The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1898-05-26
Mill Labor In the South.
Washington Post.

Mr.. j. ". Hamrick, the efficient
head OF the Labor Bureau of North
Carolina, has recently published the
results Of An investigation OF the
conditions Of labor in the South. II
will be remembered that, just before
the thoughts Of the people we're turn
ed from their usual channels by the
near approach of the war now on,
much attention was given to the
question Of labor in the cotton fac
tories OF New England and the South
ern States. The cotton interests Of
Massachusetts, secured the introduc
ton in Congress OF a constitutional
amendment intended TO take control
of the hours and conditions of labor
from the States and place it in the
hands of the nation. The same in.
terest attacked the labor laws Of
Massachusetts, in the Legislature of
that State. When the war is over
this con tiict will be renewed with in
creased vigor, for the New England
manufacturers will not yield to man
fest destiny without q hard strug-
gle to avert its disastrous consequen-
ces.
Mr.. Hamryck's official report of
the condition of labor in the cotton
mills Of North Carolina is by no
means devoid Of interest. He says
there ia an abundance of labor in
the State; that the employees in the
mills are better satisfied than any
other class, and there is NO antago.
nism between the employer and the
employed. The matter Of hours OF
employment, he reports, is being
settled by hemselves, and neither
employer nor employe favors legls.
ton, for, in answer to questions on
this point, only five per cent were in
favor of legislation. The employees,
he finds, seemed to be satisfied, and
he thinks the matter of time, If lei
alone, will be adjusted by them
selves. And he makes the very en-
cOuraging statement that there ar,
no strikes, no favoritism, no dissat
lsfaction, no MUST decisions among
the laborers of the State.
Mr.. Hamryck reports that the op
eratives are in q generally good con
d.tion financially, because there EN-
ployment Is regular and their wag
90 sure. Of the mills reporting
7O.8 per cent. report the condition o.
their employees to be good; % /
per cent. that is fair, and of all tn,
replies received only five stat
ed their condition to be bad. No
only is this class of citiz ems Twin,
we'll and comfortably, but many O
them are saving money, and q nu m
Der of cases have recently come un
der the notice of the commissions
whore operatives have saved sufi
cient money to buy 81 900 worth o
stock in the factory in which the,
were employed.
Other interesting phases of tn
subject are thus summarized:
"rhe moral condition of our fac
tory workers is most excellent, 70
as . general thing they escape tn
dens OF vice that are so numerous il
the great cities of this country, an,
At the same time enjoy the socia
intercourse OF the town and receiv
the advantage Of . good school ed
ucation. The apartments in tn
factories are commodl0us, vel
lighted, heated and ventilated, an
a. much care 10 taken in the arrange
ments OF the apartments of the o.
eratives as Of the Office; most Of til
houses are we'll bulls and celled a
plastered, and are more comfortabl
arranged than those Of any othe
class Of laborers in the State. Lit
tie drunkenness occurs, for as q ger
eral thing, NO bsr-rooms are in or
Grafton near the factories"
The Post commNnds Com missioue
hamryck's report to the serious cor
sidsration Of the Albright Clut
That the manufacture of cotto
goods will ultimately be centered il
the eotton-growing States can scarce
u DO doubted. How long Z tim
will DO required to mplste tn
transfer depends on conditions no
clearly discernibls 1t this stage 3
the process. Bat it will not be de
layed By national control OF local q
fAiTS; nor do W believe the vhole
sone labor laws OF Nassaehusett
. IN - repealed in order TO ehesl
I b " N f M