Is built. Fourteen years ago
Mr.. ID. T.. Converse started out with
7,00o-spindle factory, which has In the
meantime been enlarged by the addition
OF another mill TO 1900 spindles and add
cd to this the Clifton Manufacturing
Company Is at work upon an entirely new
MILL which will operate 10000 spindles.
At Glendale the ID. Il. Converse Manu-
featuring Company operates a 70oo-spin-
die factory. At all OF these mills sheet
ings, shirtings and drills are most profita-
bly, made.
MAKING A DMIGENT INQUIRY.
The mill committee, which is bent upon
gathering all the Information it can. does
not have much TO say, but It Is fulfilling
its mission in getting all of the data IT
can, and as the mill owners are prac-
teal business men. they are not taking
a one-slted vie~ o. the situation. Most or
the committee are preparing notes upon
the conditions existing In the mills they
have visited which are representative or
those I'm this section. Mr.. II. 81. Jonn,
vice-president OF the Seaboard Air Line,
and to whom Is due very much OF the
success of the undertaking, will join
the party at Columbia, where the morn
ing will be spent. President Il. &. Hon-
man will also join the party at Columbia.
Mr.. Sampson. Baltimore, who Is largely
interested IN southern mills. Joined the
party at Spartanburg to-day. Mr.. e W.
Amory. who has been with the party up
10 this time. returned TO Boston from
Asheville on account of his indisp0sltlon
Mr. Fred. Oliver, president or the onai-
lotte OH and Fertilizer Company, leit
the party at Charlotte.
Mr.. Willilm Lowering, who Is presi1e't
of the ArfxNriPht Club, and one OF the
lasgcst mill-men in the East, anu VINO
is I'm charge of the party, to-risht said
to the correspondent in reference TO the
trip.
I'VE have already visited. NILS repre-
senting several hundred thousand spin
dies. most OF them working IN the same
class OF goods-namcly. standard sheet
ing and drills AS a rule they were an
making very fair goods. and 1t Is evident
that tfey have been able TO market taem
at a profit during the last year. while
some OF the northern mills have on SINH
lar goods made but little or no proht.
We continIc TO be impressed 10y the ap-
pearance Of the operatives, who seen 10
be vigorous and earnest in the work
MIR. ID. 4. Tompkins, who is In charge oil
the party. has received requests during
the day 10 change the pro9r iElme. Tut
Il is his intention TO Rave 1t remain as
announced. unless II is the desire OF the
committee or Mr.. st. John % make fur-
tner stops
Tho committee is making diligent III
aniry TO get at the details OF the south
ern cotton mill business.