The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-07-24


the Rhone river. We will remain here
for two or three days in order to write
our reports and then proceed north
ward. I will try to send letters con-
cerning our trip as often as possible.
A c.. Latimer.
The Report.
Report of Comissioners Latimer and
burnett of Visit to a Cotton Mill
at Busto Arsisio, Near Milan.
Italy.
The subcommittee, consisting Of
Senator Latimer and Representative
Burnett, accompanied by Mr.. Dun
ming, the efficient United States cor
sui at Milan. paid a visit to a cotton
mill at Bustc Arsisio, town about %
miles from Milan, on June %. There
are several cotton mills at this and
adjoining towns, and this is said to
be the center. Of the cotton manufac-
turing Industry in Italy. There are
also a number of silk and linen mills
in this vicinity, but we did not visit
any Of these.
The mill visited was the Cottonihcio
venzaghi. 1Mr. Carlo venzaghi. one
Of the proprietors, showed US through
the plant and was very courteous.
This firm has been operating weave
she'd for some time, and is now in
stalling a spinning department. The
product is cotton jeans and kindred
goods. Most Of it is exported to South
America and India. The proprietor
said he had shipped some goods to
the United States, but had not at
tempted to push this trade.
The mill employs about 500 ope-
ratives, of whom 700. the proprietor
said, are women and children. The
average wages for the men was stat
ed to be about 81 per day, and that
the women and children from 40 to
IS cents per day. The laws Of the
country prohibit children under y
years from working in the mills;
those from y to II are allowed to
work eight hours per day; those
above Il ara allowed to work full
time, same as adults. The proprietor
said his mill runs about 10 hours
day. We saw number Of children IN
the mill who appeared to be under Il
years of age. Most Of them were at
| work but we do not know whether
| they were on the pay rolls or We're
helping other members Of their fam
lies. The women and children were
all barefooted while at work n the
mill, but wore wooden sandals While
going to and from their work. With
| this exception they compared favora-
bly,, in general appearance and clean
| Illness, with the cotton mill operatives
in the Southern States. The commits
sioners making this report are not IA
| n1iliar with the cotton mill operatives
| in New England.
The proprietor Of this mill is build
ing a large dornlinory for the use OF
the girls and women without families.
On the first floor are the dining room,
kitchen and recreation rooms. On the
upper floors are large bed rooms. with
80 or 40 beds in each room, oath
rooms, toilet rooms, etc. The build
ing is roon2y and we'll arranged. and
will be very comfortable. The pro-
prietor said he would furnish board
to his operatives including meals
beds, etc, for 40 centessims Is cents)
per day. He said he did not expect
to make any profit out Of the dornll-
tory his purpose being to provide
comfortable and attractive quarters
for the women at actual cost. in order
to make his mill attractive and secure
sufficient help. This dormitory plan
| impressed the commissioners very
| favorably, as it seems TO US an ad-
mira bic arrangement for the girls IN
the mill. The proprietor said ne
furnished houses for operatives with
families at rental of from Is cents
to 81 per room per month.
The machinery in the mill is all OF
English make, and appeared to the
commissioners to be of an antlquateo
type, even that now being installed
The spinning frames now being in
stalled are of the old type with long
travelling carriages. The looms are
heavy and cumbersome. and no ope-
rative runs more than two looms
Practically all the operatives are palc
by the piece.
The mill is using electric current
which is generated at water power
plant on river some distance away
The proprietor stated that the current
cost him $25 per horse power pei
annum. for a twelve hour run. There
is considerable activity in water pow
er development in this section. anc
the proprietor of this mill said that
a number of other mills would Soon
be started,