The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-04-08
COTTON TROUBLES.
NEW ENGLAND'S OPPORTUNITY TO
CURE THEM.

Production of the Finer Fabrics and Not
Attempt to Compete with the South In
the Coarser Grades.
The firms engaged in manufacturing
the finer grades of cotton goods in Man.
chester formed recently combination
based upon Ghe profit earning capacity
Of each firm. The capital represented is
$50, 900, 000.. This new alliance has
been made to facilitate the extension Of
trade in their products as well as for the
better overcoming of foreign competi-
tion. Sir William Houlsworth, MEM
Der of parliament for the northwest di-
vision Of Manchester, one of the lead
ing cotton spinners of that city, has
been elected chairman of the new ALI
ance This indicates that the British
center for the production of the finest
cotton fabrics has discovered that the
time has come for mutual cooperation
in protecting and increasing their in
dustry.
= On this class of goods the Dingley
bill carries duties based OH the number
of threads to the square inch, counting
the warp and filling, Oh the weight to
the square yard of the cloth, and on the
value per square yard in excess of 10
cents. All this may be found in schedule
lot the Dingley bill, from which was
collected in 1897 an aggregate of SILL
1874, 764. "a. Large importers Of these
goods say that the greater proportion of
them are of the more costly character,
including quite a number that are not
as yet made in American mills. On all
other manufactures of cotton not spe-
cially provided for duty of 40 per
cent ad valorem is collected. All
plushes, velvets, velveteens and other
fine fabrics made of cotton, if not
bfeaohed, dyed, colored, stained, paint
ed or printed, must pay 0 cents per
square yard and % per cent ad valorem,
willie those that are bleached, dyed,
eolored, etc., must pay 10 cents per
square yard and 90 per cent ad valorem,
and cuttings from these in any form
chat make them special articles of mer-
ohandise must pay an extra 10 per cent
ad valorem, and in no case shall any Of
the articles named in this paragraph
pay less rate than Az per cent ad
yalorem.
On the other hand, chenille curtains,
table covers and all others of which cot
son chenille forms the component mate
rial of chief value must pay 90 per cent
ad valorem.
Cotton stockings, hose and half hose
made. on. knitting machines or frames
must pay 80 per cent ad valorem, while
seivaged, fashioned, narrowed, shaped
wholly or in part by knitting machines,
Including those commercially known as
seamless, if valued at not more than 81
q dozen pair, shall pay so cents dozen
and 15 per cent ad valorem; those cost
ing from 81 to 81. 30 shall pay the same
ad valorem and go cents dozen; those
costing So dozen, 70 cents; those cost
ing So, 81. 90; those costing So, So a
dozen, and all Of higher value 55 per
cent adj valorem. All these different
rates require much careful examination
at the appraisers offices to prevent any
plumbers from being made.
These figures show that the Dingley
bill has made ample provision for the
protection of American cotton manufac-
turers and has given them encourage
ment to engage in the production OF
finer goods than they have ever yet
made.
There is, therefore, no good rea-
son for any longer delaying the produc.
zion Of these finer woven and knitted
goods and in making this country indie
PENDENT of the Manchester mills, in SO
ar as our domestic markets are con-
serned, and in entering into competi-
don with them in foreign markets.
Another benefit of this wisely devised
ovtton schedule is that it gives to the
sorthern mills an opportunity to solve
the problem which the great growth OF
southern cotton weaving has given
them. It will be long time before the
puth can give its poor whites the ex-
yerience and skill needed for weaving
tine goods, while it will continue to in
crease mills of the present class until
shey meet all demands for domestic
smsumption and for export to the new
markets opening up in Africa and else.
where.
Consumption of all staple goods
must keep pace with the growing popu.
ihaion Of the world an obvious fact that
offsets the claim of overproduction, and
as civilization advances even barbarians
Discover, as did Adam, that they must
iTidae their nakedness.
One of the latest cotton mills to &C
INTO operation in the south is the Indian
Head at Cordova, Ala, built by Arthur
Amor and other cotton manufacturers
If Boston at cost of 5000, 900. 1t has 6
7sact of 600 acres that were given il
by Cordova citizens. Rich coal veins
spen at the engine room door, giving
ihem fuel for their steam engine at less
iban 40 cents ton. This mill has 25,
900 spindles and 1000 looms and will
consume 10000 bales annually. The
state has given the company exemption
from taxes for term Of years. 1t is OF
sso main line of the Southern and Kan