Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-08-06
Situation in Burlington Cotton Mills


The people of Burlington have reason
to rejoice that this city is not as other
cities in New England are with reference
to the outlook for the continued operation
of cotton mills. Word comes from Bos-
ton that the corner in cotton secured by
spectators in that commodity is affect
ing most of the mills in New England
many having no material whatever with
which to continue production. AS a re-
suit of the shut down of various mills
thousands of operatives are out of en-
ployment, and unless relief is soon af-
forded there must be widespread desti-
tuition and suffering in the families of
idle mill hands. 1t is estimated that more
than 100000 spindes will be idle through
out the North during the month now be-
gun. and the textile trade is consequent
ly in demoralzed condition.
There are exceptions to this statement
In the case of Il number of mills which
have been moro fortunate than the rest.
1t is stated that Lowell, Mass, is not
suffering as are some other cities owing
TO the fact that the shutdown of last
spring incidental to The great strike of
the operatives. prevented them from US
ing up the stock of cotton on hand.
Some other mills in the Bay state are
able to work a few days each week but
in many instances factories are closed
altogether.
Inquiry develops the fact that neither OF
the cotton mills in Burlington is likely
IN g. on Of "a ri, of Of
cotton. one of the mills has a stock of
cotton that will last during the season,
and the other is in a position to secure
sufficient cotton to supplement its stock
on hand, so that there is no apprehen-
sion in that direction. In view Of the
considerable number of opera tives in the
mills here and the large population de-
pendent upon their earnings it is a mat
ter for general congratulation that it will
not be necessary to close the factories
on account of the cotton famine.
In this connection it may be of in
terest to our readers to know that there
is q project on foot to secure action by
Congress for the purpose of preventing
the establishing of corners in cotton.
/
Ilayne pool controls 10000 bales of cot
ton, ana the spectacle of these men
and their fellow -conSpira tors holding this
amount of raw cotton in storage while
the cotton manufacturing industries of
the country are suffering for the ma
tcrial with which to conduct operations
is we'll calculated to incite mill owners
to action.
The opinion has been expressed by mill
attorneys that Congress will be justified
in cnacting such legislation as will be
necessary to prevent cotton corners on
the ground that they interfere with in
terstate commerce. and are, therefore,
Illegal. 1t Is to be borne in mind, how
ever that while legislation against cot
ton corners is greatly to be desired,
nevertheless our national lawmakers
must take into consideration the fact
that, If legislation of this character is
enacted with reference to cotton, they
must be prepared to face requests and
appeals for similar Legislation in rela-
ton to corners in wheat and corn and
uation it is open to doubt whether there
| is ground to hope for the success of any
attempt to secure legislation against cor
ners in cotton.