The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-11
TUESDAY. JANUARY Il. 1898.
COTTON MILLS NORTH AND SOUTH.

COTTON MILLS NORTH AND SOUTH.
No incident. perhaps, in the industrial
history Of this country has caused such
profound interest and has marked such
complete revolution as the confession
Of the cotton manufacturers Of Fan
River Mass. that they are unable. as
conditions now exist, TO compete with the
factories of the South. The Northern
newspapers have been discussing this
question in all Of its bearings ana from
what we can gather the situation is thus
summed up.
There was fine when the FAN River
factories controlled tho cotton situation,
and when there was an ovor-production
OF goods. Sc was comparatively an easy
matter 20 shut down the mills for n time
until the over-production should De con-
sumed and then the mills would start up
again. But so many new mills have been
built in the South that the Fall River
manufacturers have lost their grip and it
is said that the Sl5,OOOOoO that they have
invested i'm the cotton industry is i'm dan
ger. A. a proof of this there has been q
sharp decline i'm the price of these cotton
mill securities within The past twelve
months.
The Fail River mills are more affected
than other mills at the North. because
they manufacture the same class of goods
that are made by the Southern mills. and
no further concealment is attempted that
competition in the South is now the
cause Of the trouble which exists at Fan
River.
\ correspondents OF one OF the leading
newspapers in the North has recently
made a thorough Investigation Of affairs
at Fan River. and his report will be read
with great interest by the Southern man
ufacturers.
TO show how conditions have changed
It is enough 10 say that in 1872 the South
mad 1.532 lS2 spindles and s5,3i7 looms. Fah
River alone had 2.ls2 DO spindles. nearly
10000 more than those OF The whole South.
The South has Increased the number OF
her splndles TO more than 100000 against
an increase of about 10000 at Fan River
Moreover the business az the South is
constantly growing while that at Fan
River is undoubtedly ON the decline.
II has been claimed for years that the
South had the advantage OF the North I'm
the manufacture of cotton goods because
of its nearness 10 the cotton fields. where
the raw material is to be had in abund-
ance But the Northern people say that
this is a doubtful advantage; that the
Southern mills must pay the local freight
rates on cotton shipped to them, and
must pay for the long haul OF the manu-
featured product to New York which is
the central market. whereas the New
Englanders pay O through rate for the
raw material. which is proportionately
less than the local rate pam by he South
ern mills and mat when the product is
finished the rate from the Northern mills
10 New York is much less than the price
Of the long haul 10 the Southern mills.
With this question out of the way # is
conceded that the South also has an add
vantage in the matter OF taxes taxation
being much lower than at the North. and
In many Instances no taxes whatever are
paid. as for example IN Georgia and Ala
bama where such mills are exempt for
ten years.
Il is also conceded that the South has
an advantage in the matter Of machin-
cry. tie mills being new aud therefore
cited with the latest improved machinery
with all labor-saving attachments.
But the great advantage which the
South possesses. from the New England
standpoint, is that wages are lower and
the mills are not harassed with legisls-
ton as to the number Of hours that ope-
ratlves shall work. ana so on.
II is claimed that where the Fan River
operative works but lfiy-eight hours a
week. the Southern operative works six
ty-six hours week. and receives. accord
ing o the New England estimate. al
least Is per cent. less for his wages than
his brother workman at the North.
The advantages OF the North over the
South are summed up as follows: All
the hands in the mill are practical men
and women who have been brought ur
In the business: experience IN manufac-