La Junta tribune., 1898-01-08
INCREASE IN WAGES.
REDUCTIONS IN COTTON MILLS
IN NEW ENGLAND.
The Latter Due to Composition In the
South. but In All Oth~r branches
Wages Have Increased Since the
Massage OF the Dlnglcy Law.
lWash,ngton LetterA

The Democratic effort to make capt
tai against the Dingley tariff law out
of the announcement of reduction IN
wages at the cotton mills of New
England is not justified by the facis
brought to the surface here through
inquiry among members OF congress
representing the manufacturing sec
lions, both in the north and south.
There are now two distinct cotton
manufacturing districts. that OF New
England, where the industry has been
In existence for many years and that
Of the south where mills have been es-
tablished within the past few years
and have made very rapid gains upon
their New England rivals by reason of
| the advantages which the south offers
to this especial line of manufacturing.
Members from the south say frankly
that there can be no doubt OF
| the practicability of making
cotton goods more cheaply in
that section than they can
he made in New England and that they
| are not surprised that New England
| manufacturers have found 1t necessary
| to make reduction in wages in order
| to compete with the prices which
southern manufacturers are able to
| make. The southern manufacturer ;ets
| larger number of hours for a Gay
wcrk than Is permitted by law in New
England, pays less for the days work.
gets cheaper fuel, is exempted from
| taxation for long terms OF years in
| many cases, where special inducements
have been offered to bring about the
establishment OF factories. has the cot
ton at his door, having to pay no
| transportation charges between The
place Of production and the place of
manufacture. The fact that many New
England manufacturers have trans
ported their establishments to the
south. Is pointed cut by members of
congress. both from the south as we'll
as those from New England as an ad-
ditional evidence of the advantages
| which the south has over New Eng
land and the ability OF the manufac-
turers of that section to force those of
New England to lower rates and as a
result. lower wages.
The disposition among certain op-
ponents of the Dingley law to make
political capital out Of the reduction OF
wages In a single industry has led to
an Investigation by parties especially
| interested In the subject OF the condi-
tion OF the manufacturing industries
OF the United States since the Dlngley
law went into operation and especially
| tea. 49, ,stp x,,htn 4
the reduction of wages of cotton en-
ployes in New England has been de-
cided upon. The net result OF :his
| investigation will be placed before con-
| gress shortly and Will present some in
| teresting facts both as to the improved
| conditions in manufacturing circles.
the increase In wages and the contrast
which existed in the corresponding
1 period in the free trade administration
which preceded that of President Nc
Kiniey.
Among the fact brought to the sur
face by this statement which will be
presented in congress will be figures
showing that cotton manufacturers in
the south obtain their labor at about
| one-third less than those of New Eng
land, that they are exempted from tax
alton in many cases. that their fuel Is
much less expensive. that the sites for
their factories are in many cases do
mated to them and accompanied in
other cases by additional advantages
ard that the hours Of labor which are
recognized as days work are nearly
| rs per cent more than those permitted
| by law in New England.
Another interesting feature OF this
statement Is presentation. of some
facts showing that while this single
cotton industry in single section has
been forced to a reduction in wages,
| the manufacturers In nearly all other