The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-07-28
tx IRA.
= O'CLOCK.
LACE INDUSTRY
IN PAWTUCKET.
American Textile Co.'s Only
Mill Of Kind in This Country.
Although New Plant is Not Complete,
Manufacture is Going on
Just the Same.

Although the new plant OF the Ameri-
can Textile Company, at Pawtucket, is
not yet completed, the manufacture OF
lace is going on apace.
Manager Shepard has just returned
from New York, where he has been In
consultation with the United States au-
fhorities, relative TO the OBTAINING of his
help there.
There was some o.fficulty over the con-
tract .abor law which concerns the bring
lng Of skilled labor into this country.
Mr. Shepard adjusted the matter sat-
asfactorily, however. for the help arrived
Sn Pawtucket without any special incl
dent and are today at work I'm the mill.
A News representative visited the mill
this morning and found II a most inter-
esting place.
OF course, the interior Is still In a state
pf chaos, yet 1t was quite apparent that
the toilers there will labor under the
most agreeable conditions.
The plant - beautifully situated. sur
sounded by large open spaces. which rend-
er the interior light and AIRY.
At present. but two Lace machines are
In operation, but the number will be In
creased Rs the work progresses.
MACHINES ARE INTRICATE.
The machines are very large and ex-
tremely intricate, requiring the utmost
skill ON the part of the operator.
An interesting fact concerning these
machines is that they manufacture every
kind OF lace In an infinite variety of pat
terms.
The operator stated that the first lace
tna
and the present machine is the result of
q century Of study.
The ''mending room" Is a model OF light
and cleanliness. Here were hard wood
floors and comfortable chairs. In which
were seated dozen or more young wo-
men, cutting threads and repairing de-
fects In the dainty laces.
Ono OF these women had mended lace
in Nottingham for almost decade, and
her happy face showed no discomfort over
changed conditions.
The women workers are employed only
In the mending and finishing rooms The
heavy machine labor is performed by
men.
In conversation with Mr.. Shepard
regarding the kind OF lace to be manu-
factured he said: I'VE intend to make
lace of every sort for trimming purposes.
both silk and cotton.
EQUAL TO IMPORTED LACE.
.All lace. you know. has been import
ed hitherto. We shall manufacture lace
equal, In every way, to any lace brought
into this country. The workmanship, of
course. Ii Just the same"
Mr.. Shepard was asked II the price OF
the lace manufactured by the american
Textile company would be any lower
than that of the imported lace of the
same quality.
"Of course not" said he. mo Ameri-
can industry could succeed unless IL
competed i'm price with foreign industry"
What advantage. then, Is Il to the
buyer TO purchase laces. instead OF inn
porting them?' Mr.. Shepard was asked.
ADVANTAGE TO DEALERS.
"why. the advantage is in the quick de-
livery" was the reply.
Another advantage is that dealers will
not be obliged 10 carry such big stocks
as formerly.
Dealers have been obliged TO import
their laces once n year and this necessi-
tated the carrying OF large surplus
stock.
sometimes they are not able 10 dis
pose Of this stock and thus loss is In
Cured"
MIR. Shepard stated that when the mill
r. IN full operation perhaps 300 to $50 peo-
ple will be employed.
The help already here came from C.,l-
ais, France. and in this connection Mr.
Shepard said that during his residence
IN Calais tas United States consult he
conceived the idea OF bringing the lace
industry here.
My experience in the undertaking. "he
said. has been a hard one and II had
a. TO do again ] would rather saw wood. +"
AMERICANS ARE LEARNING.
Mr.. Shepard stated that number ~
Americap workers were already at work
as apprentices. learning the art Of lace
making.
Some. he said. learn case others never
can learn.
n requires men Of skill. experience and
intelligence to master its difficulties. he
declared
No one In this country can do the work
unless taught by these foreign workerg
The News representative was shown the
many kinds of lace that are 10 be manu-
fncturcd by this company.
They include the following varieties
vaienciennes. Torchon. Applique. Lux
Guile. BOURBON. fancy Cashmere. fiounces
eodet Satin. Champagne and many
others
Thcnc iaccs were OF exquisite texture
And beautiful design and would assured