The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-04-24

Boston, April 22.-In an address OF
welcome today to the delegates to the
annual meeting of the New England
Cotton Manufacturers Association
Lieutenant Governor Curtis Guild, Jr.,
relieved the general condition of cot
ton manufacturing in New England and
made comparisons between the industry
in that section and in the south. He
declared that in spite of competition,
New England held the sceptre of cotton
manufacture in this country and call
ed attention to the facts which he said
indicated one great cause of unrest in
this particular industry. He quoted
figures showing the increase in the
number of active cotton spindles in the
country from 1890 to 1902 and said 1t
was idle to deny the fact that the rate
of increase in the south was much
swifter than in New England. He gave
further figures showing that the south,
in comparison with New England, pays
five eights as many operatives a little
over a third as much wages for operat-
ing about a third as many sDindles. and
said:
Not proximity to the cotton fields,
not climate. but cheap labor, long
hours. together with utter absence OF
excitement and extreme moderation of
taxation, explain the growth of the
south.
s.By the substitution of fine goods for
coarse goods in our factories. Massa-
chusetts has managed to put off the day
of settlement, even to show an in
crease. but ultimately the day Of set
tIement must come and we must face
and deal with conditions that have re
duced the spindIes in some of our north
ern states. Massa chusetts with the
shortest time limit and the oldest age
limit of any state in the Union has to
face the competition of states that limf,
neither afe nor time. The solution of
the Massachusetts mills nor in length
ening the hours in Massachusetts. but
here and now to begin a crusade that
the demands of humanity, enforced by
law in Massachusetts, shall be enforced
by law in all the states
Let US not drag Massachusetts, down
to the level of Alabama; let US lift Ala
bama to the level of Massa chusetts.
Let US have uniformity of factory laws
throughout the United States. 1t is
idle for Massachusetts TO stand alone
with wise restrictions when Alabama
and South Carolina compete with the
toll of infant fingers against the labor
of men and women
After President Fish's address a num-
ber of papers dealing with the techin-
cal and economic side of the cotton
manufacturing business were produced.
The first of these was by Henry @.
kittredge, of Boston, on the Supply
of Cotton for Fine Spinning" He said
there is no immediate cause for alarm
that there Will be a shortage in the
supply of long staple cotton for the
current demands of manufacturers. but
should the demand increase, as it has
within the last decade or so the situa-
ton may be alarmingiy changed and
the difficulty of securing a supply
keenly. realized.
The consumption Of cotton for fire
spinning is confined almost wholly 20
the Pacific ocean and in South America,
sea coast and in the valley of the Mis-
sissippi river, Of the United States. and
in the valley of the Nile. Egypt. What
is grown elsewhere, as on the islands OF
the Pacific ocean and in South America
is either too small in amount TO be
taken account of or not suitable for
fine spinning, though possibly possess
ing length Of staple.
To meet a possible difficulty in the
production of Sea Island or Egyptian
cotton the most promising region is
through the valley of the Mississippi
river; but how much this can be de-
pended on is a mooted question. and
if there are anywhere else the cultiva-
ton has 10 be forced or carried on al
an unusual expense, the cost of the
product will prevent Or discourage its
growth. 1t IS we'll known that excel
lent cotton can be raised on the bottom
islands of many of the rivers of ou1
southern states. but how far it can be
extended at a cost that will induce its
cultivation and be acceptable to the
demands of manufacture is uncertain.
1t is a commercial problem, he said
whether it pays to raise cotton exceed
ing 1 5-S to 1 3-4 inch staple with ar
average diameter of fibre exceeding one
fifteen hundredth to one eighteen hun.