The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31

DuELHS the past year the progress OF
Raleigh has been far more marked than
in any year of its history since the close
of the war. This is shown in a number
of ways:
1. In the healthy trade conditions exist
ing here.
During the past year business has been
better than for many years previous;
and as the old year goes out and the
new year comes in, dealers in ali lines OF
goods express satisfaction at the volume
Of trading done, and at the profits de
rived therefrom.
There have been no failures that
amount to anything. The total liabilities
of all the failures here during the past
year would not reach $1,000.
?. In the establishment of new indus
trial enterprises and the enlargement OF
manufacturing plants already in opera
ton.
The new enterprises started during the
year are: A new cotton mi! (Neusp
River Milll, two new knitting mills. (Wil-
lard Hosiery Mill and Melrose Knitting
sMiil,1 a new ice factory, shuttle block
factory, q storage warehouse COMPANY
water power developed for bringing eiec
trio light and power to the city Nearly
every cotton mill and other manufactur-
ing enterprise In the city hqs been inn
proved during the year and enlarged in
capacity. All these factories are such
as utilize native material. thus making
them doubly advantageous AMI nrofita-
BILE TO the community. The cotton once
exported to foreign countries is now
made into fine cloths ana KNIT g4lds
within sight Of the field where it was
raised. Timber once put 10 No better
use than to be used as Greenwood is row
cut into lumber and dressed here for
other markets. The lockwood and per-
Summon that year ago was shipped to
Liverpool is now cut into shuttle blocks
here.
All manufacturing enterprises in Raj
eigh, of every description, have had a
prosperous year. None of them have
suspended, none have failed to pay divi-
dends. The cotton mills have been rum
nlllg on full time from years end TO years
end, and during much of the time they
have had ITO run day and night to keep
mp with their orders. The only trouble
experienced last year was in getting
enough cotton TO keep running at full ca
pacity
The outlook for the coming year. local
mill men say. is brighter than it has
ever been at this time within their mill
ing experience. With its splendid rail
road facilities, superior class of labor
and numerous natural advantages, it Is
only a question Of a few years when
Raleigh must be great manufacturing
centre.
8. In the improvement Of railroad SEIZED
ules and accommodations, and in the
construction of new lines.
We have four railroads leading into the
city-the Southern in two directions
the Seaboard Air Line in two directions
and the Raleigh and Cape Fear III one di-
rection, the Cape Fear and North
ern (both of these last named roads,
by the way. were opened for traffic
during the past year. The Raleigh
and Eastern Railroad, which will run
from Raleigh through the eastern part of
Wake county, where railroad connection
Is so much needed, is u corporation just
organized with Col J. s. Carr Of Dur
ham. president, and some Of the best
business men of Raleigh behind the en-
terprise. This will be the fifth railroad
radfating from Raleigh in as msny direc-
lions, aud these roads give IN the city
the best of railroad facilities. and the
best advantages as Il bt1slness centre.
The Seab0ard and Southern. the two
principal railroads running into the city.
have made better their road ttts rnd
rolling stock, and have put into effect
more convenient schedules. The Raj
cigh and Cape Fear Railroad and
the CAPE Fear and Northern Railroad
are two independent short lines
hlilt by private enterprise. each
Lout twenty-five miles long and
Aging large amount of bust
here daily. Still another road
AwiH i'm the near future be worth
TO the business interests of Raj
Abeing surveyed. This is the Raj.
\ Eastern, from here to Wake
INSTANCE Of some twenty miles.
like the Raleigh and Cape