Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-03
Textile Mills of the Future

The next generation will witness a complete revo-
Iution in the textile industry. with the relocation OF
practically all the larger mills in the areas OF pro-
duction, was the prediction Of D.. L. Smith. o leading
New England manufacturer, at a recent dinner in Bos-
ton
when the textile industry was established in New
England over a century ago, practically all cotton ana
wool eas brought by boat from the southern planta-
tions. The industry flourished. Labor was abundant
and cheap; transportation costs low; and the New Eng
land textile manufacturers were able to compete in the
markets OF the world with the mills Of England,
France and Germany.
Since the beginning of the present century a
radical change has been wrought in the industry. Labor
is no longer abundant and cheap. Most Of the cotton
is grown far inland, transportation rates have in
creased. and the cost of production under such condi-
tions has proved a serious handicap to the American
textile manufacturers in competing with foreign mills.
The fact that a protective tariff gives them the comes-
tic trade is all that maintains them. The export OF
textiles has failed to show a normal increase, and
foreign mills are now filling the orders which shouia
come 20 the American mills.
There Is but one way to rectify this condition
the establishment of mills in the areas producing raw
materials and where labor conditions are favorable
and moderately cheap power available. During the
mast ten years there has been a steady decrease IN the
number of spindles operating in New England and a
corresponding increase in the number operating IN the
South. and the most optimistic New England textile
manufacturers frankly admit that within another gen
GRAFTON practically all mills will seek southern loca-
tions.
Texas with its vast acreage Of cotton, its excellent
ports and rail facilities, its favorable climatic condi-
tons and its proximity to a supply of labor such as
the textile industry would require, will eventually be-
come the textile center Of the world. This cannot be
accomplished in q year or a decade. IL VIII De the
Astural result Of the slow movement Of economic fore
~. The gradual elimination Of all wastsge in industry
And the upbuilding Of efficiency upon the highest pos
sible plane. The vast resources of the state in the
shape Of raw materials, cheap power, excellent climatic
conditions and port facilities which will provide con-
nections with the markets Of the world are such that
they cannot fail to attract the textile manufacturer
who realizes that in order 70 meet foreign competi-
sion production and transportation costs must be re-
dueed to the minimum.
Commenting upon the industrial future Of Texas,
John W. Carpenter. president and general manager Of
the Texas Power e. Light company, and chairman OF
the Texas Industrial committee, created by Governor
Moody, SAYS: in the first place cotton mills and
WOODEN mills are the natural industrial partners q
Texas. AS such, they viii serve to promote both urban
and rural prosperity, to diversity Texas development,
to stimulate Texas prosperity. We want no failures
in Texas. No good can come Of abortive industrial ex-
perimeats. II is because success is assured in this
state for properly managed textile enterprises that
Texans. who have studied the situation, are eager for
the relocation of mills within its borders"
Eventually the cotton and woolen mills must
locate themselves permanently in Texas. Economic
conditions demand this, and the sooner it Is done the
better it will be for the industry.