The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-08-25
INDUSTRIAL PROGRESS.
Collecting Statistics in the Counties of
Western Maryland.

Collecting Statistics in the Counties of
Western Maryland.
A special telegram to the Baltimore
Sun dated at Cumberland August II,
regarding the industries of this and
Allegany counties and the work
being done by State Senator D. E.
Dick, says;
State Senator David E. Dick, of
Allegany, who is the assistant labor
statistician, makes the following re-
port on the industrial development
of Western Maryland counties. He
says:
The result of my canvass for the
bureau of industrial statistics, which
has thus far been confined to the
counties Of Allegany and Garrett, is
very gratifying, and if we but meet
with the same success in the other
counties of the State we will be able
to compile authentic tables for the
next annual report, which will dem
Onstrate the Importance of every
county industry, something that was
heretofore considered impossible, be-
cause of the small appropriation
allowed the department. Mr.. Wade's
predecessor endeavored to get this in
formation by sending out circulars,
but not over 10 per cent. of them were
returned, therefore, reliable estimates
could not be based upon those he re-
ceived.
THE purpose of the bureau when
established was, believe, to secure
a systematic record of our States in
dustries, so that they could be re-
! vised from year to year. Because of
the failure of the circular system the
annual reports of the bureau were
largely comprised of articles on GER
tain leading industries of the State,
which, while important, fell far short
of the purpose intended when the
bureau was founded.
las shown by the returns, we have
received, through personal solicita-
ton, many decided advantages are to
be gained.
Every manufacturer and employer
with whom we come in contact, upon
explanation, readily perceived the
Importance of our work and evinced
willingness to give the information
asked for. The data gathered in
cludes the total number of men,
capacity in which they are employed
and wages paid per day, week or
month; also the average wages earned
or time made during the year, system
of payments, hours worked per day
and comparison of this years bust
ness with the preceding one. If an
increase or decrease is shown we
endeavor to ascertain the cause there
for.
"A list of industries for this State
was taken from standard authority
of recent date, but in some cases we
found that certain industries on our
list had ceased operations several
years ago, while on the other hand
we found many that were not on our
list at all. In fully four ifths of the
industries visited in Garrett and AL
legany we found business much better
than the year previous, and in most
cases the reason assigned for the in
crease was greater demand for their
products. In both counties the num-
Der of industries are on the increase,
and, Judging from the facilities at
hand, they are likely to continde' in
creasing.
Several manufacturers remarked
that in view of Cumberland's favora-
bic surroundings it was destined to
be quite manufacturing centre in
the very near future. The Cumber-
land Steel and Tin Plate Company,
recently established there, is manu-
featuring a first-class quality of steel
and tin plate, and give employment
to $50 men throughout the entire
year They work three shifts, eight
hours each, and at present are max
ing preparations to still further en-
large their plant.
1.-THE West Virginia Pulp and Pa
per Company, located at Luke, Ale
gany county, employs 475 men, and
report an average of 312 days year.
There are quite a number of other
important industries in both Allegany
and Garrett counties that are deserv-
ing of special mention, all of which
will receive due notice in the next an
nual report of the bureau.
1.-The coal industry of Western
Maryland employs over 1000 men,
and the indications are that the out
put this year will greatly exceed that
of former years. A number of coal
companies are now experimenting
with the small veins of coal which
range from 4 to 6 feet in height 1t
is predicted that considerable small
vein coal will be shipped from the
Georges creek region within the next
few years.
according to the list in our pos
session we thought there were only
about 90 industries in Garrett county,
but upon investigation we find that
there are over double that number.
I'VE intend to canvass every county
in the State, as thoroughly as we have
canvassed Allegany and Garrett, and
hope to meet with the same success
that has thus far attended our efforts"
HOW IT WAS DONE.
Governor Lowndes Requested the Presi-