The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-01-20


Meeting I'm Charleston.
The South Carolina Cotton Manu-
facturers' Association held its mid
winter meeting here yesterday. The
attendance was very satisfactory and
all expressed themselves as being very
much pleased with the visit to Char
lesion. The Cotton Manufacturers
Association holds two meetings each
year. one In upper Carolina or In
North Carolina and the mid-winter
meeting either in Columbia or Char
lesion. The meetings of the represen-
tatives Of the cotton mills are regard
ed as very helpful to the Industry. At
the business sessions various econom-
10 questions are discussed and agreed
upon. The Association, which includ /.
ed practically all the cotton mills in
the State. has done great work In
bringing about better feeling among
those at the head Of an industry in
volving a hundred million OF dollars
In this State. The Association has
prospered under the presidency of
Capt. Ellison A. Smyth, and he has
been at the head of the organization
since It's inception.
Yesterday the cotton mill men did
not have many serious problems to
deal with. such as labor. coal sup
plies and the like. which have been
given serious consideration at previous
meetings. At yesterdays meeting va
rious reports from standing commit
ties were received and acted upon. The
matter Of disposing Of the waste of
the mills was considered. The mills
find that they are getting somewhat
better price for their waste. Mr..
Forester. the traffic manager of the
association. reported on his work, and
that he had secured certain desirable
concessions Of rthe mills Of the State.
The most important action Of the
representatives Of the cotton mills
was the attitude towards compulsory
education and what Is popularly
known as "child labor" In effect the
Association went on record as saying
that II q compulsory education Act
were enacted the mills would be
agreeable to fixing the minimum age
limit at II years. At present the law
Is that. except In certain cases, no
child under IL should work In a mill.
The Cotton Association is so insistent
upon compulsory education law that
II says pass and enforce compulsory
education law. and then. but not until
then. raise the age limit to IA years.
President Ellison A. Smyth, In talk
Ing about the action Of the Associa-
tion. said that the view was that the
very best and most effective child la
Dor legislation would be a compul-
sorry education statute.
In substance the action of the Asso-
citation was that the Association re-
news Its recommendation to the Legis-
lature that there be passed a general
compulsory education law, requiring
the compulsory education Of children
under IA years Of age.
Also that IL there be passed such
compulsory education law this Asso-
ciation feels that there is no objec-
ton to advancing under proper limita-
tions and restrictions the age limit Of
children working in textile mills and
other industries to an age to comply
with the general compulsory educa-
ton law as passed.
That this Association also renew
Its strong and urgent recommendation
to the Legislature that a law be pass
ed In the State requiring the registra-
ton OF births and marriage certifi-
Gates.
The past year has been a pretty
rough one on the cotton mills of the
country at large. The after effects of
the panic were seriously felt by the
cotton fabric industry The damand
Tor cotton goods was not lively and
this arected the price. Many mills
ran on short time In that way to cur
,iil the production and thereby get
better prices, but even that had no
material effect. and the mills pulled
along hoping for better times, and
about making ends meet. The gen
eral feeling among the mill men here
yesterday was that there Is healthier
tone and demand for cotton goods.
and with a better demand for goods.
better prices will follow. The manu-
facturer feel that they are over the
worst. and that II the demand con-
fippaa that thav onuht .1o, A.