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

not single man, woman or child in his
mill but that can read and write, and
many Of them, owing to his efforts, are
fairly well educated.
1.-THE Virginia Cotton Mill at Sweep
sonville, Alamance county, is another
well managed mill, and has at it's head
as Superintendent and General Mana
ger Capt. Z. NJ. Cook. Capt. Cook is a
model mill man to say the least
AGRICULTURAL LABOR.
Treating of agricultural statistics.
it is stated that the wages OF the Ia
borer fluctuate with the prices of
farm products. In 1893 the average
price of labor was. $3.50 for men, $3.50
for women and $500 for children IN
1894 there was decrease and IN 1895
still more. Men average S8.75; women
1866, and children $40 last year. As
offsetting these low cash wages the
contrast of the cost of living in town
and country is given, farm laborers
not having TO pay anything for rent.
wood, and having opportunity T. raise
truck, pigs, and poulty, virtually with
out cost.
The average cost of a bale Of cotton
from the time the ground is broken
until it is bagged is estimated to be
$3.50, through the entire State. 1t
costs So cents to raise cotton in this
State
REPORTS OF LABORING MEN.
The Commissioner OF Labor says
that the laboring men are becoming
more and more impressed that the
Labor Bureau is their friend, and that
it was instituted for the uplifting and
advancement of the masses. The aver
age number of hours in days work
is ten, though there are some eXcep-
tions. Complete tables giving the
wages, hour of labor educational and
moral condition of the laborers in all
the trades is given.
TOBACCO FACTORIES.
These reports are scant and the in
formation not as full and accurate as
could be desired, and no summary is
given. \ number of interesting let
ters are published. from the Black
wells Durham Tobacco Co, i.aNton
Bros, w. w. Wood, and w. r. Doss.
MISCELLANEOUS.
There follow tables of facts in fig
ures in reference to the industries
not specially classified. such as make
buggies, Wagons, brick, leather. ice,
lumber, flour, doors, sash iron,
pants. furniture. etc.
RAILROADS.
\ chapter is devoted TO railroads.
The employees in railroad manage
ment and operation for 1895 are given
at 9,439; 1894, 9,0S6; 1893, 1900. The
two systems that made the ten per
cent reduction in 1893. have not gone
back 10 the old scale of wages, but an
opinion is expressed that if they CON
tinue to prosper, the old scale will
come in vogue again.
ORGANIZED LABOR.
Under this head there are letters
from the representative heads of the
principal organizations. They are
full of practical interest and value,
Well written and instructive.
THE FISH INDUSTRY.
Ten thousand men are reported em-
ploved in this industry They work
in IS counties; money invested.
1929. 0ss Appended 10 the tables is
% ftht1t liOtH III. ~ -. "a iRtidlt, tllt
prince of fishermen, TO which we shall
refer again
The reports closes by giving a list
of newspapers in North Carolina. and
the composition Of the various State
Labor Bureaus, and the national or
ganization of Labor Bureaus. of which
Hon. Corroll ID. Wright is President,
ard MIR. y. r. Lacy, First Vice Presi-
dent.
The report is as full of encourage
ing and instructive facts as an egg is
Of meat Mr.. Lacy is entitled to the
warmest commentator for the work
he has accomplished as Labor Commits
sioner as evidenced in this volume in
other ways. He very generously gives
most credit TO his chief clerk, Mr.
Logan Terrell, for his excellence of
the reports.
MIR. TERRELL RETIRES.
II was announced yesterday that
Mr.. Terrell had resigned as chief clerk
and that Mr. W. f.. Faison had been
appointed TO succeed him. Mr. Faison
is a practical and intelligent printer
of this city, and has been member of
the printing firm of Smith, Faison &
Co, who publish the Lodge Weekly.
He will devote his entire time to the
work Of the bureau. He is a young
man OF capacity and popularity
THEIR ANNUAL BANQUET.