The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1900-04-25

But for those who work in the factories
are provided comfortable quarters and
decent accommodations. 1t is est! mated
that fully seven thousand people are
engaged In these allied industries.
FURNITURE.
1t is only In recent years that the man
ufacture Of furniture In New Orleans has
been shown to be profitable venture
Eigh, or ten years ago two or three ven
lures were made, but for various causes
they proved failures, but eventually the
factories passed into the hands of people
who understood the business, and they
soon demonstrated that the cheaper
grades of furniture could be made as
cheaply as anywhere, and which could
compete successfully with that made
good sized factories in operation, and,
while all of them make the cheaper
grades of furniture, 1t has been also dem
onstrated that they can make the bet
But the use of the hardwoods has not
been practiced to the extent that cond!-
tlons here justify. The inexhaustible
har( wood forests Of Central and South
America. which are practically at the
doors Of New Orleans, could be ntll;ze1
with advantage, II there was sufficient
capital invested in plant TO make them
into the finer grades of furniture.
The product which is turned out here,
however finds a ready market not only
here in the city, but Is sold all over the
southern states.
An allied industry which was started
erable success, was an iron bed factory.
In recent years there has grown up
tremendous demand for iron and brass
beds, and this fashion struck New Or
leans with the same force that II struck
other parts Of the country Taking ad-
vantage of the facilities offered here
for the manufacture of iron beds,
plant was established in a modest way.
ON and II has proven
a successful venture, besides opening up
a new industry. II uses scrap iron, and
makes everything entering into the con
struction OF the bed.
tory. This was established a number OF
years ago, and passed through various
stages of prosperity and depression. but
1t has now become one Of the largest
industrial plants in the city. and New
Orleans made collins are to be found
in the graveyards of every southern
state. This concern has built up a
trade that is surprisingly large, and 1t
is only another example of how enter
prise and Industry. with the judlcious
use of capital, can be made not only
benefit to the community. By giving
employment TO large numbers Of people.
1t is asserted that this establishment
turns out quality of goods that Is
there Is only one other factory which
can make finer grade.
Also in the furniture line. there are
four good sized plants which manufac-
ture spring beds and mattresses, and
which have met with an unexpected de-
gree of success. The capital employed
Is comparatively small, and the enter
prises have been built up gradually, but
they have hourished because they were
carefully managed.
TOBACCO AND CIGARS.
This is an industry which has done
much to advertise New Orleans, for New
| Orleans made cigars are known all over
| the country, and there Is no better do
nestle cigar in the country than that
made in the Crescent city. There are
| two immense plants here. giving EN-
ployment TO two thousand people the
wear round, and which represent vast
| aggregated capital. 1t Is admitted by
| the cigar experts that New Orleans has
| climate which Is peculiarly adapted
| to the manufacture of cigars. and her
nearness to the great tobacco fields OF
| Cuba makes her a specially suitable 10
/ cation for a large plant. Millions OF
cigars are made here annually, and tons
upon tons of smoking tobacco, and as for
| cigarettes, there are probably more ci-
garettes made here than in any other
| CITY in the country.
Besides the two large plants, there are
| a number Of smaller ones. which do
| q thriving business in a quiet way.
| 1t took some time TO educate the labor
here in the manufacture OF cigars, but