The Washington herald., 1908-04-05

Switzerland to that portion of Washing
ton which occasionally goes to foreign
countries for travel and recreation is the
home of the Alps, Lake Luzerne, the
Jungfrau, picturesque villages, and see
merry which haunts the dreams for years
after once looking upon those grand
mountains, glaciers, and deep-shado we'd
valleys.
To other Washingtonians who some
times read about other nations and coun-
tries of the globe. Switzerland is the home
of fable and the one republic that has
stood strong and resolute among sur
rounding monarchies since Tell detied
Austria and Winkleried made way for lib
erty and died.
Few in Washington are prepared for the
interesting letter written by Special
Agent W. A. Graham Clark upon the cot
ton industries of that land Of mountains
and fable Mr.. Clark shows that Switzer-
land Is the seat of a considerable indus
try In cotton spinning and weaving
though the business has suffered much by
unfriendly tariffs and other exigencies Of
manufacture and trade. In part. Agent
Clark says:
"The cotton mills Of Switzerland have
remained almost stationary for the last
ten years. Only in special lines Of cotton
manufacturing such as the embroidery
business. has there been any progress.
and the advance in this direction has
been of great help in enabling the mills
TO survive by furnishing an outlet for
Swiss cloth and yarn.
Tariff Walls Mount Higher.
THE Swiss cotton-nill men have had to
face higher and higher tariff walls In
neighboring countries. and also a much
keener competition, due to these countries
rapidly charging their factories. The
Swiss markets for yarn and cloth lie
mainly among their neighbors in Europe
SO the result Of the advancing Industrial
ism Of their former customers has been
to cut of their orders on ali coarser
grades and drive the Swiss mills TO finer
and finer goods.
'In the home market they have to COM
pete with the inroads Of the Italian course
counts and the English fine counts, TO
which Is added. in times OF depression.
sporadic imports Of German. Belgian, and
French goods. which are dumped into
Switzerland as the nearest market at
what the Swiss refer to as bankrupt
prices The Swiss tariff was raised in
1895 especially 90 enable them 10 control
their home market against being used as
a dumping ground.
The Swiss mills have TO import all
their coal ard cotton and most of their
machinery. and great number Of the
mills are located in isolated places where
water power was available and where
country help could be obtained cheaply.
This has proved quite drawback, for
the unfavorable location has made 1t hard
10 keep help. and some mills are put TO q
good deal Of extra expense for hauling.
Driven TO Import Operatives.
There is a dearth Of local help. and the
mills are driven more and more 70 the
employment Of Italians and Germans.
The increase Of the embroidery business.
while Of advantage, in affording an in
/ creased home outlet has accentuated the
labor difficulty Of the mills by enticing
away their best wOrkmen. Many also 90
into the silk business. When the silk and
embroidery lines are slack the cotton
mills have an abundance Of help. but AT
other times they have 70 stand a constant
drain which they only make good by the
employment Of Italians. The Swiss still
have very cheap labor. but on coarse
goods the Italians have the advantage.
because their labor is 30 per cent cheaper.
and their mills can run at night. while on
fine goods the English have the advan-
tage because of the greater efficiency OF
/ their operatives. which more than COM