The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-08
BY WILLIAM D. CLARK

BY WILLIAM D. CLARK
 United Press Staff Correspondent) Copyright, 1886, by United Press)
 Hartford, Conn, April 8-(UP)- Textile mills of Putnam and towns to the north, as far as the Massa- chusetts line, provided the most notable exception to the general falling off in employment in cloth plants through the eastern Connec- ticut valley since 1880.
 In that region employment in- creas d from 3,005 in 1880, to 4,30O in the early part of this year, or gain of 43.09 per cent. This com pared with general slump of 8.89 per cent in the general industry over the same period of years.
 The gain was attributed to the unusual advancements made by the Grosvenordale company, large cot ton manufacturers, and the Beld- ing Heminway Corticelli, silk thread producers. The Putnam Woolen company also hit new employment high, with 400 more weavers at work at the present time over and above the peak of 1880.
 Putnam Hard Hit
 In the latter year the industry at Putnam was at its lowest ebb. While towns surrounding, particu- larly to the south, seemingly en- joyed an era of rare prosperity, mills and plants in the northern region of the Quinebaug valley were at a virtual standstill. Forces were skeletoniZed.
 The only possible exception was at the Grosvenordale company at N rth Grosvenordale, manufactur- CTS of high class shirting material. They were even then employing l. 200 workers in their two plants. Gradually this number increased until the concern now operates two shifts day, five shifts 8 week. There are 1850 at work.
 Neither the NRA or the general strike of 1894 hindered this com- pany. The plant suspended during the strike, but the walkout was a sympathetic movement entirely.
 The growth of the Grosvenordale mills produced a favorable effect on the entire indusetry. Located in two small villages, 1t drew its ern- ployes from 8 number of surround ing communities. Virtually every town in the Quinebaug valley prof. tied. The plants produce 36,000, ,000 yards of fine shirting yearly. Its properties, although assessed for $1 ,O0O, ,00O, are valued at many times that and, unlike many other large companies, they still maintain their own mill village.
 Consolidation Aided
 The Bedding -Heminway- Corticelli plant at Putnam owes its expansion to the consolidation of three mills The silk thread producers moved two plants into that city since 1930 from New London and Northamp- ton, Mass. AS result employment rose from 15O to $50 and the con- cern is the city's principal industry
 Woolen mills in surrounding com munities also increased their out put, and payrolls.
 General industry, mainly the manufacturing of needles, employs about 300 in and about Putnam Their properties are valued al $70O,O00.
 Property utilized in the produc. tion of textiles in that region art worth more than $3,500,000.
 Smaller mills, of recent origin have moved into idle plants ant the value of present idle property has been estimated at less thar $300,000.
 The comparative prosperous con- dition in this section also wa. reflected at Middletown, in thu center of the state, where tht Middletown Silk Co.,, now operates three full-time shifts; the Frissel Fabric Co.,. is running on norma schedule; the Russell Manufactur- ing Go, has picked up on receipI of large automotive orders fol