New Britain herald., 1920-12-02
Rumors Are Officially Denied- Plant Stands Heavy Losses
 PILGRIM LECTURE TONIGHT
Monthly Report on Health Conditions Red Cross Membcrship-Post Office Ordcrs-PiIgrim Dollar Is- sucd-Othcr Items

w. Gardner Ford, superintendent of the Bristol kpitting Mills on Whit ing street, officially denied this morn ing that the plant would commence operations the first of the year. Ru- mors to that effect have been circu- lated about the town for some time. MT. Ford also stated that there is no definite time set when the place will open. His view of the present indus trial conditions were on the same lines as those of other manufactur- ing men, As the result of retailers .holding off for lower prices practical ly all of the knitting mills through out the state have either been com pelled to close entirely or go on shorter hours. The Willimantic mills are now running one day week and that for only eight hours. The Bristol mill has a large stock on hand and has eiused to sell at a lower price than quoted before the closing Some small orders have been filled but that is all. The plant has stood some very heavy losses since the closing during the second week in Septem- Der.
 MT. Ford said that this was the first indefinite closing the factory has had since it's starting. The plant was founded in 1887 and has grown steadily since that time. The Bristol garment has a worldwide reputation. The retailers, however. felt that a lower cost must be placed on the garments or a cheaper material used. The officials could not sec the propo- sition of using a cheaper material. and retained the higher prices. Or ders- were cancelled every day amounting to thousands of dollars which necessitated the closing. There are upwards of 175 workers, mostly girls. who, have beep affected. Some of them have obtained employment in surrounding cities and towns.
 In regards to the rumors of open ing Mir. Ford said that the public will be officially notified when the time comes. No one can really state when the place will open; it may be in a month"; should miracles happen. his opinion.
 Health Report.
 pr. J. N Bull, health officer, has compiled the mortality report for the month of November. There were very few serious cases in town despite those~ in nearby cities. There were
 
 thought some of the foreign resi- dents who had recently arrived from Italy, were the cause of this. Scar let fever held an upper hand for a few weeks but most of the cases were of a mild nature. There were five cases. The school children were examined and more than 200 throat cultures were taken as a preventive. A total of fl carriers were found among the children and sent home. They were given care which had a great deal to do with stopping the epidemic. Where were no cases during November A of hard colds hnd grippe ! were treated but they did not develop into anything serious. Influenza seems to have stayed away from the ] town. there being no cases of it re- 1 ported to the health officer
 Rcd Cross Membership.
 The official number of Red Cross | received to date are 539. | The drive and private solicitations have ended. Half of the money re- 1 ceived for the membership will be