Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-10
NEW ENeLAND's OUTLOOK.


In a recent address to a meeting of or
ganized labor in Faneuil hall, Hon. George
S. Boutwell,. took a gloomy view Of the
| industrial situation of New England and
at the same time drew a most cheerful
picture OF the prospects Of the south.
1t is impossible TO deny the statements
Of the venerable Massachusetts statesman
or TO disregard the logic OF his conclu-
sions.
He declares that the mineral deposits
| OF New England are OF no value, and that
its resources in agriculture. in commerce
interstate and foreign. in the fisheries, in
wood. timber. granite, and marble are
equal only to the support of a third part
of the present population. He shows how,
one after another, the industries Of that
section. such as the breeding Of horses
and cattle for sale, the cultivation of
hops. corn. and wheat. the building OF
locomotives. with all the heavier products
OF i10n. have gone into other States. And
simultaneously ne says the tanning in
dustry. the manufacture OF agricultural
implements. OF household furnishings of
wood. passed wholly. or in a large degree,
into other hands. To these appreciable
losses and as OF signal Importance, he
adds the loss of a considerable part Of the
industry in shoes and leather, which for
a time was almost a monopoly in New
England.
For these losses New England has
sought and found compensation in the
manufacture Of lighter metallic articles
and in the immense enlargement of tex
tile production. especially Of the finer
grades.
But" says Mr.. Boutwell,, these manu-
features are now in peril, and for their
loss who can suggest an adequate COM
pensation?"
He is convinced that the already Won
derfnl industrial progress OF the south
viii be followed by stin greater achieve
ments OF like character
The capacity Of this section for progress
may be realized in the fact that the pro-
duction OF cotton during one generation
has risen from 4,OOO.O0O.OO0 bales of 400
pounds each TO over 100000 bales of
s. 0e0. 900 pounds each: that the south has
advanced phenomenally. not only in the
manufacture OF cotton goocs. but in many
other great industries. most of which she
had hardly entered upon at all twenty
five years ago.
Mr.. Boutwell, takes no stock in the the
DRY that the south must be subordinate
to New England in the finer manufac-
lures OF cotton and steel.
He frankly tells the workingmen Of
New England that the industries Of their
section which stlll live and thrive are un-
doubtedly disturbed by the competition of
Alabama. Georgia and the Carolinas and
that It Is folly to suppose that New Eng
land can avoid a period OF active compe
tition in the manufacture of the fabrics
upon which the prosperity of that section
now mainly depends. The south will not
be content with the lead she has taken
over New England in the manufacture OF
the simpler and coaser fabrics but will
press further the natural advantages she
possesses.
Mr.. Boutwell's address contains much
food for thought for both New England
and the south and exposes freely convic-
lions that have. been forced upon many
manufacturers and many students Of
economy in the eastern states. but which
are not often so candidly proclaimed by
them.