Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-01-29
Hon. S. ". Matthews
Submits Annual Report.
Interesting Figures Regarding
Names Industrial Enterprises.
A Volume Of Much Value TO the
General Public.

Following is an extract Of the report
of Hon. ;. w. Matthews, commissioner
of the bureau OF industrial and labor
statistics, for the year 1905, as sub
mitted to the Governor and Council at
the January meeting.
The extended report on Trade Unions
is, perhaps, the most interesting and
valuable work of the Bureau during
the past year. The Investigations
were carried on by a competent and
candid member of the unions and the
results are as nearly complete and
accurate as they could be made in the
time and with the means allowed to
the special agent. The article
furnishes a complete directory of the
unions in the State, which will be
found a great convenience, although it
is to be regretted that a few Of the
unions failed to respond to the blanks
furnished them. and therefore the in
formation given in the list, is, in these
few cases, meagre and incomplete
The general information resulting
from this investigation may be briefly
summarized as follows: Number of
local organizations in so cities, towns
and plantations. PIP; 1874 unions report
membership amounting to 1898 This
shows an increase of several hundred
members since our last investigation.
While many of the weaker organic
atoms have dropped out of existence.
returns have been received from "a
new unions which. added to the num-
bers In the older organizations, give an
aggregate total membership as stated
above.
Maine has enjoyed a good degree of
prosperity during the past year in all
its varied industries. Its workers
have been well employed at remuner-
alive wages, and content and salts
faction with conditions have generally
prevailed. 1t is gratifying to know
that the intelligence and character of
our working men are such as to induce
reasonable demands on their part, and
conclliatory and fair treatment on the
part of employers. Thus friction has
been avoided and good feeling pro-
NOTED. A few minor labor difficulties
have occurred which are described i'm
the article, but violence and destruc
tive methods have, in no instance.
taken place.
An indication of the prosperity which
mas prevailed during the year. is the
exhibit of factories mills and shops
Tor manufacturing purposes. enlarged.
completed, or in process of erection.
The aggregate of money expended is
s23o3,410. an amount exceeded only
during four years of the fifteen in
which reports from the assessors of
towns. cities and plantations have
been made to the bureau.
a brief article on the railroads shows
gratifying increase in mileage and
business, a sure indication of the gem
eral progress in the development and
Improvement of the resources of the
state. The extension of the Bangor
and AroostOOk system to the seacoast
makes prominent feature in the rail-
road development during the past wear.
opening up as it does, a new and very
important outlet for the products of
Names Furnishing and rapidly de-
vel"ping northern sections
The poultry industry is an important
one and has been considered worthy of
attention by this bureau. No attemrt
has been made to make a general cam
TICS OF which are obtained from other
sources. but many Of the more extern
slvc plants are here described. These
plants are generally located near cities
and larger towns, and especially in the
neighborhoOd of prominent summer re-
sorts. The descriptions of these furn-
lsh much interesting and valuable in
formation and give a general idea of
the extent of the industry in the State
and especially in the localities where If
IS carried on as speciality.
The manufacture Of clothing is .,
industry which has been given attcn.
ton by the bureau and makes an in
teresting feature in the report of this
year.
The number of factories, mills and
shops which have been built or enlarged
IN 81 cities towns and plantations in fine
State during the year. together with tho
total cost and the number of hands to
which they give employment is shown by
the following table: