The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-03
"CONE OTER md HELP U.s."
Massachusetts Manufacturers Call for

Massachusetts Manufacturers Cali Tor
"P election" Against southern lhrlit'
The Boston (Mass) Journal Of last
Wednesday has the following editorial
under the caption, Are our Mills to
Leave Us?" which viii be read with In
terest by Southern manufacturers:
The journal was the first paper to
print the news OF the proposed action OF
the Lawrence Manufacturing Company
Nothing has occurred OF late years OF 50
much interest TO manufacturers.
Tne Lawrence Manufacturing Company
has decided to go out Of the business OF
making cotton cloth. TO sell It's machinery
and 10 return 10 its stockholders One-hall
Of its capital from its casn surplus. With
the other half II Will continue TO make
hosiery. II takes this step after most
careful dellberatiOn.
This company has been one of the most
successful in New England. 1t has
nearly 10000 spindles, used Tor making
clotN. Its capital is $l50O,OO. In former
years its stock sold for about twice par
1t accumulated a surplus nearly equal 10
its capital. 1t has one of the best
known and most popular trade-markes in
the country. It's plant is in good con-
dition. and IL would seem 10 be ia a strong
position TO continue business. Its man
ayers are extremely able men-amOug
the best I'm the community. Dir. 4.
jefferson Coolidge, than whom no one
is better known in manufacturing circles,
has been a larger owner in and president
OF the company.
The deliberate judgment of such able
men as its officers is a cause for pro-
found reflection. il II the beginning Of
the end? Is it possible that Massachu-
sets industries are on the downward
path? If So what is the cause and what
the remedy?
While there has been much discussion
from time to time concerning Southern
competition in coarse goods and foreign
competition under the Wilson tarn on
fine goods, many have claimed that this
talk was only Tor campaign purposes.
The fact remains, however, that the
Massachusetts, Cotton Mills Of Lowell
have spent $4,000 for mill in Georgia.
The Dwight Mills OF Chicopee have spent
a similar sum I'm Alabama. The Whit
tier Mills OF Lowell have built a mill near
Atlanta, and three or four other mills.
like the Nashua, the Stark. etc, have
started or are considering the establish
ment Of mills in the South.
The condition is this: With our pres
ent prices for labor. and short hours. We
cannot compete win the longer hours
and cheaper labor and material of the
South. Some of our mills have changed
their machinery so as to make finer
goods. These, however have to meet
foreign competition, with its cheap labor.
The Wilson tariff has unfavoraby az
fected this kind of manufacturing.
Now. We have the fact that such able
and experienced manufacturers as those
in the Lawrence Company have decided,
after most careful deliberation, TO 90 out
Of the business, rather than 10 build a
Southern mill or 10 change their present
mill so as to make fine dress goods under
our present tariff. They do this at a
time when they can get their capital
back.
All the manufacturers I'm New England
to-day are discussing tids move. and
wondering whether their action is wise
or not.
Southern competition is unavoidable:
foreign is not. Before more of our best
mills are forced to 20 out Of business.
thereby depriving thousands OF en-
ployment, We must give our manufacture
ers adequate protection, so that they can
utilize the skill Of well-paid labor by the
manufacture Of the fine goods which
are now imported.