The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-05-28
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WHY TIE HUSlN EHS CtSSs EN- SOUTH
S Three cotton mill experts from New,
England have been Investigating the
cotton spinning business In the South,
and the reports OF each show no differ
ence Of opinion as to the reason the
business is leaving New England for the
Southern country. President sanford's,
of the Sanford Spinning company. is
perhaps the more interesting Of the
three. because Of the eminently fair
manner in Which he treats the subject.
He says that, while the Northern
manufacturer has been arguing and
specializing as to what his Southern
competitor would be able to accomplish,
and while many peopls felt no fear of
any danger that the South would be
able to compete, much to my astonish-
ment find, from personal inspection
during the last ten days among some Of
the mills Of the South, that they have
successfully solved the problem Of cot
ton manufacturing. and are now maxi
Ing, and have been making for some
time. Fabrics and yarns equal to our
New England mills, anu for less cost.
They are selling them to our Gus
toners. supplanting our productions to
an alarming extent, and from figures OBJ
tanned Of cost of same, find that they
are enabled, in their finely equipped and
Well organized mills, by good and
cheaper labor, to make profit, even on
present depressed market prices, while
our own New England mills cannot
manufacture without loss.
while this is hard fact to face,
nevertheless the condition confronts as.
and is no longer theory. or speculation,
but fact"
IN certain fabrics and yarns. such as
are made in Fall River, New Bedford,
Lowell and in New England generally,
embracing 40's, Mr.. Sanford SAYS the
Southern millers are masters OF the sit
nation. and claim they will soon make
fabrics for sos and COS yarn
There has been n great deal said
during the last five years." said he.
about the inefTiciency Of the Southern
operative, that he is not able 10 do as
much work and as we'll as his Northern
competitors. I find the operatives are
Sood native American whites. They
very quickly adapt themselves to the
work. are eagar to learn, happy, con-
tented, with no tendency to strike or to
Join labor organizations. They want
work. are industrious, and are proud Of
the mills they work in.
Wood Is used largely; two cords OF
wood. against one ton Of coal, costing
cor
OF $3.50 per ton Of coal. Coal also can
be had cheap, costing, according to To-
cation $1.50 to $3.50 per ton Some mills
located on fine water powers are making
great saving. Alabama eXempts from
taxation for ten years all corpora lions
locating within her borders
In North Carolina, South Carolina
and Georgia taxes arc very low One
mill which visited, having $500 in
aunum. Such mill in Fall River will
pay $4,000 tax. All the large mills are
paying almost no tax to speak Of
1T Is very clear" declares
President Sanford that we cannot
stand in Massachusetts any more ad-
verse legislation against our industries.
! for the Southern mills can make divi-
dends. while their Northern competitors
arc selling goods al cost. And, in proof
| OF this. many Of the Southern corpora
tons have been paying steady and con
tfnuous dividends during the hard times
| OF the last twelve months"
In fact, these experts have found that
the South is succeeding in the cotton
spinning business because it has every
advantage over New England in the per-
secution OF the work. We arc nearer the
| cotton field; labor is cheaper and more
/ reliable; fuel can be had a lower figures
than in New England, and that there is
| an unparellel difference in the taxes
| All these points are in our favor and
are telling. 1t need not create any sur
prise if in time the whole Of the New
England cotton spinning industry IS
| moved down this way