Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-22
THE COTTON TRADE.
New England Manufacturers Discuss
Topics of Special Interest.

A dispatch from Brettonwoods, N. H,
last night says: Topics Of especial interest
to the trade were to be discussed at the
serni-annual meeting OF the New England
Cotton Manufacturers Association, which
was opened here today at the Mount Wash
ington Hotel. The meetings were to last
throughout today and tomorrow.
The principal address OF todays session
was that delivered by Herbert E. Walmsley
OF New Bedford, the president OF the asso-
citation. who devoted his entire address to
a discussion of the present condition and
future of the cotton manufacturing indus
try in New England.
Mr. Walmsley spoke OF the enormous
losses to all concerned which follow labor
disputes. He thought there should be more
Cancellation, combination between en-
ployer and employed. He was averse to
any change in the working hours of New
England. AS to the rate of the wages he
said far better look this problem squarely
in the face. and equally. freely and can
didy admit that the standard or normal
rate of wages in 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
unenviable position that they cannot any
longer be run with any degree of profit let
them close down and go out of business al
together. and the sooner the better. They
are nothing more and nothing less than a
demoralizing and disturbing element in
what would otherwise be a healthy, vigor-
GUS and satisfactory situation.
Mills OF this undesirable character-and
unfortunately. IL is to be feared there are
too many such in New England-could not
compete with the well-eQhpped southern
mills. even were they to pay the same wages
and run the same number OF hours, from the
fact and for the simple reason that their
machinery Is antiquated, fit for little else
than the scrap heap. They are In no con-
ditfon to meet any kind of competition on
any class of work or under any circum-
stances.
"If. again" he said. "the cotton industry
OF New England. or any particularly section
of the country. has arrived at such q pass
such stage in 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. hui
name or expedient, by all means let such
portion of the industry leave us and go else
where: we want none OF It. Such condition
is sufficient to warrant to demand. drastic
action. There is no hope for them.
II am not one of those who imagine that
the cotton industry of New England Is
doomed. Is on the verge OF collapse or has
theories OF that kind are untenable. OF one
thing the whole country, from Canada to
the gulf. and from the Atlantic to the Pa
cine. may rest perfectly well assured. and
that Is that the cotton industry. guided by
New England hands and minds. will not
leave New England. On the contrary. II
will grow and Increase on safe and sound
lines. always advancing and Progressing
IN the direction or inner and more varied
fabrics. and Will continue to be one Of the
chief sources of wealth. employment and
prosperity OF this section of this great
country