Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-26
COTTON MEN HOPEFUL.
Think Fall River Will be Able to Meet
Competition.

Fall River, June 25.-"Subsequent
events, all occurring within year. have
shown that we were justified in taking
the stand we We're compelled to take last
July First. Governor Douglas confirms
Now Mr.. Tansey confirms what We said
about wage conditions elsewhere. That
was the only public comment n. B. Bor-
den, president of the Cotton Manufacture
ers' Association. cared to make about the
report just issued from the Office of the
Massachusetts Bureau of Statistics of La
Dor The tip was a fruitful topic of dis
cussion among the mill men. 1t has in
creased the optimism of some and the
pessimism of others concerning the pros
poets of the industry. One of the leading
manufacturers who is closely connected
with the financial interests. said:
We now have the facts in the situa-
ton. Our operatives and our stockhold-
ers have disputed the facts for years past
MY personal opinion is that if We are al
lowed to increase the productive efficiency
OF our labor without regard to past Gus
toms in the operation of cotton mill ma
chimes. We shall be in Il stronger position
in nVe years than we have ever been. If
unioniSm or prejudice hamper we shall
all 60 down together. Our living condi-
tons cannot be changed; low-labor stand
cooperation. so that productive efficiency
viii be increased to point that is not
possible in Southern climates. | feel that
We are equal to the proposition and l feel
that the state bureau has done Il good
service in putting the facts before us
A very common expression among
manufacturers was that further large eX-
penditureS for new machinery will be
necessary in Fall River within two or
three wears iE order to meet the low
costs else where; One treasurer said. Off
hand. that $4,000 would put local mills
on COMPETING basis within eighteen
period until five years thereafter the
Southern proposition would grow less
serious. One OF the largest stockholders
in the city. whose name is stamped on one
local corporation. said: An immediate
and radical change will have to be made
To improve the selling methods in force
here. Manufacturers are taking the
smallest share of the profits from their
products The printers and bleachers and
converters are taking the profits that
should come to the stockholders through
ownership Of finishing plants. 1t would
help us a great deal if several of our print
cloth mills were to combine and purchase
print works. and bleacheries at once l
would lend any assistance l could to such
a project
Commenting on Secretary Tanscy's part
in the work of the State Bureau, one
manufacturer said: 1T is not fashion
able or popular to give publicity to facts
as Mr.. Tansey has done but l hope his
courage will be emnlated by the other
is. ] believe we shall work out this con-
dition We are in, and in n few years both
sides " i'll be the better for what has been
suffered. If men run four speeders in the
South. they can do so here, and moro
efficiently. 1t is easier for n Fall River
weaver to run ten and twelve looms than
and thirty looms In making the facts
public, the state has done a good service"