Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-01-11
olson Mills at Edgefeld, operated by

ideas. He felt that the South would
never become really great so long
as it continued merely to produce cot
ton and raw materials. This he preach
ed without ceasing, pointing out also
that in the South there was sufficient
labor ordinarily loafing to furnish a
million workers who could operate
the whole 3O,O00,oOo spindles requir-
ed to work up ten million bale crop
of cotton. His influence is no better
revealed than in the fact that he or
ganized, built as engineer, and fur
nished with machinery, nearly hun
dred cotton mills, not to mention his
activities in other lines of industry.
In addition he established the Glenn
son Textile school, and in the mills
fostered education and encouraged
help to become more enlightened and
skilled. Through his efforts and en-
thusiasm, the impetus was added
which led South Carolina and the
whole South to push forward the ex-
pansion of it's industrial program to
the important position it today holds.
Having considered the actual build
ing of mills, or the external develop
ment, no account would be complete
without telling briefly of the inter-
nal, especially as to the improvement
in working conditions in comparative
ly recent years. 1t has been said that
the fundamental principle of all la
Dor legislation is the conservation of
the human resources. From the Won
dreful changes which have been
wrought in working conditions in the
mills of the state in the past twenty
years, it is evident that the mill op-
orators have realized the principle,
and applied it, without legislation.
1t is a well known fact that the av-
erage mill village of this state, twen-
ty years ago. had very small tene-
ment houses of the toughest lumber
and cheapest constructions, with no
modera sconvehsea ces ~ orking hours
were @ s5
children under twelve years eldSMere
|
employed with. restriction. Even
in 1909 we fint there were 726 chill
dren at work in the mills of the state
under twelve years of age. Today no
child may be employed under four
teen years old, and then only eight
hours a day, ard with the provision
that the child shall attend school for
at least three months during the year.
Formerly little or no recreation was
provided for employees. The refor-
nation however, has completely
changed working and living condi-
tions.
1t is the rule now, rather than the
exception, that all mills in the state
have splendid modern cottages or
bungalows, equipped with electric
lights, waterworks and bathrooms.
Each house has a garden plot and
flower yard. Pasturage and stables
for cows are provided. In addition
we find that every advantage for the
entertainment and enlightenment of
the operatives is provided, such as
churches, schools, community house,
kindergarten, nursery, dispensary and
store, where goods may be bought at
lowest prices. A trained nurse and
welfare worker are employed, and op-
cratives are covered with insurance,
premiums n which are paid entirely
by the mills.
These things are not done by the
mills in a spirit that is paternalistic,
but the keen sighted business men
who operate the mills, have realized
that to educate, enlighten and make
comfortable its people, is most
splendid business asset, in that it en-
courages the employees to respon-
sive attitude, and promotes feeling
of mutual dependence between en-
ployer and employed. This condition
has given South Sarolina an absolute
freedom from strikes and labor
troubles.
To recapitulate in closing, is it not
proven that South Carolina well de-
serves the eminent place she holds?
Has not the development of her tex
tile industry verified the claims of
the two pioneers whose activities and
influence have been described? With
an abundance of raw cotton produc-