The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-08

employed more than 10000 people and
paid them more than $5,000,000 in wages.
In 1900 the cotton mills consumed cotton
to the value of more than s15, 100000, or
about 100000 bales, which was practical
ly all the cotton grown in the State that
year.
THE TANNING INDUSTRY.
The tanning industry is yet small
one, but the success attending it wher
ever modern methods have been adopted
warrants the statement that it is capable
of profitable enlargement to great proper
lions. Up to within a very few years
tanning was conducted only under the
primitive methods in vogue fifty years
ago. In 1890 the invested capital in the
industry amounted to only a little over
100000 and the products valued at but
S190SS7. Within the last ten years an
attempt has been made to conduct the
business on modern plans and so sue
cessful has it proven that s1,300000 are
now invested in the industry and in 1900
the value of the products was $1,502,37
This successful beginning proves beyond
doubt that here is field for profitable
investment.
MANUFACTURING TOBACCO.
The State has long been famous for it's
chewing and smoking tobacco. Some of
the largest tobacco factories in the world
are located here. and the names OF
Blackwell Duke, Hanes ard Reynolds
and the brands of tobacco which they
have put uron the market are known all
round the globe. In 1890 the capital in
vested in this industry was S4.7S3, AL
bo} he
than doubled and the value of products
in 1900 was nearly three times as much
IS in 1890. Great fortunes have been
made in the business and opportunity is
still open for the profitable investment
of large CAPITAL in the business.
FURNITURE FACTORIES.
Perhaps the most remarkable showing
made in any industry is in that of fur
niture manufacturing. In 1890 there
were six little factories with a capital
of $126.350, and the total value of their
products was $4,000. In 1900 there were
forty-four factories with a capital of ST.
023,374 and their products were valued at
LAST ,305-an increast of nearly thou
sand fold in ten years! While the industry
is yet comparatively small, yet this re-
markable growth proves conclusively
tnat success is assured TO the enterprlS-
ing investor who embarks in the BUSH
ness.
North Carolina is an agricultural
State, and as such offers advantages of
superior character. But the facts and
figures already given and those that are
to follow suggest that perhaps her great
est possibilities are in manufacturing
The streams can supply energy conser-
vatively estimated at 2,750,000 horse
power. Of this tremendous supply of en-
ergy something like 100000 horse power
is already available, and with recent
progress in the electrical transmission
of power it is not extrayagant to assert
that very large proportion of this ire
mendous force can be economically util-
lied for industrial purposes. The growth
of railroad mileage in recent years and
the cheapness attending railroad con-
struction in the State settle the ques-
ton of accessibility to the fields of raw
material. While the cotton mills of the
State now spin every pound of cotton
grown in the State, and more too, the
proximity of the great cotton growing