New Britain herald., 1928-12-10
THE RlITs IN PROSPERITY

THE RIFFS IN PROSPERITY Referring to prosperity has be- come a habit. Nothing like it has been ever known. We lead the world in the clink of coin. President Cool idge the other day glowingly refer red to it-for the steenth time. A short time previously Andrew w, Mellon-vocalized the same type of aria, except to use some minor chords about bad business in the textile, coal mining and agricultural industries. Outside of these every body is supposed to be making money. The average intelligent per son knows that is not true, for the charity organizations are still busy, while innumerable bodies in every Christmas gifts for the poor, who are still with us. In this city, as in every other, calls have gone out to have a heart for the unfortunate.
 MT. Hoover. in one of his exalted moments, spoke of prosperity and enunciated the thesis that the day would come when poverty would be abolished. When this happy time will arrive, however was not men toned. It apparently was overlooked that thinkers in the human race had enuncated this doctrine for centuries; yet with a constant ad- vance in civilization the poverty stricken continue to remain a prob lem. Indeed, the only economic diff ference between today and ancient times seems to be that there is more wealth-immeasure more-but quite as many of the poor in purse.
 Returning to the United States let us confine ourselves to the major slumped industries.
 A year ago the management of New England textile mill was ill at ease Orders were coming in with amazing slowness. Employes were working only two or three days week and some weeks even less. One of the girls in the mill asked her foreman for an explanation. She had read about Coolidge prosperity and couldn't understand why it didn't include the textile industry.
 The foreman had his own opinion but didn't care 10 talk. Finally q committee of the girls asked the mill superintendent would he please enlghten them on the distressing situation.
 The superintendent called an in- ! l proceeded to make a speech. a heart to heart talk" as he called if.
 NOW. let's get down to basic facts" he spoke Then he hesitated slightly. but continued after his throat had been duly cleared T don't wish to be personal. but in order to get down to the bare facts-beg pardon, basic tacts-I shall have to ask one question. I wish you would be perfectly frank and as this is our own little confi- dential party. no one need hesitate about telling the truth. The question is this: If there are any women or girls in this room wearing cotton underwear, please hold up your right hand Now don't hesitate; nos body will laugh-it is too serious 6 matter 10 laugh"
 Only half q dozen hands went up,
 There you have the answer as to what ais the textile industry" con- tinued the boss. T am finding no fault with you, but aln merely utilizing you to illustrate general conditions. + you girls yoursely cs don't wear what " make in thls plant. you can rest assured most of the girls elsewhere also are failing to do so. This is the age of silk. or n@ar-silk. or artificial silk. and that IS why the plant IS running on such short time"
 : The second scene is ln I silk plant II the dear girls are wearing more silk than cotton. th" silk bus mess should be booming In d gen. eral way. the silk business is also included in the textile trade.
 One executive strollcd over to an- other and remarked that business was not up to expectations,
 | Trouble with the women nowa-