The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-06
WOOLLEN MILLS BUSY.
Rhode Inlnnd Concerns That Have Felt tn
Bencnt or the New Tariff.

Rhode Inlnnd Concerna That Have Felt tho
Bencnt or the New TariH.
PROVIDENCE, Feb. 5.-Despite talk to the con-
trary. the mill business of New England is not
going to the dogs. To be sure the cotton mills
are not bringing to their owners the % and 80
per cent. dividends received in the early days of
the industry. when New Englanders turned
from the trade in molasses, rum, and other
things to manufacturing. While the cotton
business may be In a bad way in some sections,
there will yet be a way out OF the trouble. For
years money has been easily made in the cotton
business. and the men behind the industry. now
that they are pushed to make both ends meet.
can be depended on to find a way out.
The new tariff in no way affects the cotton
business. but 1t does affect the woollen business.
and as q result the woollen mills throughout
New England are humminG. The operatives in
many Of them have been working at an advance
in wages since Jan. l, and the only trouble in .
woollen mill in this section has been where the
operatives have struck for more pay than they
received last year and the year before. Further
more. in this instance 1t is not really the desire
for more pay that is causing the trouble. but
the employees want less WORK for the same pay.
factories were either shut up tight or running
on short time every loom 10 running at top
In the big mill city of woonsocket, for in.
stance, tho Industrial situation seems brighter
than II has been in months: At the first Of tho
wages of the woollen mill operatives, and now
the United States Rubber Company will utilize
in the manufacture OF knit boots. &c. q large
portion OF the Woonsocket Rubber Company's
old plant, which has been idle for several years.
Robert Exdry of Lakewood 10 contemplating
%9fscturo of ine worsted yarns. and the
Information has just been given out that the
River Spinning Company, which Owns a big
plant here, will soon build an addition larger
than the present mill. The boom In the woolIen
business has caused a number OF persons In this
section to consider the ad visibility OF leasing or
purchasing the Harris Privilege woollen mill.
the machinery of which can be started in the
active manufacture OF woollen goods at a mo-
ment's notice. Something may be done with
this mill this year. Tho old stone mill and
the American Worsted Company. which made
woollen yarns. is now being considered among
other locations for the establishment OF a
new woollen mill. The United States Rubber
Company's big rubber boot mill at Millville is
increasing its output, turning out upward OF
1000 pairs a day. and. in common with other
booked to keep 1t running for months.
The starting up of the long idle woollen mills
at Waterford by Charles ii. Fletcher will be OF
benefit TO Woonsocket and Blackstone. Tho
deeds OF this property have been passed, and
the plant will be put in operation without delay.
In.Olney vile. one OF the largest centres OF the
woollen industry In this country. the mills are
all running full hours and with all the EN-.
pioyeos they can handle. 1t is generally under.
stood that they are well supplied with orders.
Taken all in all, therefore,. this section Is in n
pretty fair way so far as business affected by
the tariff is concerned.