REVIEW OF EMPLOYMENT AND EARNINGS. FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDING OCTOBER 31, 1904. Generally speaking, from the reports made to this office, it is apparent that conditions affecting employment and earnings were slightly better during the past six months than they were at the date of the last report.* As was stated at that time, there was a feeling among manufacturers that the depression was of a temporary character. With the exception of the cotton goods industry, all of the manufacturers visited in October reported that prospects were bright and encouraging and all things promised a revival of industry as soon as the election excitement subsided. The Textile Industries. The worst situation, at the time of our semi-annual visitation, was found in the cotton goods industry. The situation as it stood at the close of last April was further affected, and adversely, by a strike among the cotton mill operatives in Fall River. Only nine mills were in operation at the time of the Agent's visit, viz.: The Fall River Iron Works Mill, Conanicut Mills, Barnaby Mills, Kerr Thread Mills, American Printing Co., Algonquin Printing Co., Sanford Spinning Co., Globe Yarn Mills, and the Stevens Manufacturing Co. All other mills were shut down as the result of poor business and a strike which began July 25 after an announcement by the managements of all the coarse goods mills of a proposed reduction in wages of 121⁄2 per cent. Prior to this time some of the mills had closed and others were running at reduced hours, some three days in the week only, and part every alternate week, in the endeavor to tide over adverse conditions. Since the beginning of the strike, conferences have been held between the representatives of the striking employees and the manufacturers, but no solution of the labor situation was found. The claim of the manufacturers is that with the high price of cotton, it is impossible for them to make goods at a profit in view of the present selling price. As the operatives decline to accept the reduced wages the resumption of work in the mills does not seem probable for the present. The manufacturers claim that the strike has in one way been beneficial to their interests, inasmuch as by shutting down they have been able to sell odd lots of goods that have been Labor Bulletin No. 31, May, 1904, page 124, accumulating for some time and that when the mills reopen it will be with the advantage of clean storehouses. Orders have generally been for small lots of cloth this year, a condition also found in other lines.* The mills of New Bedford have likewise had a very dull Summer, and shut-downs during the Summer months of longer or shorter duration have been resorted to as in Fall River. One of the largest mills has run only four days a week during part of the time. There have been more inquiry and better sales for goods for the past four or five weeks in this city than there were during either the Spring or Summer months, but demand is not over active now. It is predicted by some of the most experienced manufacturers that when the many looms now idle shall start up, prices will stiffen somewhat. A better feeling is reported among the commission houses of New York. In Lawrence, matters have followed the general course observed in other cotton-mill districts. The largest mill was able to dispose of its product during the Summer and up to the present time, so that, although earlier in the season it was a question whether the mill would be able to run during the Summer on full time or not, it happily has been able to do so and is now operating to practically full capacity. Some of the other mills, however, have been closed for longer or shorter periods, one of them for 13 weeks, eight of which were devoted to a rearrangement of the plant. In all lines of cotton manufacture in this city, particularly in the yarn mills, there have been signs of increased activity for about six weeks and in some lines sales are increasing every day, but unless there is a change for the better in selling prices the outlook is not bright. Mills engaged in manufacturing ginghams have been run regularly all Summer, but the product did not begin to move satisfactorily until the first part of September. The mills, with two exceptions, are running practically full; the two referred to as not running full being employed up to 85 and 90 per cent of their respective capacities. In Lowell, business has been very quiet. One of the mills has been closed since July 30, and it is impossible at the present time to state when it will resume operations. One of the officials stated that the closing for any lengthy period works an injury to the employer as well as to the employee, from the fact that the best and most skilful operatives find employment in other places, oftentimes taking the place of those less skilful, so that when the local mill resumes it is obliged to depend upon unskilled labor, and it is several months before it reaches its normal condition, involving a great financial loss to the employer. Lowell mill men state that they are unable to advance the selling value of the product sufficient to meet the cost of manufacturing, even at the present price of raw cotton. In Chicopee, business has greatly decreased. Mills have run only four days a week for the past three months. One started on full time *See report of the Fall River textile strike, page 320. October 3, while the others do not see any prospect for better conditions at the present time. It is considered that the war in the East is the cause of depression, from the fact that most of the local product is for export trade. The following table gives the market quotations of raw cotton for April 8 and October 1, showing also the decreases in amounts and percentages: In general, it may be stated that while the cost of new cotton has decreased during the past six months selling prices have not been at all satisfactory and show no signs of present improvement. Except in Fall River wages have not changed since April. In the manufacture of knit goods, business has been very good during the six months, and the prospects are looking very favorable for its continuance during the rest of the season. Mills are running on full time and up to about 80 per cent of their full capacity. While the cost of cotton yarn has slightly decreased, worsted yarn has advanced, but no change has taken place in selling prices, for the reason that the orders were taken and must be filled regardless of the cost of materials. In the manufacture of alpacas, business has continued about the same as for the previous six months and the prospect is considered very good for its continuance. Mills are running on full time and nearly up to their full capacity. Cost of raw materials has advanced, while selling prices remain practically unchanged. In the manufacture of blankets, business is reported as being very dull. Since July the mills have only been run to about 25 per cent of their full capacity, but they are expecting to increase in a few weeks. In the manufacture of satinets, mills have run on full time, and up to full capacity, but prospects are not looking quite as favorable for a continuation. Orders do not come in as fast as usual at this time of the year, but manufacturers are looking forward for better times after the Fall elections are over. The best grade of tailors' clippings are rather scarce and prices have slightly advanced; otherwise, the cost of raw materials remains about the same. Staple goods are about as active as usual. Mills, both woolen and worsted, are running generally at from 80 per cent of up to full capacity. |