The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-09-28
aonrishlng, with prospects brigb..
rLOCR AND NEAL INDUSTRY.

hourishing, with prospects brigb'.
FLOUR AND NEAL INDUSTRY.
4" 4 larger number of reports were
from the -four and meal INDUSTRY than
from any other industry in the State.
The number of these reports, how
ever, were not sufficiently complete
for tabulation. These iucomF lste
eues showed an aggregate capital in
vested OF little less than $4,000
There were 81 reports sufficient for
tabulstlon. These showed an aggre-
gate capital invested of 81, lGS 900,
aud goods manufactured during the
year of the value of y 203, ,03i 90.
Nearly every one reported business
as good and future prospects encour-
aging. Much complaint was made rs
to freight rates, the contention being
that Western mlllers had rate priv
leges which gave them considerable
advantage over Virginia mills.
FOUNDRIEs AND MACHGNIsTs.
"Tne reports from iron fouudres
and machinists showed an aggregate
capital invested of - GG7 500 aud
goods manufactured during the year
of 1897 valued at = 93} 425 GG. Tue
total days operated IN 1897 was 420
more than in 1896, aud the smout
paid in wsges in 1897 was So, SIG 81
IN excess of the preceding year. Re-
plying TO the l. quiry as 10 the con-
dition e the trade aud its future
prospects, only TWO concerns report
ed business unsatisfactory, while
some Of the Others thought prices too
low, profits accordingly too small.
Still, business was considered good
and the future outlook bright As
an evidence of this one incorporated
concern which Ia 1897 employed
abou, 900 men increased its force
to 1 500 10 1898 and had on hand
contracts for tho manufacture OF
$40 800 900 worth of goods. Though
the Commissioners report does not
say so or intimate It, the concern re-
ferred to is believed to be the ship
building company at Newport News
The knitting industry reported
business as fairly prosperous and a
good lookout for the future. The
pine reports received from establish b.
ments in the State showed that the
number of days 10 operation in 1897
was 500 more than in the preceding
year, and the amount paid in wages
in 1897 was $50, ,46l 81 in excess of
that paid in the preceding yesr.
sAwMILL BUSINESS.
"With some exceptions, the saw.
mill business was reported as fairly
good, with au encouraging outlook
for the future. Of the 36 reports re-
turned Ii we're too incomplete for
tabulation. The % used showed an
aggregate capital of $2S3 $50 and
goods manufactured during the year
of 1897 valued at $400, 46G 3G.
TOBACCO INDUSTRY.
d" OF the so reports sent to manu-
fscturers Of tobacco only IS we're re-
turned with sufficient Information to
be of material aid in this report.
While these 2S reports do not. of
course, represent the extent OF the
manufacture of tobacco in the State,
still from them can be gathered a fair
average of the rates of wages paid.
With but one exception, the condition
Of business was reported good and
the prospects for the future regarded
as encouraging Some complaint
was made of the existence of tobacco
trusts, which, it was contended,
operated to the detriment of the
smaller manufacturers. The % re-
ports showed,a capital of ST. ,536 ,543
aud goods manufactured during the
year of the value of s.. $50, 500 So
"0Aly niue reports were received
from the wooden mills, although
blanks were sent to quite a large
number. These nine reports showed
an aggregate capital of $lS7, 900, with
goods manufactured valued at $2S7, =
700.
WOODEN WARE.
Reports received from manu-.
facturers of wooden ware showed
fairly good condition of trade,
This line of business, however
was to be seriously threatened by
reason Of the increased consumption
of galvanized iron buckets, which
we're sold cheaper than the common.
est grade of wooden ware. The cap
ital invested by the five concerns was
$500 900, and the total output for
1897 amounted to 1925 400.
The aggregate capital invested
by the nine establishments reported
in the wood, paper and tin box
manufactures showed capital of
1865 623 60 and goods manufactured
during the year of $6O5 .47O67."
coLoRED LABOR.
Statistical information with re-
gard TO the labor of colored psople
in Virginis, the Commission
er's report says, is difficult to obtain
aud hard to verify. There is no or
eanized labor among them. AS be.
tween the black aud white races
there is no community Of interest in
labor organization. For a short
time some few negro lsborers were
connected with the Knights of Labor.
There are fewer skilled laborel among
them now than there were before
the war in proportion to nun bers and
opportunities, resulting no doubt
from the fact that children and youths
are seldom taught the trades follow.
ed by their parents. la ell branches
of tob .cco manufacture. except cher.
oJts. cigarettes and cigar making,
they are employed 10 large numbers.
Ia 1896 there were 5. 600 men, wo'
men, boys and girls employed i'd the
factories of Richmond