New Britain herald., 1924-11-25
tions of higher learning of the
Individual Prosperity

huiNiuuH ffOeperity
 That the citizens of the state are prosperous Is evidenced by the fact that their savings deposits amount to approximately $67O,OOQ,OO0 held
 in the savings banks, and in addi-
 ton, 00,00O,000 of savings held in
 the banks and trust companies of
 the state. Therefore, Connecticut
 citizens of the savings account class
 possess liquid assets of over one and
 quarter billion dollars--a condi-
 ton which makes for satisfaction, a
 will to establish financial indepen-
 dence, and to participate in move
 monts for civic betterment. Sum
 marized--a condition which makes
 for industrial stability. high pro-
 ductivity and growth.
 Labor Laws and Productivity
 ''lt is true that the New England mind, as represented by employer,
 as well as employe, will not tolerate
 tatiguing hours of work, nor im-
 proper working conditions. Humani"
 tarianism and good sense is prac- ticed without recourse to the enact-
 nent of restrictive legislation. Re-
 Gardlees Of the fact that Connecti- cut statues do not contain general restrictions as-to the hours of labor.
 except in the case Of women and
 children in certain industries, 42.4
 Of the wage earncrs of the state are
 employed 4S hours or less, while only 2.4 per cent are employed SO
 hours or over. a condition which
 compares most favorably with that
 in the states in which we are in
 lines-notably Illinois. Ohio, Penn
 sylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina,
 South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama.
 Louisiana and Arkansas. A favor
 able comparison, from an humani-
 tartan standpoint, you will say. yet
 most unfavorable when viewed from
 the standpoint of productivity-but
 let us examine the facts. In the
 first place, we must admit that a
 law which permits 60 hours of la
 bor, except in the occupations or
 slight fatigue and in case of emer- gency, cannot long endure. Con- necticut manufacturers are now at the point in regard to hours of la
 bor where the south Is certain to
 arrive shortly. Second, would you as a manufacturer substitute your
 labor forces and your staff of sub executives for the class of labor with which the southern manufacturer Is forced to contend? You would not,
 because you realize that the ideal, social, financial and economic condi- lions offered by state such as Con-
 necticut attracts a better class or operatives whose individual produc- tivity Is greater.
 Productivity Per Employe
 High productivity is based upon
 the type and training of employees
 quite as much as upon the hours Of labor per employe. That the south ern operatives cannot compete with northern operatives must be con- ceded. The employees of the Con- necticut cotton textile mills produce s6,454 worth of goods each an- : nualy, while the employees of the southern mills in each of the vari- ous states of that section produce as follows: Texas, s5.2S6 per empIoye; Georgia, s473O per empoye; Ten 2 nessee, s4,5S4 per employe; Ala N bama, $4,399 per employe and Mis- Y sissippi, s3,352 per employe.
 I "It is true that the variations O classes of goods manufactured 1T s the states named require that cer tain corrections be made to the fig ures that I have just quoted in or der to make it correct to the dol lar. However, it Is safe to con. clude, after a complete study, that diversity is automatically capitalized
 as among the states.
 "Of further interest is the fact that the new cotton mills of the
 south are costing s6Q per spindle while the mills of New England are listed at from s9 to $25 per spindle q 5ulllIlldll Et--tS OlllltClltuI lllliis on the~whoe enjoy more advantage. S ous freight rates than do the south ern mills; they are closer to the a great consumer markets; they are more advantageously located in re. gard 10 fuel supply. Their opera lives have greater production ca paCity, Their future power problem is well on the way toward 8 solu, s ton and their mill and equipment S investment is 80 per cent lower than that Of the southern mills. IT addition they enjoy all the advan' \ teges which accrue to plant To- cated in a prosperous, progressive health and energy giving state.
 "Why than has the impression ! gained ground that the textile in duStry is moving south, that th' metal wooden and paper industries arc moving to the middlewest?
 \ Our investigation seems 10 prov Il that Connecticut and New England N 7ro more than holding their own \ In the order of things We could no d expect to manufacture all textiles NSall metals or all paper goodi
 AS the population Of tn N country increases and as th b demand for a different and q wide k variety of goods is created othe E sections of the country must com k to the aid of New England. Be k cause of sheer physical limitation E New England could not continue { E manufacture majority of the ma E terials and supplies necessary { kl .r,lnt ahn rArnrnnt NAra