The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-21
Mr.. Tanner Appeals for Con
servative Action by Legis-
laturers and Raps Con
gress for Failure
to Assist.

In his annual address to the cottor
convention President Tanner took w
many matters of Interest and i'm
+ portance to the association. The presi.
dent said:
After holding a most successful mee,in!
last year In the historic Northern city o
Philadelphia. whose hospitality could NO
wellb surpassed BY any people, IT seems oul
board OF governors acted wisely in the selec-
ton OF the historic and hospltable Southern
city OF Richmond for holding this meeting.
Since our last meeting the international
conference was he'd in Atlanta. Ga. at wnich
ance with the resolutions passed at the rneet-
thG in washington the previous year. and 10
doubt much good Will come from this meet
numbers, and by talking facs-to-face With
the foreign and home spinners hey formed
new IDEAS as TO how cotton should be handled
in order to obtain the best results for no.n
interests. Many matters OF interest TO man
uiacturers ana planters were discussed which
resulted in broader and better knowledge
Of what is being done in the cotton manu-
featuring business by our neghbors at home
ana abroad.
"a resolution was passed in reference 10
O permanent organization, but 1t seems that
there has been some hitch in regard to II.
Ehis matter win probably be taken UP at
the European conference at Paris which
meets in June, and to which our association
has appointed ten delegates.
fOE the tfQplOyeS.
improvements have been continued dur
nlons the line OF betterments and welfare
work for the employees. The Southern States
have better common school facilities and
longer terps, 10 which the mills generally
subscribe literally. The age limit has been
voluntarily increased by the mills. as we'll as
reduetien In the hours OF labor. In addi-
featuring states, North and South. have one
or more textile schools. Besides this, some
OF the states--North Carolina in PARTICULAR
he's two industrial schools, one at Charlotte
and one at Spray. for cotton mill employees
where they can attend school and work in
the mills a portion of the time, and some
OF them also learn farming and other kinds
of outdoor work. 1t is gratifying TO note
that the school attendance is rapidly In d
creasins each year. All OF the mill villages |
are vel supplied with churches and Sunday
over oVo pupils great many mills have
Libraries and graded schools.
considerable increase in the wages OF |
employees was made during the prosperous
period which the mills had. put It is re-
sret tal fact that they did no, generally ap-
ne order Of the day for everybody to de-
nand more for everything they had for SAFE
WIENER merchandise, labor or intellect. and
seemed willing to give FULL meas
ery!ce. at least, for the additional paw. that
hey gave before, except large part of the
=. mp!oyes IN cotton mills and in some other
mes, who were Indifferent or would refuse
9 perform the same amount OF labor for
ne I increased pay, and in addition to this
hey would refuse. in many cases, TO work
iore than four to five days per
'eek, or only as necessity demanded
/. 'heS received as much for this SER
ice as they had been receiving for six
ays before the advance. and spent much
me misratins trosl ope mill 10. another.
MS, OF course, caused a shortage If Iabor |
nd stoppage OF uachioery at a time wbsn
iere sas great demand for merchandise
sooa prices. which resulted in greatly de-
.e@So earnings Tor both the mills and the
i.p!oyes, and making IL necessary for the h,
aus to incur considerable expense in SEND
= 70 the mountains and remote places in
!.s e2untsy and also TO foreign countries
% neip. which would have been Unnecessary
they had put in full time. which was
laihiy demonstrated about the time the
ahic started and before the curtailmen, be-