The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-05
enforced.

enforced.
The Commissioner does not think
there is necessity for a law to compel
questions to be answered. as all mill
owners, except two or three. answer
when waited on by agents. 1t is al
most impossible, says Mr.. Lacy, TO
get blanks answered through the mails.
With few exceptions, it is stated that
the tobacco men do not answer ques-
tons, though there are notable ex-
ceptions. Only per cent answer the
questions He thinks a law COMPEL
ing the men who have not answered
TO furnish the desired information,
viii come if they persist in refusing.
COTTON MILL FIGURES.
Mr.. Womble, who gathered the cot
ton mill statistics, especially compli-
ments three mills: the Virginia 1T
Swepsonyilie, the 0dell mills at Con-
cord, and Cleveland mills Nos. ! and 2
at Iawnyiew. They try in every way
to elevate the condition Of the employ
ees.
The result Of the canvass of the
State in the cotton and WOODEN mill
industry is given as follows;
Cotton mills 1856; II in course of con-
struction; looms, PASS; spindles, 1885,
45s: persons employed, 1852 of these
4,sSs are men, 6,157 women, and 1853
children; capital employed about
SIS ,00O,O00, or $685. to each ope1 =
tive; cotton consumed, I23,65s,775
pounds or 309,147 bales weighing 400
pounds each.
Average wages paid per day, are
$685.; engineers, s1.6IH; firemen,
sgla; skilled men, s1.10; unskilled, 10;
skilled women. 65; unskilled, so; child
rem, 30. The average number of days
worked in year, 2s6H. Wages are
paid in majority of mills weekly.
Only a few mills favor State inspec-
ton. At only two mills are there Ii
braries. The per cent of adults who
can read and write are 95; children rs.
Mr.. Womble states, that while the
majority of mills have been making
big money TINS year, the wages OF
the operatives have remained practi-
cally the same, and OF the many that
cut wages during the so-cailed finan-
cial depression, only few have raised
them to the STANDARD before the re-
duction was made"
we quote thefoliowing which is the
close Of Mr.. Womble's report:
las have before stated, the major
ity of our mills are managed well, and
nave at their heads, honest, conscienti-
Gus, christian gentlemen, who nave
done much and are still exerting their
every effort to better the condition OF
their help, both morally, financially
and exceptionally. These mills are
an honor and credit TO the State. A
mong those most prominent in this
respect / will mention the Odeli Manu-
featuring Company, Concord, n. O., OF
which Capt. .. Nj. Odell is President.
Capt Odell is Christian gentleman
in the tr,Iest sense of the word. a lew
years ago when objections were rals-
ed to his employees attending an up
town church, of which he was mem
Der, he withdrew from that church,
built church exclusively for his oper-
atives, became its chief supporter, and
a Iaborer and teacher therein. Inc
example of this great and good man
might be followed by many another
mill man with credit to himself ana
| inestimable benefit to his operatives.
Another model mill man IS MAYOR
| John Schenck. Treasurer an General
| Supervisor of Cleveland Mills No. and
2, I.awnyiew, Cleveland county. At
| the office of this mill is library com
| prising some 300 or more volumes, ali
| of which are standard works, by our
| best and well known authors. a young
| woman in this mill was pointed out TO
| me that had read every book the libra
| ry contained. The Major is as proud
| of his operatives, and takes as much IN
1 terest in their welfare as though they
| were really and truly his own nesh
| and blood. lie prides himself on hay
ing the most intelligent class OF labor
| in the State. He has provided schools
| for his operatives and the children are
| made to attend. I ne result is, he has