The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-01-04
TARIFF REPORT GOOD
FOR SKOWHEGAN
Inspires Textile Men
With Confidence
Large Purchases of Raw Materials
Justify Expectation of Greatly In
creased Pay Rolls Here Next Year.

/ AHIEC Il VI NAV AHotNA 1870
Justify Expectation of Greatly In
creased Pay Rolls Here Next Year.
Skowhegan is a big winner by rea-
i son of the report of the Federal Tariff
Board to Congress. The statement of
] facts therein have removed SO large
an element of uncertainty from the
i immediate future of our textile in
dustries, that great improvement dur
j ing the coming year is confidently
anticipated. Large contracts for
materials have already been placed
on a rising market, and there is good
reason to expect that the local pay
rolls for next year will exceed those
of 1911 by upwards of $4,000.
President William NJ Wood of the
American Wooden Co, is quoted as
saying: In a cursory review of the
Tariff Boards report it at once com
mands recognition as manifesting
remarkable knowledge of the indus
try. In comparison of the manu-
featuring costs here and abroad the
report bears out absolutely the con-
tention of American manufacturers
that their costs, made up principally
of labor, are much higher than those
of their competitors in Europe. More
over, it also shows that the higher
wages here are not Offset by superior
efficiency of American labor. 1t is ap-
parent that the Tariff Board has found
that the efficiency of individual opera
tiyes in American mills is no greater
than, if SO great as, in the mills of
Europe. The report as whole con-
firms the need of substantially the
same rate of protection as now en-
bodied in Schedule X, excepting the
low cost fabrics"
Fletcher Goodwill, the president OF
the Marston Worsted Co, says: in
my opinion the Presidents tariff mes
sage is not open to serious criticism
by those of impartial mind. His high
commentator of the work of the
ldTll SlHtS dSSuI titlNt VI
ample and reliable information for
the drafting of new wooden sched-
ue based upon scientific and bust
ness principles made to fit actual,
existing conditions and not prompted
by political expediency or play to the
gallery. The report of the Tariff
Board answers conclusively many
vicious ard misleading charges
against the wooden business made by
paid newspaper and magazine writer's.
1t justifies absolutely the oft-repeated
claim that neither the wool grower
nor the wooden manufacturer is MAX
ing unreasonable profit"
The local managers of the Skowhe-
gan mills decline to be quoted in this
connection, but as proof that the tex.
tile world looks upon the future with
great confidence, they point to the re-
ports of the English wool market
where the prices for the world are
made. These say: THE past week
has been a remarkable one, and in
stead of prices easing as many eX-
pected when the more urgent require
ments of buyers had been met, the
opposite has taken place. The series
of sales now finishing has been the
most noteworthy during the past 20
years. An expected decline of per
cent has been turned into per cent
increase in merinos and from to 10
per cent in cross breds. Something
/ like return to old American form
has been witnessed, for competition
between United States representatives
has been keen enough to drive prices
about a penny beyond European ideas
of values"
1t is of course too soon for the
stimulus. which the prospect of an
honest and impartial revision of
Schedule X has given the wooden in
dustry, to actually make itself felt in
the local mills. This is the season for
making styles and prices upon which
next years contracts will be based,
but as soon as these have been set
tied, larger contracts will be in
order. The opinion is freely express
ed that the stocks of the manufactur-
| ing clothiers have run very low of
late, and that with a rising market
sales will come very easily. The pros
pect means a great deal to Skowhe-
gan, and several other towns in
Somerset county as well.
HINCkIFY