Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 November 1886 — LABOR AND LABORERS. [ARTICLE]

LABOR AND LABORERS.

An Encouraging Outlook in the Industrial World—The Utility of Water Power. A Healthy Stimulus in Manufacturing and Building Enterprise—lndustrial Notes. The great activity in business circles during the pact sixty days has stimulated manufacturing and building enterprise in nearly every State in the Union. The greatest activity is in the New England and Middle States. Large mills are to be built at Fall River, one with 20,000 spindles. One will cost $500,000, and run 40,000 spindles. Textile mills are to be erected at Lunenburg, Mass., at Danby, Vt., at Olneyville, R. 1., at West Paterson, N. J., and at several places in the South. New machinery is going into over half of the manufacturing establishments of these States. In fact, such active preparations for an increasing output were never before known. In consequence there is an increasing demand for improved engines, boilers, and machinery, besides electriclight appliances of every make in the market. Electricity is being generally adopted in factories and large shops. A discussion has been started over the relative merits of water-power and steampower. The water-power advocates figure out lhat steam-power, even in quantities—--500 to 000 horse-power—cannot be created or maintained at a cost of less than SSO per horse-power per annum, while waterpower will not ordinarily cost half that much. It is agreed that there are hundreds of places in the United States where valuable water-power can be conveniently utilized at little cost and confer important economic advantages on those who seek this but little used source of power. The makers of wood-working machinery have been encouraged during the past month by a large influx of orders for the latest improved machines for ordinary mill work because of the large amount of work they turn out at less cost than older machines. Several accidents have recently happened from the falling of elevators without safety appliances. The competition is very close between builders. The British boiler users have a system established by which they may consult an association responsible for its advice as to what boiler to buy. This association is responsible for accidents. An English mechanic has found a new steel, or rather a new process for making a better quality of steel than is in use at present. It is good when great toughness is required. The Fall River spinners, when they demanded higher w'ages the other day, were told that the mill had been operated for a year or more past at no profit. Then they asked why so many new mills were to be built. Two large New England worsted mills are using a newly invented German cord, but it is to be materially improved, and the foreign patent will then be purchased. Manufacturers are watching theso experiments with a keen eye, as textile margins are extremely light. Several reading-rooms are in successful operation in New England mills. Southern textile manufacturers are enticing managers of Northern mills into the South by offering them large salaries. The New’ York plumbers cannot start their contemplated co-operative shops because the manufacturers and dealers la plumbers’ materials are organized and will not sell to them. There are inquiries in English markets, so a recent English letter'states, for 100,000 tons of steel rails from the United States and the colonies. All branches of the iron trade are improving, and in consequence the mill-workers and miners are already beginning the discussion of the question of wages. The statement is made that American buyers have inquiries in English makers’ hands for 50,000 tons of blooms and billets. American plate-glass makers have so greatly improved the quality and decreased the price of their products that they have orders on hand for delivery six to twelve months ahead. Two glass-houses were destroyed by fire last week. Steel ties are to be made at Chattanooga, Tenn., for Southern roads. A Belgium firm has just ordered 1,200 feet of belting at St. Louis.