Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-25
NAMES INDUSTRIES.
The Condition Of Our Great
Sources Of Income.
Cotton, Shoes, and Ship Building
Manufactures are Booming.
Interesting Report Of Commissioner Mat
thews for the Past Year.

Inc tehth annual report for 1896, of
the state bureau of industrial and
statistics, by the commissioner,
Hon. S. w. Matthews, is ready for dis
tribution.
IL is a valuable report, and the sew
efal industries are treated in a way
thai is interesting alike to those abroad
as well as those who live in the State.
Inc statistics presented includes the
result of Investigations of twenty-five
different industries. No thorough in
VestlgatiOn of any one industry was
undertaken. but a sufficient number Of
returns were obtained in each to show
their general condition as compared
With one year age.
The report includes 242 pages, with
classified statistics compiled from the
various important industries. Special
articles are prepared on the iron ship
building, starch and tannery. Brief
descriptions are given of the stone
pottery. and the ak and scythe man.
fractures. Other features are, fac
tories and workshops erected, en-
larged and completed during the year:
a compilation from the report of the
commissioner of the United States de-
partment of labor on Strikes and
Lockouts in Maine" and a brief ar
ticle On the railroads and railroad en-
ployes of the State.
The report says in part:
AT the national convention of Off
Gals of bureaus of labor statistics
in the United States, held at Albany.
n. Y, in June last, acting on a recon-
mendation of the executive committee,
the question of investigating the mu-
njcipal ownership of water, gas, and
electric light plants; this investiga-
ton no to be considered for or against
municipal ownership, but for the pur-
pose of asc%ertaining all facts bearing
upon this question:" was considered
and discussed at considerable length.
Several prominent gentlemen deliv-
cred addresses or presented papers
imparting much practical information
upon the question. Copious extracts
from these papers and addresses are
published in this report, which de-
serve public attention and consider
alton.
For good and sufficient reasons"
however, the proposed investigation
has been postponed to a future time.
When made, it is expected thai the
TTpjfal Stotac 1npa rtp y, opf will an-o,.
crate with the State bureaus.
The wooden industry is still in an
unsatisfactory condition. Eight mills
show a fall off in production of nearly
Is per cent. Twelve mills show a fall
off in wages paid of $22, 546 and a short
ening of average running time of one
week and two days from last year.
The working force has decreased but
the rate of wages has not materially
changed.
The cotton industry shows a health
Ter condition. Six mills with an out
put of 1904, 494 for the year ending
June so, 1895, show an increase in pro-
duct of about 5A per cent. There has
been a slight fall off in the number of
hands employed. but the rate of wages
has ranged about ? per cent higher
than in 1895.
The six establishments reported,
where agricultural implements and
tools are manufactured, show a fall off
of about 5 per cent in the output, also
a decrease in time run and number of
hands employed, though the old rate
of wages has been maintained.
Seven bakeries reported, in several
of which confectionery is also man.
ufactured. An increase of ~ per cent
in output is shown. a small addition
to the number of hands employed and
amount of wages paid, but the rate of
wages remains the same.
Two blank book manufacturers made
returns, but the business remains sub
stantially the same as n year ago.
No change is noted either in running
time, hands employed or rate of wages,
and but d very slight decrease in pro-
duct and amount of wages paid.
In the manufacture of blocks and
pumps, although no change has been
made in rate of wages, the output has
decreased over is per cent and the
amount paid out in wages in nearly
the same ratio.
In boiler making, but slight change
is noted. Though there was a small
decrease in number of hands employed,
the product remains substantially as
in 1895.
Eleven shoe factories with an output
of 50. 299, 66S in 1895, show an increase
of $51, 962 or a little over 2A per cent.
An increase of three days in average
running time is noted, and about l
per ZEN in working force. The rate OF
wages shows a change of a small frac-
ton of / per cent increasing the wages
of men / per ent per week n de-
creasing that of women 4 cents a week.
! Box making, shows a decrease all
along the line except that the old rate
| of mems wages is maintained.
Returns from three brick yards have
been received. The output, which in
1885 was ISL, 49O, shows an increase of
2h per cent. The oN rate Of wages is
maintained but a Slight decrease in
running time and working force re-
duces the total amount paid in wages.
Four carriage manufactures with an
o,,tp,t of S65. 900 in 1895. show an in