The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-09-23

Brettonwoods. n. H, September e1.
Topics Of especial interest to the
trade were discussed at the semi
annual meeting Of the New England
Cotton Manufacturers Association,
which opened here today.
Herbert e. Waimsley. OF New Bed
ford. the president OF the association,
in his address considered the present
condition and future OF the cotton
manufacturing industry I'm New Eng
land. Mr.. walmsley spoke Of the
enormous losses to ali concerned
which follow labor disputes. He
thought there should be more concili-
alton. a combination between employ
er and employed. He was adverse to
New England. As to the rate Of
wages. he said far better look this
problem squareIy in the face, freely
and candidIy admit that the standard
or normal rate " wages I'm the New
England cotton mills never can nor
will be brought down to the level OF
the southern standard
He blamed the management OF
many mills for their poor condition,
declaring that where mills are in such
an unfortunate and unenviabIe posi-
ton that they cannot any longer be
run with any degree of profit, let them
close down and 60 out OF business al
together. and the sooner the better.
They are nothing more and nothing
less than a demoraiizing and disturb
ing element I'm what would otherwise
tory situation. Mills of this unie-
sirable character, and unfortunately ft
Is to be feared there are too many
such in New England, could not COM
pete with the we:i-equipped southern
mills, even were they 20 pay the same
wages and run the same number OF
hours. from the fact and for the sim-
pie reason that their machinery is
antiquated, fit for little else than the
scrap heap. They are in no condi-
ton to meet any kind OF competition
on any class OF work or under any
circumstances. II the cotton indus
try Of New England or any particular
section OF industry has arrived at such
a pass, such a stage I'm its history that
all that can be done in the endeavor
TO make ends meet Is to reduce wages
below a legitimate standard. below
what Is fair, equitable, humane or ey-
pedient. by all means. ies such portion
Of the industry leave us and go elss-
where, We want none of it. Such con-
dition Is sufficient to warrant, to de-
mand drastic action. There is no hope
for them.
II am not one OF those who imag-
inc that the cotton industry os New
England Is doomed, Is on the verge OF
Of its prosperity panic theories CT
tnat character are unterablo. or one
thing the whole country from Canada
to the Gulf and from the Atlantic to
the Pacific may rest perfectly well as
sured. and that fs that the cotton In
Odstry, guided by New England hands
and minds. will not leave New Enc.
land; on the contrary, it will grow and
increase on safe and sound lines al
ways advancing and progressing I'm
the direction OF finer and more varied
fabrics, and viii continue to be one
OF the chief sources OF wealth. en-
ployment and prosperity of this Sec
tion OF this great country
The address OF President waInsley
was given close attention. His decla-
ration that when mills could not be
rum with profit they should go out OF
business was the subject OF consider
able discussion at intervals In the pro-
ceedings.
Daniel A. Tsmrksns. Of Charlotte.
y. C., gave an address on Sorting and
Marketing Cotton" Henry G. Kit
fridge, OF Boston. spoke on .Economfc
Extension OF Cotton Cultivation in the
South, and James R. MacColl, OF Paw
tucket, II. l.. discussed the business
Side of Cotton Manufacturing"
About 150 manufacturers attended
the opening session, and the southerr
states and other sections to which the
membership extends. were repre-
sented
Severe Wind Storm at Macon.
Macon. Ca, September eI-Severaf