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Mill News:
Electronic Edition.

Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.

Text transcribed by Apex Data Services, Inc.
Images scanned by Matthew Kern
Text encoded by Apex Data Services, Inc., Matthew Kern and Melissa Meeks
First edition, 2003
ca. 258K
Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
2003.

        © This work is the property of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text.

Source Description:
(cover) Second Peace and Prosperity Number.
(caption) Mill News. The Great Southern Weekly for Textile Workers. Devoted to the Textile Industries.
82 p., ill.
Charlotte, N. C.
Mill News Print. Co.
1920.

Call number FC677 C85 v.22 no.16 (North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)


        The electronic edition is a part of the UNC-CH digitization project, Documenting the American South.
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Library of Congress Subject Headings

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Revision History:

Illustration

[Cover Page Image]

Page 3

Mill NEWS
DEVOTED TO THE
TEXTILE INDUSTRIES

        

Illustration

[Caption Title] Mill News. The Great Southern Weekly for Textile Workers. Devoted to the Textile Industries.

        VOL. XXII. NO. 16

        CHARLOTTE, N. C., THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1920

        Entered as second class matter at the Post Office at Charlotte. N C

        $2.00 A YEAR

Peace and Prosperity

        A just pride in their work has led some of the cotton manufacturers to tell in this issue of MILL NEWS about their industrial plants and community enterprises. Besides, many of the plants and communities have been visited by special correspondents for this paper, and they have told in these pages what they saw and learned.

        Pages 11 to 75, (both inclusive) are made up of these special articles that can give the reader some idea of the magnitude of the cotton manufacturing industry, especially in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.

        But what these pages portray most forcibly,--as they are intended to portray,--is the progress the industry is making constantly in the building of communities as well as of mills. Each year more mill owners join the march of progress and contribute more liberally of their means toward providing for the domestic contentment of the employes who make up their industrial armies.

        These employes are the armies of industrial peace and prosperity, and while the present condition of the market for cotton goods is entailing losses on many manufacturers, these industrial armies must be housed, clothed, fed and trained--so the building of homes proceeds, and the scope of the mill schools broadens, whether the tide of supply and demand for mill products happens to be bringing fortunes in or carrying losses out.

        And not alone is the praise in these pages confined to those who command. There is shown, throughout, a spirit of appreciation of the loyalty, the skill, and the earnestness of the men and women of the mills In their work the employes have attained a degree of skill that puts them on a level with the artisans in any of the higher trades. And in religious, educational and social life the textile worker of the Southeast is now as good a citizen as is any other artisan, business man or mechanic.

        Furthermore, the special opportunities being provided in the textile mill communities especially for the workers in the textile mills, and their families, are tending to make out of the next generation a large corps of leaders for the industrial and business life of the nation.

        MILL NEWS acknowledges payment by the companies represented in these special pages, for the expenses incurred in gathering, illustrating and publishing what it could not have done without such financial aid,--and the publishers wish for each and every stockholder, official, manager, and worker, a continuation of the peace and prosperity that was commemorated in the First Peace and Prosperity Number of this paper December 25, 1919.

        An index of the companies whose liberality has made this Second Peace and Prosperity Number possible is given below.

SPECIAL INDEX.

(Buyers' Index, Page 82.)

        (Concluded on Page 4.)

Page 4

        

Illustration

Hunter Manufacturing and Commission Co.
58 and 60 Worth St.
New York, N. Y.

World Wide Distributor of Cotton Fabrics.

Visit us at the Fourth Southern Textile Exposition, Greenville, S. C., Sections 374-5-6

Selling Agents for
Southern Cotton Mills
Fabrics for Home and Export


J. H. BAGWELL INJURED IN ACCIDENT.

        East Point, Ga., Oct. 9--J. H. Bagwell, superintendent of the Couch Cotton Mill here, has been in a hospital at Fort McPherson as the result of having been struck by a train while riding in his automobile. The car was demolished and Mr. Bagwell was quite seriously injured. One of his kneecaps was broken in three places, but he is now well on the way to recovery and is able to get around a little on crutches.

        Greenville, S. C., Oct. 9.--The South Carolina Cotton Manufacturers Association will meet in Greenville Tuesday October 19, during the week of the Fourth Southern Textile Exposition, it is announced.

-------------------

        Hope Mills, N. C, Oct. 9.--Rockfish Mills, which were closed down for a short time, resumed operations this week.

Page 5

        

Illustration

        MORE than 40 years in the merchandising and manufacturing of dyestuffs has given us an insight into the intricacies of the many problems with which you are confronted and a wealth of information and experience which is always available to you.

        We feel justified in soliciting your business by virtue of past performances and service, assuring you of our continued earnest desire to co-operate with and serve you.

        Aside from the line of colors made in the U. S. by CONSOLIDATED COLOR & CHEMICAL Co. and CENTRAL DYESTUFF & CHEMICAL Co. we will be glad to procure for you on Import Licenses that may be granted you by the War Trade Board such colors as are available and made by the Farbwerke-Hoechst, Farbenfabriken vorm. Fried. Bayer & Co., Leverkusen, Leopold Cassella & Co. Frankfurt, Kalle & Co., Bieberich, and Griesheim-Electron (Oehler) of Frankfurt. Licenses are granted for colors not made in the United States or not made in sufficient quantities or at reasonable prices. All products brought over on Licenses will be obtained by us at the lowest prices quoted for export to any one or any Government by the manufacturers.

        H. A. METZ & CO., Inc.

        122 Hudson Street, NEW YORK


Page 6

Fair a Big Success

Exhibits in Glenn-Lowry Y. M. C. A. Building
Greatly Admired.

        Whitmire, S. C, Oct. 8.--The community fair held last week in the Y. M. C. A. building was a great success. The big hall lent itself admirably to the decorations in national colors. In the center of the building was the banked exhibit of potted flowers. Under the arch at one corner sat the Glenn-Lowry Y. M. C. A. Concert Band Around the walls in booths were exhibits of all kinds of needle work, garden products, canning, baking, relics, various crafts of the girls' department, and the finished products of the Glenn-Lowry Company.

        Many visitors said that in design, color, and artistic work the ladies' needle-work exhibit was as good as that shown at state fairs. Relics of the past and curios from other countries created much interest. One unique article was a prize given for fancy work at the first state fair in South Carolina. A collection of four hunderd coins was also in a class to itself.

        In the canning exhibit were peaches, jelly clear as crystal, and all kinds of fruit and vegetables. Wonders among garden products were the enormous pumpkins and huge peppers. Cakes, candies, and pies in the cooking booth invited covetousness.. There was a special booth of simple and elaborate work in articles made from the mill cloth. This work was done by the Senior Camp Fire.

        The basketry exhibit by the two Junior Camp Fires and the Hearth Fire Girls was a marvel in design and work. Mounted kodak pictures in sets of fifties showed the many outings and good times of these girls' clubs. One hundred neatly-done pictures were on sale. A corner with pine trees and small tent showed the out-of-door life of the Camp Fire Girls. Ladies in charge of booths were dressed in patriotic costumes and girls in Camp Fire ceremonial dress presided over the girls' work.

        On Friday night of the fair moving pictures were shown illustrating health crusades and anti-tuberculosis campaigns, the manufacture of lace curtains, and the proper canning of fruit and vegetables.

STOPPED ONLY FOR THE FAIR.

        Gastonia, N. C., Oct. 10--Gastonia cotton mills and a number of other plants elsewhere in the county will be closed down this week in order that the operatives may attend the county fair which opens Tuesday and continues all week until Saturday. A sluggish yarn market is also a decided factor with the textile men of the county in making this decision to curtail production substantially. It is a well-known fact that the cotton yarn market is in bad shape, and that there is no brisk demand for the product of local cotton mills. Partial curtailment of from 25 to 33½ per cent has been the order in Gaston county for the past month.

DAUGHTER OF T. A. HIGHTOWER DIES.

        Edgefield, S. C., Oct. 9.--Vivian Everett, two-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Hightower, died on October 2 after a brief illness The little girl's father is superintendent of Addison Mills here. The body was carried to Spartanburg, where funeral services were held and burial took place.

        

Illustration

        THE WHITINSVILLE SPINNING RING CO.
WHITINSVILLE, MASS.
SPINNING RING SPECIALISTS SINCE 1873


        

Illustration

        Lombard Foundry, Machine, Boiler Works
and Mill Supply Store.

        Contractors' Machinery, Supplies and Repairs.

        Wire Cable and Block.

        Barrows, Shovels, Reinforcing Bars, Chains, Etc.

        Cotton, Oil, Gin, Saw, Grist, Fertilizer, Cane, Shingle Mill Supplies.

        Repairs and Castings.

        Boilers, Flues, Stacks, Tanks, Pumps, Pipes and Fittings.

        Gasoline Engines.

        Wood Saws.

        LOMBARD IRON WORKS, AUGUSTA, GA.


        

Illustration

        The Macrodi Fibre Head Warp
Spool

        Durable.

        Economical.

        Added traverse with corresponding increase in yardage--an important feature of this spool.

        Macrodi Fibre Company

        Woonsocket, Rhode Island.


        

Illustration

        Well Drilling and Deep Well Pumps

        We do the engineering, and have had 52 years experience solving water problems satisfactorily for textile mills.

        We have a very efficient system of pumpping that we wish to tell you about. Write for Catalog L.

        Sydnor Pump & Well Co., Inc., Richmond, Va.


        

Illustration

        Cohoes Positive Geared Drive for Slasher Cylinders can be applied to any make of slasher by your own men, and it will avoid strain on the yarn, broken ends and loss.

        It will permit you to run a few ends only, in making samples.

        Cohoes Iron Foundry & Machine Co. Cohoes, N. Y. Makers of Cohoes Single and double headway slashers, copper and brass rolls, size kettles, size pumps, steam traps, freight elevators, tramways.


Page 7

Cotton Mills North and South

Partial List of Users

        LETTERS OF ENDORSEMENT FURNISHED ON REQUEST

        WILLIAM FIRTH, INC.
Joseph J. Smith, Treas.

        200 Devonshire St. Boston, Mass.

Page 8

Mill News

        FOUNDED 1899 BY GEO. S. ESCOTT.

        Published Weekly by MILL NEWS PRINTING COMPANY

        206 East Fifth Street CHARLOTTE, N. C.

        Phone 1847

        Member Audit Bureau of Circulations

        Geo. S. Escott, President. Albert Escott, Editor and Manager Edward G. Rotter, Assistant Editor.

        PRICE--One year, $2.00 ;six months, $1.10; three months, 60 cents. Payable in advance.

        RECEIPT AND CREDIT for payment is shown by date on address label.

        SUBSCRIPTIONS are promptly discontinued when time expires unless we have instructions to continue them.

        CHANGE OF ADDRESS--In requesting a change it is important to give former address in full as well as the new address to which the paper should be sent.

        Subscribers should notice the name label, which shows the date to which the subscription has been paid, and send renewal before the date shown on label, so as not to miss a copy of the paper. Renewals may be sent direct to Charlotte, or handed to our authorized agent at any mill. We have an agent in nearly every Southern cotton mill.

STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION, ETC., REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912,

        Of Mill News published weekly at Charlotte, N. C., for October 1, 1920.

        State of North Carolina,
County of Mecklenburg ss.

        Before me, a Notary Public in and for the State and county aforesaid, personally appeared Albert Escott, who, having been duly sworn, according to law deposes and says that he is the Editor and Manager of the Mill News and that the following is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, management, etc., of the aforesaid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 443 Postal Laws and Regulations, to wit:

        1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are:

        Publisher, Mill News Printing Co.

        Editor, Albert Escott.

        Business Managers, Albert Escott and G. S. Escott.

        2. That the owners are: (owning or holding 1 per cent or more of the total amount of stock.)

        G. S. Escott, Charlotte, N. C.

        Albert Escott, Charlotte, N. C.

        3. That the known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 per cent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other securities are:

        None.

(Signature) ALBERT ESCOTT.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of October, 1920.

M. G. KIRKPATRICK.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1920
RISING VALUE OF THE DOLLAR.

        The general downward tendency in prices of nearly all commodities, may properly be considered as the increasing value of a dollar. Comparing its purchasing power with what it would buy before the commencement of the world war, it is estimated that in May of this year a dollar was really worth only about 38 cents, and that it will now buy about 55 cents worth. Of course, this does not apply to all commodities, but is based on a general average of costs at these several periods.

        Judging by experiences of this and other countries, after passing through such periods of inflated prices in the past, it is to be expected and hoped that in due time the dollar will come up to its full value and command its real purchasing power of one hundred cents, or, in other words, that prices will reach their normal value based on the universal law of supply and demand. It would, however, be disastrous to many business interests if this change in values should be accomplished too suddenly.

        The farmer has made his crop with high priced labor and high priced fertilizers; the manufacturer has made the goods that he still has on hand from high priced material with extremely

Illustration

        Oil is High

        Scientists say that shortage will make it even higher--so it's up to every Mill Executive to cut out every possible waste of Lubricants.

        But Your Mill's Lubrication can be done at even lower cost than in years past by using

        special textile lubricants

        Oil--dripping and spattering all over floors, machines and goods in process of manufacture is always wasteful and expensive. But today, it is doubly so--and NON-FLUID OIL clinging closely to each bearing and giving positive lubrication until the last drop is actually used up--NON-FLUID OIL is today more economical than ever.

        Then, too, NON-FLUID OIL lasts longer in bearings and need not be replaced so often as wasteful oil, saving much of the labor spent in frequent oiling.

        Write today for free testing samples of NON-FLUID OIL and our latest bulletin on the lubrication of textile machinery to be sent free.

        Ample Stocks at Our Branches:

        Atlanta, Ga. Charlotte, N. C.

        New Orleans, La.

        New York & New Jersey
Lubricant Co.

        401 Broadway New York



high labor costs; and the merchant has filled his shelves with goods purchased at high prices with the expectation of profits which could not be realized.

        A very rapid decline in prices is equally disastrous to the laboror, who, as a result, might reasonably expect either to be out of work or obliged to accept comparatively lower wages for his services; and the same would apply also to the store clerk and the salaried man whose employment naturally depends on the general prosperity of the country.

        If the readjustments are brought about gradually, the products of field and factory will be reduced, not altogether by the lowering of wages and salaries but to a considerable extent by adoption of more economical methods of production, and by stopping the leaks that have resulted from the reckless expenditure of an over-supply of cheap money.

        Where labor costs in the manufacture of cotton and woolen goods have increased many fold in the past six years it has not all been paid out in the form of increased wages; but much of it is shown on the books of the manufacturer to be the result of a lower efficiency of the avergae worker, with shorter hours, more idle days and less apparent interest on the part of many operatives in the essentials of quantity and quality of production And similar conditions have been found generally in the store, the office and on the farm, all the cost of which had to be paid for by the consumer.

        It is therefore to the interest of the wage earner, the salaried man and the employer, in this period of readjustment, to co-operate most heartily in every effort to secure the highest possible returns for every investment of labor or capital and thus help to reduce the cost of living with the least possible inconvenience to the producer.

Page 9

Market News

EXPECTING GREATER CURTAILMENT.

        New York, Oct. 11 (Special)--Several prominent commission house men predict that the present week will see a movement for greater curtailment of mill production in the South than has yet been recorded, unless there should be a change in business conditions. The South, they point out, has been in better shape than the mills in the East, for two reasons. In the first place, the Southern mills sold ahead further at the top prices than the Eastern manufacturers. And, in the second place, when it became evident that the market was due for lower prices, the Southern mills met the second-hand situation in New York very quickly and sold as much as they could, in numerous instances.

        The Eastern mills have been at least several cents above the local market--and they have, consequently, not booked much business. For the last few weeks, however, willingness to meet second-hand prices has not helped in selling goods--because price was no inducement. A number of important commission house men say that they can see no alternative but to urge their Southern mills to curtail as much as possible for the time being.

WAITING FOR FIGURES ON DENIMS.

        New York, Oct. 11 (Special)--The market is now watching to see what action will be taken by the large manufacturers of Southern denims in the way of making a price. It is generally known that the present contracts which the Proximity Mills are working on will expire by the end of this month. Of course, in view of what has happened in the market a deep cut from the last prices named for these goods is expected.

        

Illustration

        Money Works!

        ANY finished product represents the labor of money and credit as well as the labor of men.

        Years before a ship loads its first cargo, coal and ore must be mined, steel fabricated, labor paid. The ship earns nothing until it is chartered. It never could have been built without the labor of men, money and credit.

        The vast resources of the National Bank of Commerce in New York are an essential element in commerce and industry.

        National Bank of Commerce
in New York

        Capital, Surplus and Undivided Profits
Over Fifty-five Million Dollars


        

Illustration

        PICKER STICKS--Best N. C. Hickory

        SPOOLS--Wood or Metal Head

        SKEWERS--All Hickory

        LUG STRAPS--Bent Wood

        SCHOOL DESKS--Semi-Steel

        THE IVEY MFG. CO.
HICKORY, N. C.


EASING TENDENCY CONTINUES.

        New York, Oct. 12 (Special).--Easing tendency continues, with prices apparently going lower. The mills are meeting most second hand prices.

        

PRINT CLOTHS.

25 -inch, 55×44, 10.55 6½
27 -inch, 44×44, 9.50 7½
27 -inch, 56×52, 9.00 7¾

        

SHEETINGS. (Net prices, unless otherwise specified.)

31 -inch, 48×48, 5.00 9½
36 -inch, 44×40, 6.15 9
36 -inch, 48×40, 5.50 8½

        

WIDE DRILLS.

54 -inch, 68×40, 2.20 35
54 -inch, 68×40, 1.70 44

        

WIDE SHEETINGS.

60 -inch, 3.90 19
60 -inch, 3.30 22
57 -inch, 4.10 20

COTTON YARN PRICES.

        
Southern Single Warps.
8s 42 56 @57
10s 42 60  
Southern Two Ply Skeins.
8s 43 55 @56
10s 43 57 @58
Southern Two-Ply Warps.
8s 43 56 @57
10s 44 57 @58
Southern Two-Ply Combed Peeler Skeins and Warps.
20s 80 95 @$1.00
24s 85 $1.05 @$1.10
Southern Frame Spun Carded Yarn on Cones, Cotton Hosiery Yarns.
8s 41 56  
10s 42 55  
12s 43 55  
14s 44 56 @57
16s 45 57 @58

        The most news of the Southern mills and mill towns--weekly and regularly--only $2.00 a year. Is your friend a subscriber? Mill News, Charlotte, N. C.

Page 10

Putting Exhibits in Place

        Preparations for Textile Exposition at Greenville Are Well
Under Way.

        Greenville, S. C., Oct. 11.--Exhibits to be shown here during the Fourth Southern Textile Exposition, October 18-23, are being put in place and the big hall is a scene of the greatest activity.

        Several thousand rooms in private homes have been listed to date for reservations made by manufacturers and exhibitors from all parts of the country, the hotel facilities being insufficient to accommodate the crowd.

        J. W. Kirkpatrick, president of the retail merchants' bureau of the Chamber of Commerce, announces that the executive committee will urge the merchant members to decorate their stores for the week of the Exposition. "This work," said Mr. Kirkpatrick, "can be done by each merchant for a very small sum"

        The pageant "Harvest Moon," which is to be given at the United States Public Health Service Hospital on October 21 in connection with the Exposition, will be a strictly Greenville production, as all of the properties used will be made by students in the reconstruction department at the hospital.

        Miss Margaret Shaw of New York, who is directing the pageant, is enthusiastic not only over the prospects for a successful affair, but the manner in which the student-patients have gone about making the costumes and other properties.

        The cloth for the various costumes was woven at Judson Mill and donated by the mill management.

        Other properties, including the huge telescope, were also made in the work shop. This is not a real telescope but is fashioned out of pasteboard and then varnished. Every other article which is to be used in the pageant will be made in the workshop at the hospital.

        More than 150 persons, all of them from the hospital, will take part in the pageant. The glee club which has recently been organized will be a feature of the event. Daily rehearsals are being held.

        In connection with the pageant a minstrel show will be given, many of the leading moving picture stars being impersonated. Motion pictures of the entire affair will be made by the Pathe Company.

        The most news of the Southern mills and mill towns--weekly and regularly--only $2.00 a year. Is your friend a subscriber? Mill News, Charlotte, N. C.

        

Illustration

        LESS WASTE--CLEANER WASTE

        Most manufacturers are adopting
Atherton
Adjustable
Pin Grids
because they will pay for themselves in a short time in the saving of good stock, at the high price of COTTON today.

        ATHERTON PIN GRID BAR CO.

        L. D. Armstrong, President

        GREENVILLE, S. C.

        PROVIDENCE, R. I.


        

Illustration

        COLORS

        Acid--mordant--basic--direct--sulphur

        Intermediates
Hydrosulphites
Sizing Materials

        Cotton Finishes
Turkey Red Oils
Soluble Oils

        Offered by

        H. A. METZ & CO., Inc.

        122 Hudson St. New York

         Boston
Philadelphia

        Chicago
San Francisco

         Charlotte
Providence


        

Illustration

        BESIDES

        Rubber Stamps
WE MAKE LOTS OF
Seals and Stencils
Metal Checks, Plates and Badges
Call on us when you
need anything in
this line.


        

Illustration

        BE COMFORTABLE

        G-E Fans will keep you cool. BUY NOW and be prepared for the warmer days to come. We have a complete stock of these fans on hand and can take care of your needs.

        Attractive proposition for Dealers.

        SOUTHERN ELECTRIC CO.
Baltimore, Md. Richmond, Va.


        

Illustration

        LOMBARD IRON WORKS, AUGUSTA, GA.

        Foundry, Machine, Boller Works and Mill Supply Store. Contractors' Machinery, Supplies and Repairs. Wire Cable and Block. Barrows, Shovels, Reinforcing Bars, Chains, Etc. Cotton, Oil, Gin, Saw, Grist, Fertilizer, Cane, Shingle Mill Supplies. Repairs and Castings. Bollers, Flues, Stacks, Tanks, Pumps, Pipes and Fittings. Gasoline Engines. Wood Saws.


        

Illustration

        GEAR PULLING MADE EASY

        Says the Master Mechanic. The Greb Automatic Grip Puller is a One-Man Puller--Quick Acting, strong and simple in the extreme. May be locked in any desired position. Ten Days' trial. If your jobber does not have them we will send you one. Try it ten days. If not satisfactory return to us and we will refund your money. We also make the Greb Rim Tool.

        The Greb Co., 241 State Street, Boston


Page 11

Johnston Mfg. Co. Charlotte, N. C.

        The Johnston Manufacturing Company is one of the several cotton mill industries located in the Queen City and was built a few years ago by C. W. Johnston, president of the Highland Park Mills R. H. Johnston, the son of C. W. Johnston, has the general management of the mill and during the past few years he has made it a successful institution. The mill makes hosiery yarns from 8's to 20's, combed and carded, and these are sold through the Johnston Mills Company.

        While the mill is comparatively small, having 11,800 ring spindles and 1,400 twister spindles, it employs a thrifty people. Some of them own their homes or have earned a part of the money which has gone through building and loan and other channels to

Illustration

Community House, for Employes Only.


Illustration

Spencer Memorial Church.


help pay for the neat cottages some of them live in and for which they hold unmortgaged deeds.

        The Johnston Mfg. Co. employes will be included in the wonderful development at the old Electric Park for the employes of the Johnston and Highland Park Mills. No mill in the country has a more beautiful location for a community work and the work being done in the way of buildings, swimming pool, lake and play grounds is a thing of marvel. No community house has been erected in the State that is as pretty as the one being completed at this park for mill employes alone. A high fence has been erected around the park and only workers of the mills and their friends will be admitted. The building is brick to the second floor and then it is covered with green shingles. Stone pillars constitute the porch columns and paved walks lead to it from the street. The walls of the building are being finished in beautiful sepia and buff tint and will be like those in the Manufacturers Club in Charlotte. It is fitted up with a lobby or lounging room, reading room, dining room, kitchen, bowling alley, shower baths with hot and cold water, furnace heat, assembly room and motion picture equipment. Between the Community building and bath house is a cement pool. A valley at the back of the building has been turned into a lake and boats have been ordered for the use of the employes.

        A welfare worker has a cottage adjoining the park and will have complete charge of the work. The kitchen and dining room will be utilized in teaching domestic science and other household arts.

        

Illustration

An Employe's Home.

Page 12

Cheraw Cotton Mills, Inc. Cheraw, S. C.

        Robert Chapman, Pres. and Treas.; G. W. Duvall, Vice Prest; C. C. Stokes, Sec'y.

        8s to 16s Fine Quality Hosiery Yarns--Foster Cones--7,000 Spindles.

        

Illustration

One of the Most Modern Mills in the South, Erected 1918.

        

Illustration

Residence of J. L. Fonville, Supt.

        

Illustration

School House and Playground Under Supervision of the Cheraw City Graded Schools, to Which All Pupils of the Village Have Access.

        

Illustration

A Street Scene in Cheraw Cotton Mill Village in Which it Will Be Noted that Ample Room is Given to Each House. Light and City Water in Every Home.

Page 13

Jackson Mills Monroe, N. C.

        H. B. Heath, President

        C. W. Walton, Treasurer

        Manufacturers of Fine Cotton Blankets and Wide Sheetings.

        

Illustration

Jackson Mills, Monroe, N. C.

        The Jackson Mills Company, incorporated in 1913, has the distinction of having never stood idle since that time except on regular holidays. The mills have ten thousand spindles and two hundred looms.

        The community building shown below is provided by the company for entertainments and social features, in co-operation with the Sunday Schools and day schools.

        The Jackson Mills library is a collection of books contributed by the people of the community, and once or twice a week magazines are furnished free of charge to all who apply for them.

        Jackson Mills village is located in the corporate limits of Monroe, which is a prosperous and progressive city with fine graded schools and handsome churches.

        The employes are a fine class of citizens, most of

Illustration

Residence of Supt. O. H. Farr.


them being people from the country near by; and they have developed into skillful workers who take pride in the quality of the product of the mills.

        It is hoped that classes in arithmetic, letter-writing, and other useful things may be organized in the mill village this winter. These classes will use the Community Building which has recently been newly furnished for this purpose. A Reading Club and Debating Society may also be organized later.

        The mills have baseball and basket ball equipment for their employes, and splendid grounds on their own property. The boys and girls take interest in these sports, and gain much pleasure and helpful exercise from them.

        O. H. Farr, the efficient superintendent of the Jackson Mills, is not only an excellent superintendent, but he is a good friend of the people,--working right with them in their Sunday Schools and social life,--and, when there is sickness, he and his good wife are almost as good as doctors and never tiring in their services.

        

Illustration

[Community Building]

Page 14

The Armstrong Group of Mills

    Gastonia, N. C.

  • Armstrong Cotton Mills Company.
  • Dunn Manufacturing Company.
  • Mutual Cotton Mills Company.
  • Piedmont Spinning Mills Company.
  • Seminole Cotton Mill Company.
  • Clara Manufacturing Company.

    Gastonia, N. C.

  • Victory Yarn Mills Company.
  • Winget Yarn Mills Company.
  • Mildred Cotton Mills Company.

    Dallas, N. C.

  • Champion Cotton Mills Company.
  • Monarch Cotton Mills Company.

    High Shoals, N. C.

  • High Shoals Cotton Mills Co.

    Rock Hill, S. C.

  • Wymojo Yarn Mills.
  • Helen Yarn Mills.

    York, S. C.

  • Lockmore Cotton Mills.

        Five years ago Col. C. B. Armstrong was managing only four cotton mills. Today he is president of fifteen. All of these are built and in operation except three, the Mildred and Champion, which are to be built, and the Helen, which is practically finished.

        The capital for the construction of these mills was furnished by Col. Armstrong and the host of men who have faith in his business integrity. There is no foreign capital. And neither was any of it "willed" to Col. Armstrong. He made it himself by keeping everlastingly at it and using his head as well as his hands.

        Nor has Col. Armstrong forgotten how to sympathize with the struggling man. He is like thousands of cotton mill managers today. He wants to see his help do better. And he has helped them,--helped them by assisting them to help themselves. A good many of his employees are stockholders in his mills. The Mutual Mill was built through a building and loan association in order that the employees might take stock and pay for it in small installments. The mill has been running successfully for four years, and there are a number of prosperous employes who struck it lucky during the high war prices.

Able Assistants.

        It would be a physical impossibility for one man alone to build as big an industry as the Armstrong group of mills. Col. Armstrong has had the able assistance of a number of good business men connected with him, and also a host of loyal employees who have made it possible for him to sell a good product. Among these "able assistants" is A. K. Winget, the secretary and treasurer of a number of the mills. Mr. Winget is one of the best young business men in the cotton mill industry. Three of Col. Armstrong's sons are associated with him in the management of these mills. C. C. Armstrong is vice-president and assistant treasurer, and he takes the lead in managing things, along with Mr. Winget. W. R. Armstrong, who is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has charge of the three mills in that state. Raleigh Armstrong, the youngest member of the group, is receiving training to become a cotton mill man. Others having charge of various office departments in the big chain of mills are: W. L. Wetzell, R. W. Stowe, W. B. Roddey, Mrs. T. E. Leavitt,

Illustration

The Tables Are Ready for the Annual Banquet of the Superintendents and Overseers of the Armstrong Mills.


Page 15

Miss Charlie Huss and O. L. Sappenfield, the latter connected with the High Shoals plant.

        The superintendents at the various mills are as follows:

  • W. F. Kincaid, superintendent, Clara Manufacturing Co.
  • N. B. Davis, superintendent, Armstrong Cotton Mills Co.
  • P. P. Huffstetler, superintendent, Dunn Manufacturing Co.
  • B. C. Black, superintendent, Mutual Cotton Mills Co.
  • W. S. Smith, superintendent, Piedmont Spinning Mills Co.
  • S. W. Smith, superintendent, Seminole Cotton Mills Co.
  • H. G. Winget, superintendent, Victory Yarn Mills Co.
  • W. L. Smith, superintendent, Winget Yarn Mills Co.
  • J. L. Gribble, superintendent, Monarch Cotton Mills Co.
  • L. D. Gribble, general superintendent, Monarch and Seminole Mills.
  • W. W. Crenshaw, superintendent, Wymojo Yarn Mills and Helen Yarn Mills.
  • F. C. Wood, superintendent, Lockmore Cotton Mills.

Streets and Repair Work.

        Repair work that is worthy of magazine notice is being done on some of the old style cottages. These are being improved beyond recognition by building bungalow roofs, quaint porches in different styles, the application of a two or three-color scheme of paint tastefully arranged, and otherwise making them modern. From all appearances, one would think they had just been built. Paved streets are laid through most of the villages and asphalt roads connect with the city. Many of the employees own cars. T. E. Leavitt has charge of this repair and street work.

Community Work.

        Five community houses are either completed or in course of construction for the mills in Gastonia. These will give each village a community worker who will look after the needs of the people and give instruction along the lines of physical development. In connection with this work, play grounds are being equipped for the children.

Modern Bungalows.

        The homes erected in the newer mills are modern in every particular, including lights, water and sewerage. They are bungalow in type, and are built after different plans and painted different colors.

        The people make splendid wages in the Armstrong group of mills. In addition to the wages, the employes in some of the mills were given 10 per cent of the profits.

        Some time ago the managers of the Armstrong group of mills voluntarily adopted a 55-hour basis, but when the high prices went higher and higher and the 10 per cent on profits was offered, the employes asked to be put back on 60 hours.

        Paved roads pass through the mill villages of the Gastonia group of mills, and while some of them are some distance from the center of the city, jitney lines have been established for the accommodation of the people.

        

Illustration

Would You Believe it, the Top Cottage was Made into the Bungalow Below?

        

Illustration

Street Scene.--Two Homes Owned by Superintendents.--Community Garage.--Clara Mill Community House (Center).

Page 16

Icemorlee Cotton Mills Monroe N. C.

        Robert Chapman, Pres.; J. H. Lee, Vice Pres.; C. C. Stokes, Sec'y & Treas.

        Spinners of High Grade Yarns 10s to 24s Carded and Combed.

        

Illustration

The Icemorlee Cotton Mills--10,000 Spindles--400 Employes.

        The view presented by the Icemorlee Mills and their pretty village is one of the most attractive in the State. Thousands of dollars has been spent in beautifying the village. The houses are painted in different colors which harmonize with the foliage of the trees and present a pretty contrast with the pure white of the mill and office buildings. All houses in the village are provided with sanitary closets and lighted by electricity, the current of which is continuous for electric irons and other purposes as desired. The water which comes from deep wells and is piped to the houses was recently analyzed by the State laboratory and pronounced perfectly pure.

        

Illustration

In the center front of this group is the office of the Icemorlee Mills, over which are lodge rooms, used free of rent by the several secret societies of the village, and by the Icemorlee Cornet band. At left of this is the residence of Supt. Robt. E. L. Iceman; and the picture on the right is a partial view of one of the village streets.

Page 17

Vivian Cotton Mills Cherryville, N. C.

John J. George, Proprietor

        The Vivian Cotton Mill is owned and directed by John J. George. It manufactures coarse yarns, usually 10s to 14s and prides itself on the excellent quality it produces. The production of the mill averages from 35,000 to 40,000 pounds of yarn weekly and sometimes as high as 45,000 pounds. The most of this yarn is exported to South America. The mill is equipped with 5,380 spindles, and will soon install 2,000 more. The mill has been running steadily day and night for

Illustration

Some of the Several Bungalows Erected at the Viivan Mill Village.


the last three years, and during the war it made the yarn that went into the manufacture of gas masks.

        The workers at the Vivian Mill make good wages. All employes are satisfied. There is a system of prizes given in the mill, which brings out the very best efficiency, and so well is the spinning run under this system that often when a round is made in the mill there will not be a single broken back end, no cotton on the floor, all frames clean, and only one end down.

        Only the best of help is employed in this mill, and people who drink whiskey and are guilty of any immorality either have to reform or leave the mill village. During the vacation of the graded school here in town most of the boys and girls work in this mill, and their parents are satisfied that everything goes all right.

        Since Mr. George has taken charge of this mill a lot of nice, new, roomy, modern bungalows have been built, and ample garden space is provided for all employes. All gardens are ploughed free of charge and all the employes have to do is to plant and hoe their garden truck. Some of the nicest gardens seen in this section are around the Vivian Mill. All the mill houses are furnished with water and lights free, and as soon as the new sewerage system is completed in the town all these houses will be furnished with sewerage connections.

        Mr. George came to Cherryville twenty-seven years ago. At that time Gaston county was called a prohibition county; that is, there were no bar rooms allowed in the county, though whiskey could be sold at government distilleries. At that time there were forty government distilleries in the county, and possibly one hundred or more moonshine distilleries. He organized temperance societies while he was teaching school in Cherryville, and began the fight on whiskey business. He is now mayor of the town and still continuing this fight on blockading and drunkenness. During July, August and September the fines in his court amounted to over $1,100.00. Four blockade distilleries near the town have been broken up, and the mayor is determined to break up blind-tigers.

        Mr. George has many business connections besides being president of the Cherryville Building and Loan Association, and owner and director of the Vivian Cotton Mill. He is president of the Cherryville Real Estate and Improvement Association, treasurer of the N. C. and the U. S. Tin Mining Companies in Lincoln county, second vice-president of the Mauney-Steel Yarn Company, a large cotton yarn selling agency with offices in Philadelphia, Providence, R. I., and Cherryville. This company has made a great success and paid large dividends. He is also financially interested in the Henry River Mill, at Henry River, N. C, and director in several banks. He was chairman of the Lenoir College Endowment Committee last fall and in a few weeks raised over $300,000.00 for the endowment of that college. He owns about forty houses in Bessemer City, has several farms, and is now building a large new residence in Cherryville at a cost of $50,000 or $60,000.

        

Illustration

John J. George, President and
Owner of Vivian Cotton Mill,
Mayor of Cherryville.

        H. D. George, brother of J. J. George, is superintendent of the Vivian Mills. C. A. Farris and George S Fall are in charge of the office and Miss Vada Beam is stenographer.

Page 18

Henderson Cotton Mills Harriet Cotton Mills

Henderson, N. C.

        Henderson, North Carolina, is the home of the Henderson and Harriet Mills, four in number. These mills have trained many an expert mill man and sent them out to become managers and superintendents and overseers of other industrial plants. These are "Little Mother Mills" in Eastern Carolina, to whom several promising mill men point with pride as the place where they learned the business.

        The mills were built by D. Y. Cooper and are under his management, with the aid of his sons and other well known

Illustration

        (1) Harriet Cotton Mills No. 1.

        (3) Harriet Cotton Mills No. 3.


mill men. The officers are D. Y. Cooper, president; Sidney P. Cooper, vice-president; J. D. Rose, secretary; J. B. Owen, treasurer; and Alex Cooper, general manager of the mills. Mr. Cooper assumed charge of affairs some time ago to relieve his father of the strain of business. J. H. Bunn is general superintendent; R. H. Craig, superintendent of Harriet No. 1; and J. D. Cooper, Jr, is superintendent of Harriet Nos. 2 and 3. The product of the Harriet Mills is cones and skeins from 30's to 60's; while the Henderson Cotton Mills make hosiery yarns from 20's to 28's.

        The amount of capital invested and the number of spindles mark these as among the State's largest manufacturing plants. The Harriet Mills are capitalized at $1,264,700, with 57,792 spindles. The amount of capital stock of the Henderson Cotton Mills is $1,010,150, with 43,392 spindles.

        There are more than 500 employes of the mills, and they are a steady, thrifty people, some of whom have been with the mills since they started years ago. They are experts in their line, and co-operate fully with the management,--a co-operation that has insured the success of these thriving plants.

        Comfortable homes are furnished for the people, and

Illustration

        (2) Harriet Cotton Mills No. 2.

        (4) Henderson Cotton Mills.


churches built in their midst. In fact, one finds a church-going people in these villages, and a keen interest shown in Sunday School and religious services.

        Several years ago, D. Y. Cooper started a community work among his people by employing a capable woman, Miss Rose Cheatham who has full charge of the work in all of the villages. She is thoroughly interested in the advancement of the people, physically, morally and educationally, and has established herself in the hearts of the people as a necessary fixture for their happiness and welfare. Under her are various clubs for girls, mothers and boys, looking towards making them better citizens of to-morrow, and the people are taking an active interest in the work she has been doing.

Page 19

THATCHER SPINNING CO. Chattanooga, Tenn. STANDARD PROCESSING CO.

        

Illustration

Plants of Standard Processing Co. and Thatcher Spinning Co.--(Center)

        The Thatcher Spinning Company and The Standard Processing Company of Chattanooga are among the newest and most progressive manufacturing plants of Tennessee, with an intelligent class of operatives under the direction of men who manifest a keen interest in their welfare. Excellent school facilities are afforded by the city graded school, high school and night classes.

        The Standard Processing Co. has capital stock of $400,000. W. Lane Verlenden is

Illustration

Representative Group of Houses for Employes.


president; A. G. Thatcher, vice president; A. H. Thatcher, secretary-treasurer; and P. F. O'Neill, superintendent. The business of the company is the mercerizing, gassing and bleaching of yarns for knitting of hosiery and underwear.

        The Thatcher Spinning Company, with $800,000 capital, has 30,464 spindles for the manufacture of combed yarns for mercerizing. The officers are A. G. Thatcher, president; G. H. Miller, vice president; Herbert S. Thatcher, secretary treasurer; and R. P. Clark, superintendent.

        

Illustration

Representative Group of Houses for Employes.

Page 20

Lola Mfg. Co. Stanley, N. C.

        The Lola Manufacturing Company of Stanley, N. C., has completed the new 10,000-spindle mill, which, in addition to the old mill, makes a total of 14,000 spindles now in this chain. The new mill is modern in every particular. The mills make yarns, cones, tubes, skeins and warps, which are among the best on the market.

        Lola No. 1 was taken over in 1918 by Col. John C. Rankin, J. M. Springs and R. F. Craig, these gentlemen occupying the positions of president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer,

Illustration

Lola Manufacturing Company, Stanley, N. C., Showing Old Mill and the New 10,000-Spindle No. 2 Mill at the Left.


respectively. In fact, Mr. Craig is general manager of the Lola Manufacturing Company and has under his control five other mills.

        After taking the mill over two years ago, the mill and village were given a general renovation. New homes have been built for the employes. These are bungalow in type of construction and are modernly equipped.

        One unusual feature of the Lola Mill is the jitney service operated for the benefit of some employes who live in the country. There are a number of girls and boys living on the farms as far as seven miles from the mill, and a jitney goes for them each morning, and takes them home when work is over.

        Stanley has an excellent school that goes to the 11th grade. It is the only graded school in the county where a business course is taught.

        Mr. Craig is assisted in the office of the mill by his son, Eugene Craig, who is learning one of the South's biggest manufacturing interests.

        General Manager Craig is a man who has worked his way through the mill, and he has a fellow feeling for the boy or girl who works for him. He did his first work in the old mill at Mountain Island, starting in 1895 under W. T. Jordan, who gave him his first start. Leaving there, he went to the Iceman Mill in McColl, S. C., where he remained six months, and then came back with the Nims Mfg. Co. of Mount Holly.

        

Illustration

New Types of Bungalos Erected in Lola Village for Employes, and Modernly Equipped.

Page 21

Carolina Cotton Mills Maiden, N. C.

        

Illustration

Carolina Cotton Mills Maiden, N. C.

        Maiden, North Carolina, may not be mentioned in the tourist's guide book, but it is on the textile map. And one of the reasons for such distinction is the Carolina Cotton Mills. The drafter of the map was kind enough to locate the particular dot of Maiden near the foothills of the Blue Ridge, and in the splendid farming county of Catawba--and right in the midst of the famous "Catawba Yam" district. Catawba County produces a bumper crop of potatoes, but not enough for world consumption. Therefore, there are many of the MILL NEWS readers who have not been fortunate enough to have tasted these delicious yams. Such unfortunates will have to content thmselves with the knowledge that some of their co-workers have been so blessed.

        The Carolina Cotton Mills plant consists of two mills. The first was built about four years ago and the other is just starting. Both are progressive mills. They represent home

Illustration

A Carolina Cotton Mill Home.


capital, built and operated under the management of some enterprising business men of the county. The officers are: W. B. Murray, president; J. C. Whitesides, vice-president; B. M. Spratt, Jr., treasurer, and G. E. Mauney, secretary. Messrs. Spratt and Mauney are the active managers and are assisted by a superintendent who knows cotton mill work. Mr. Spratt is also president of the Maiden Bank and a man of splendid business ability.

From 10-Cent Doffer to "Super."

        Supt. W. L. Heffner, Jr., was initiated into cotton mill work as a doffer for the munificent sum of ten cents a day. That was a big price for a boy in those days. And, oh, yes, he worked for about ten or eleven hours a day. To-day he is superintnedent, a director and a stockholder. And they say he now works from 12 to 15 hours a day. The doffers in Mr. Heffner's Mills make 40 times as much, and they work only as doffers. Therefore, they have play time outside of the mill. In the former days, the doffers were required to sweep, or do something to keep them busy until time for doffing again.

Handsome Bungalow Homes.

        The company has erected some very attractive bungalows, which are well-built and attractive. The homes are equipped with electric lights. Some time ago the town of Maiden, of which the cotton mill employes compose the greater per cent of citizens, voted bonds for a water and sewer system. It will be some months before this work can be completed, but as soon as it is, the Carolina Cotton Mills will install conveniences in the cotton mill homes.

        There are no class districts in Maiden. The mill people represent as much of the town as any other citizens. Their children attend the same graded school, and the people the same churches. Several members of the Carolina Cotton Mill force are officers in the churches.

Recreation and Health.

        The mills do not lack for social life and out of door sports. There is a sixteen-piece band in the village, baseball and basket ball teams, a splendid tennis court, playgrounds for the kiddies, and a large swimming pool is in course of construction. The equipment for the baseball and basket ball teams is furnished by the company.

        The county nurse makes regular visits to the Carolina Cotton Mill village and gives instruction in health and hygiene. Needy cases are always looked after.

        In order to make the cost of living as low as possible for the employes, the company furnishes them homes rent free and sells them wood and coal at cost.

        

Illustration

The Band and Band Stand.

Page 22

Wymojo Yarn Mills Rock Hill, S. C.

        The Wymojo and Lockmore Mills are two of the South Carolina cotton mills owned by the Armstrong interests. They were purchased in 1917 and 1918, respectively. W. R. Armstrong was immediately placed in charge, with offices in Rock Hill, and he has been running them successfully ever since.

        With the change of management have come many improvements in the working conditions in the mills, street improvement, remodeling and repainting of homes, and the adding of more spinning machinery.

        The Wymojo Mill has been increased by 2,500 spindles, making the total now 9,000, and changing from carded to combed yarns. The product is 20's to 30's yarn. The Lockmore Mill will be changed next fall to combed yarns also.

Wymojo Village Improvement

        One of the splendid improvements in the Wymojo village is the laying of cement sidewalks through the village, and the installation of water, lights and sewerage. The houses were all given two coats of paint and improved inside.

The Helen Yarn Mills.

        The Helen Yarn Mills, another plant added to the Armstrong group, was named for Mrs. W. R. Armstrong. It will be ready for operation during the fall months. The capacity will be 2,000 spindles. The machinery has already been installed, and it is practically ready for running.

A Pretty Village.

        The residential section at the new mill is ideally located

Illustration

The Spinning Room of Wymojo Yarn Mills at Rock Hill, S. C.


in a grove nearby. Very attractive bungalows have been erected, and these are equipped with modern conveniences.

        A contract has been given for the erection of a community building and swimming pool for the Wymojo and Helen Mills. Besides, a community worker will be employed to take charge of the instruction work towards better living.

        It is the intention of Mr. Armstrong to make his mill village

Illustration

A Helen Mill Home at Rock Hill.


as attractive as possible. To this end he has employed a landscape artist to lay off streets and a park in the oak grove near the mill. The community building and pool, as well as playgrounds, will be located in the park. It is hoped to make this one of Rock Hill's "show-places."

Page 23

Lockmore Cotton Mills York, S. C.

Fine Schools.

        The Wymojo and Helen Mills are within about two blocks of one of the South's best colleges, Winthrop College, where special attention is laid upon educating young women and training them for teachers. There is in connection with the college the Winthrop Training School, and the children of the mill employes attend this. It takes them through the eleventh grade, and is up-to-date in every particular. The people of the village attend the city churches and mingle in city amusements. The children also get the Winthrop athletic training courses.

Improvements at Lockmore.

        All the cottages in the Lockmore village have been repainted, and the entire village given a renovated and improved appearance. Several new bungalows have been erected, and water and lights have been installed in all the old cottages as well as in the bungalows.

City Schools and Churches.

        The Lockmore Mill is within the city limits of York. There fore the children of the mill village attend the same graded schools as the other children. There is no distinction as to church or school. In fact, the people of the Lockmore Mill represent a good portion of the population and are counted as "citizens." They are a thrifty, steady and saving class. Fully fifty per cent or more of them are saving their money and making good investments.

Living Costs Are Low.

        It sounds rather queer to hear of cheap living these days when everything seems to have gone so high, but in the Lockmore and Wymojo villages, as at most other mills in the South, one finds the necessities of living cut to a minimum.

$9,000 Profit Division in July.

        During July last the employes of the mill were given a 10

Illustration

Another Helen Mill Home.


per cent profit share of the Company's business, and they received a sum total of $9,000.

Superintendents Wood and Crenshaw.

        Superintendent Fred Wood of the Lockmore Mill and Superintendent W. W. Crenshaw of the Wymojo Mill are men who have been recently promoted from overseers in the mills. Mr. Wood has been with the Lockmore since it was built and was promoted last year to superintendent. He formerly worked in the Gaston County Mills. Mr. Crenshaw was promoted about two years ago. Both of these men are "making good" with both employer and employe.

        

Illustration

The Card Room of Wymojo Yarn Mills at Rock Hill.

Page 24

High Shoals Cotton Mill Company

        High Shoals, N. C.

        

Illustration

High Shoals Mill and Dam,--Said to Be the Best Power Development on South Fork River.

        High Shoals is the prettiest place in Gaston County. It is endowed with natural beauty far beyond the average. The mill was built when Gaston County was better known as a whiskey distilling county than as the banner cotton mill section of the South--a reputation which it now enjoys. It is more than an industrial center; it is a quiet resort. High Shoals has the things that tired business men travel miles and spend millions every summer to enjoy. There are hills, wonderful trees, wild flowers, birds, the quiet of nature, and a river running full of fish.

The Mill.

        About a year ago the High Shoals Company was purchased from the Tompkins interests by C. B. Armstrong and A. G. Myers. The mill had an 18,000-ring-spindle capacity, and since, the new owners have added 2,500 twister spindles. There are 540 looms. The output is two-ply yarns and sheetings.

Water Power Development.

        The dam across the South Fork River, which generates power for the High Shoals Mill, is one of the best in this section. The construction of the mill is also of the highest standard. There is a capacity at High Shoals for more than double the amount of power used, with a little more work on the present dam.

Schools.

        High Shoals has one of the best country schools in Gaston

Illustration

Street Scene Showing Cottages and Paved Streets.


county. It has 11 grades and is thoroughly up-to-date in every particular. A main feature is the kindergarten.

Walks, Park and Playground.

        Cement walks have recently been laid throughout the entire village, and electric lights installed in every cottage and in the streets. The homes have been improved also, in other ways.

        The company has put in a complete set of playground fixtures for both young and old. The natural park along the river has been improved by equipping with lights so that it can be used at night.

Pasture For Cows and Hogs.

        The people of the village are noted for their fine hogs and good cattle. The company has a large pasture along the river for the benefit of employes who keep stock. Good gardens and lots of chickens are to be seen, too, around all the cottages. Like all mill employes now, the people make splendid wages. To this end, the mill company encourages saving, and has established a savings account whereby the company takes the savings and pays six per cent, compounded quarterly, instead of the regular four per cent paid by banks. The employes also receive ten per cent of the profits of the mill paid semi-annually, in addition to their wages.

        The officers are: C. B. Armstrong, president; A. G. Myers, vice-president; A K. Winget, secretary and treasurer; and C. C. Armstrong, assistant treasurer. A. Q. Kale is superintendent, and has been superintendent of the mill for 20 years.

        

Illustration

Kindergarten Class.

Page 25

Dunean Mills Greenville, S. C.

        The keynote in the welfare work in the Dunean Mills in Greenville, S. C., is the BABIES. Just at present the company is laying special stress on the health of the chiildren, and they are looked after at the expense of the mill, from the time they are born, when a trained nurse is always present, up to the time when they are school children.

The Day Nursery.

        There is a splendidly equipped day nursery where several nurses attend to the babies left in their charge. Here one finds them of all ages, from the small infant to the romping youngster, some sleeping in the little white beds, some playing in the play room, some smiling, and a few, but only a very few, in tears--in case the nurse puts them down to attend to something needing to be done. Each child is given a bath every day, or as many as are necessary, and cereals and milk are furnished free.

        There is a community building in charge of a housekeeper who keeps it open all the time. It is thoroughly modern in conveniences, steam heated, and has shower baths, class

Illustration

A Few of the Members of the Wide-Awake Club.


rooms, etc. Here community suppers are held four times a year for all the officers of the mill from the highest to all the section hands. It is a sort of get-together meeting and has proved of much value.

        The village has a trained nurse, welfare worker, and splendid school facilities. Domestic science, including cooking and sewing, are taught. A first-aid hospital has been established in the mill for taking care of any accidents, and safeguarding against the slightest injury.

        The village has splendid streets with paved sidewalks, good

Illustration

The Small Girls' Club at Dunean.


homes equipped with water, lights and sewerage, well screened, and these rent for 75 cents a room a month. There are 41 new houses being built.

A Community Cannery, Also.

        The mill conducts a cannery. The canning is done by experts

Illustration

The Living Room in the Dunean Community House.


employed for the purpose, and the canning for employes is done for actual cost.

        The people have splendid gardens. Last February the company planted 1200 fruit trees and 750 shade trees. Prizes are offered for the best premises.

        The popular play ground, fully equipped, is one of the features for the children. There are lodge rooms for the men, an up-to-date drug store with an attractive fountain for the beaux and belles, and a splendid co-operative store and market for the housekeeper.

        Last spring a chautauqua was conducted for the benefit of

Illustration

The Kindergarten at Dunean Mills.


the people, and only the best entertainments were secured. During the summer ten boys were selected who had made the best record in school, and were given a week's vacation at the Greenville Y. M. C. A. camp.

        The company has adopted a unique system of business education among the employes. Each person is furnished an attractive scrap book, and each week a little card is placed in the pay envelope. Each card carries a sermon in a few words. A prize is offered to the one who keeps the most complete and neatest book and presents it at the end of the year. The series is known as "Fifty-two Success Talks."

Page 26

Vance Cotton Mill Salisbury, N. C.

        At the Vance Cotton Mills of Salisbury, North Carolina, many changes have been made within the past year in the way of better homes for the employes, a more attractive village, and in general appearance of property and people.

        The new addition to the mill has been completed, and by the first of the year 5,000 additional spindles will be installed, making the total 15,000.

        The officers of the company are W. F. Snider, president; W. M. Crump general manager; E. B. Neave, secretary and treasurer; and J. G. McCachern, superintendent.

        Several new homes have been erected for the employes. These are of the bungalow type, are supplied with water and lights, double flooring, and are comfortable and attractive. One new home especially is a beauty. It has six rooms, bath, and is equipped with water, lights and gas. The old homes are to be improved and repainted, and are supplied with water and lights.

        W. M. Crump, the general manager of the mill, is taking quite an interest in the general improvement of the mill and the village. To this end he has offered prizes to the families of the village who make the most improvement of their premises.

        Educational advantages are of the best. The Vance Mill is located inside the city, and one of the splendid graded schools is within a couple of blocks of the mill. There is no separation of mill children and city children. Nor is there any distinction between mill and city people in the churches. Domestic science is taught in the school, and the cotton mill girls have the advantage of this splendid training. Lunches are served by the girls at cost and this not only gives them actual training but is also a wonderful convenience to the mothers and children.

        There are six garages in the Vance village, with the same number of cars belonging to the employes. One thing of interest now in these days of impossible city rents when people are paying fabulous sums for just a few rooms and in many cases dingy ones at that, is the fact that the homes furnished the Vance Mill employes rent for 12½ cents a week, and this includes electric light in each room and on the porch, and city water. Some of the people keep cows and chickens, make their own garden produce, and a few raise meat.

        This paragraph is about Ralph Campbell, a thirteen-year-old boy. Ralph is one of four children and has only a mother for support. When he was seven years old he went to school one term. Then he had to stop perhaps to take care of the children while his mother worked. Last year he started to school again and made four grades in one year. Next year he will be in the fifth grade. His teachers say he is one of the brightest boys they have ever taught.

        The county health nurse has done some good work among the employes of the mill. During the past summer she conducted classes in home hygiene and first aid work.

        

Illustration

Views of the School, Homes, Office, and Prosperous Workers at Vance Cotton Mills.

Page 27

Watts Mills Laurens, S. C.

        Watts Mills at Laurens, South Carolina, established long ago a high reputation for fancy shirtings, satins and silk striped voiles, poplins and dimity checks. The company has built up a strong organization of expert weavers, training them from the best native labor of upper South Carolina. These native South Carolinans have acquired the skill of the French weavers of New Bedford. The work in Watts Mills is varied, intricate and interesting for everybody who has a liking for textile art and a desire to become skilled in the production of beautiful fabrics.

        Watts Mills have 984 looms and 43,200 spindles. It is a big modern plant, as can be seen in the picture on this page, and it has been further improved recently with a new opening room and a new humidifier system. The mill was repainted last year inside. Supt. E. G. Jessee has been in charge for many years and keeps the plant in first class condition. His department heads are C. R. Roberts in carding, Floyd Tidwell in spinning, E. A. Franks in weaving, J. C. Clark in cloth room, R. H. Donaldson in patterns and supplies, F. K. Taylor in the power house.

        The Watts Mill village is a suburb of Laurens, and Laurens is the prosperous county-seat of one of the upper South Carolina counties. The employes thus have country life and city life and they have in their own village many modern advantages including electrically lighted homes. The company

Illustration

Watts Mills, Laurens, S. C.--984 looms Making Satin and Silk Stripe Shirtings, Voiles, Poplin, and Dimity Checks.


Illustration

The Watts Mill Village School--Making Industrial Leaders for Tomorrow.


is regrading the streets and laying new sidewalks. A landscape architect is completing plans for the parking of the mill village.

        The workers have a twenty-one piece band, a savings bank, and a splendid graded school, and a number of community societies that help to make life pleasant.

        George M. Wright is president of Watts Mills. He makes his home at Watts Mills and takes a keen interest in the development of the community for the best interests of the employes as well as the stockholders.

Page 28

Newton Cotton Mills Newton, N. C.

        This mill has been overhauled, more looms and other machinery added, and generally improved as to working conditions. A. B. Kuhn, who has been with the mill for a number of years, is secretary and treasurer, and Superintendent W. E. Bacon, a well known fixture in the business, is still on the job.

        From $3,000 a month to $9,000 a week is quite an increase in pay roll, but that is the record of the mill for the past ten or twelve years. Prior to the war the pay roll each week was $3,000. It is three times that now with no increase in capacity.

        The town of Newton is planning a $75,000 High School to be built within the next year or so. The mill children attend the same schools and the people the same churches.

        If one wants to find good gardens and good gardeners, go to Newton. Catawba county was settled by the Dutch, and it is from their ancestors that the people have learned the art of living on small patches. And they live.

        About 50 per cent of the employes of the Newton Mill own their homes, and here one finds them living--actually living--on from two to eight acres of land. Some of them produce practically all their foodstuffs on their acreage. Several of them grow even their own wheat.

        The employes of the mills own more automobiles than all of the other citizens of Newton put together.

        

Illustration

Some of the Reasons for the Happy Life of the Workers at Newton Cotton Mills.

Page 29

Mecklenburg Mfg. Co. North Charlotte, N. C.

        The Mecklenburg Mill is one of Charlotte's progressive industrial plants. It is a mill of several years standing and has always been run on a high plane. The working conditions of the mill are good, and the village one of the neatest little sections in any of the cotton mill centers.

        The Mecklenburg Mill changed hands some time ago when J. D. Norwood, C. I. Jones and M. L. Jackson, of Salisbury, took it over. M. L. Jackson is president; C. I. Jones, vice president; J. D. Norwood is secretary and treasurer. J. T. Jordan is superintendent. The company makes print cloths, operating 14,048 spindles and 350 looms. Under the new management the company has started up night work, thus doubling the output of the mill.

The Village Improvement.

        Every house in the village has been renovated and improved, and electrically lighted. The sanitary conditions are among the best. New flooring was laid, making them double-floored, and the walls and ceilings papered.

A New Village.

        The Mecklenburg Mill has also a most attractive new suburb. This was built for the night help and is located beyond the reservoir of the mill, on a cool wooded knoll. This location was selected for the express purpose of furnishing a cool place for the night help to sleep during the day. Practically every house has a tree, and a free open field for fresh air breezes. So far as the mill is concerned, it is a strictly quiet place, but one finds noises there upon visiting the hill. There is the ever-present wagon with choice things of the season. It was melons the day the writer was there and the people were buying and enjoying. Then, there are children keeping things lively with laughter and song. But most striking was the fact that practically every other house had a graphophone, and they were in full blast.

        The homes erected at Mecklenburg are said to be the best in this section. They are built of good material, well constructed, and equipped with modern conveniences.

Schools and Churches.

        Mecklenburg Mill is just beyond the city, at North Charlotte. There is a splendid school in the village which is run in co-operation with the district. The people attend the churches of North Charlotte and of the city if they prefer The car line runs within a block or two of the village, and the things of Charlotte are theirs for amusement and convenience.

"Living at Home."

        The people have splendid gardens. Some of the finest tomatoes of the season were shown as samples of the product of the village. The people of Mecklenburg Mill keep chickens, some of them raise hogs, and a place has been provided by the mill company at a safe distance from the village proper for the porkers. Fully 30,000 pounds of meat will be raised there this year. Some also keep cows, and make butter.

        

Illustration

Some of the Homes of Employees of Mecklenburg Mfg. Co., at North Charlotte

Page 30

Harden Mfg. Co. Worth, N. C.

        

Illustration

        E. A. Smith, President and Treasurer

        H. C. Dwelle, Secretary

        A. A. Whitener, Vice President

        Phenix Mills Company
Cotton Piece Goods
Kings Mountain, N. C.

        WILSON & BRADBURY
New York and Philadelphia
SELLING AGENTS

        J. R. Young, Superintendent

        J. T. Hull, Overseer Carding

        J. H. Pryor, Overseer Spinning

        G. C. Taunt, Overseer Weaving

        L. E. Holler, Overseer Cloth Room

        J. C. McGinnis, Master Mechanic

        The Harden Manufacturing Company, located at Worth, N. C., is another one of Gaston County's 100 mills. It is under the management of O. D. Carpenter, president and treasurer: S. B. Carpenter, secretary; W. C. Carpenter, superintendent; and Worth Carpenter, manager. The picture below tells the story of an 8,000 spindle mill with its village of comfortable cottages, school and churches, surrounded by nature's beauty, more than words could do. Three competent teachers are employed in the school. A store is operated at cost to bring down the living expenses. Cottages range from three to eight rooms and no rent at all is charged. Many of the employes have been at Worth for several years. They are progressive, live well, and are saving their money. Some of them are property owners. They keep cows, chickens, raise their meat and grow splendid gardens. The wages paid are on a par with other high priced cotton mill labor of to-day.

        

Illustration

The Harden Mfg. Co.'s Mill--The Church--The Village. A Cotton Mill in the Heart of Nature, By Forest, Field and Stream.

Page 31

Highland Park Mfg. Co. Rock Hill, S. C.

        The pay-roll of the Highland Park Manufacturing Company of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has increased 250 per cent since 1914-15, when pre-war prices prevailed. In those days loomfixers could be employed for $10.50 a week, spinners $8 and $9; weavers $10 and $12; and doffers from 60 cents to 75 cents a day and in some cases as high as a dollar. That was in the days when a dollar looked as big as the proverbial cart-wheel. To-day they all draw about three times these rates.

Improved Homes and New Ones.

        The company is erecting about 15 additional bungalows for the employes, five having been completed some time ago. These are equipped with lights and water and are quite an improvement on the older type of mill cottage. Each has a large garden and the soil is especially adapted to gardening. The employes have had some splendid gardens during the past summer. The homes rent for 25 cents a week. A new house within a block of the mill village and on the same street, and not any better built than some of the mill cottages, but perhaps a room larger, sold recently for $5,250.

        The company furnishes wood and coal at cost, or at $8 to $9 a ton. The same coal would cost at the wood yard around $15 a ton.

The Baseball Team.

        The Highland Park Mills baseball team has won 60 per cent of the games played this season. The company furnishes the equipment and the grounds.

The Bath House.

        An up-to-date bath house at the back of the mill is one of the conveniences for the people of the village. It is here that the little children of the village revel in the summer afternoons, taking a refreshing shower, getting cool and clean.

The Tar Heel Manager.

        D. C. Johnston is secretary and treasurer of the mill. He is a nephew of C. W. Johnston, president of the Highland Park chain of mills. He has been working in the office since he was 16 years old. He was born in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and is proud of it. Mr. Johnston is a young man of energy and ability, and upon the retirement of his father, E. H. Johnston, from active business, D. C. Johnston, has been managing the mill.

From Doffer to Super.

        Superintendent C. N. Steed used to doff at the Randleman mill in North Carolina, for 10 cents a day. Then he worked 12 hours a day. His doffers work 55 hours now and receive fifty times as much money as he did then.

        

Illustration

The Big Gingham Mill,

        

Illustration

the Highland Park School,

        

Illustration

and the Company Boarding House at Rock Hill.

Page 32

Cotton Mill Division of The Standard Textile Products Co.

        320 Broadway, New York, N. Y.

        The Plants at Mobile, Ala., Columbus, Ga., McComb, Miss., and Selma, N. C., where the fabrics are produced that go into imitation leathers and Sanitas, a sanitary wall covering that was evolved and developed by The Standard Textile Products Company.

        

Illustration

Mobile Cotton Mills, Mobile, Ala.

        

Illustration

Mobile Cotton Mill Village.

        

Illustration

The Meritas Mills, Columbus, Ga.

        

Illustration

McComb Cotton Mill, McComb, Miss.

        

Illustration

McComb Cotton Mill Village.

        There are three mills in the Meritas group at Columbus, and they employ a thousand people. The Mobile Mills were lately enlarged. Other cotton mills of the company are at Selma, N. C., and McComb, Miss.

        The cloth is finished at Rock Island Ill., Athenia, N. J., Montrose, N. Y., Youngstown, Ohio.

Page 33

Judson Mills Greenville, S. C.

        The Judson Mills of Greenville, S. C., can be classed among the best cotton mill industries of the country. It has a national reputation for making a high grade quality of products. This is, of course, due to three things: Good management, good working conditions, and last, but a most essential factor, good employes who perform their work faithfully.

        The Judson is the only cotton mill in the South running a silk room where the warps are made by the same mill. This department is an unusual feature. The silk is shipped from Japan, and when it reaches the mill in Greenville the silk is in perfect condition, due to the expert packing and baling.

        

Illustration

Future Home Makers.--Girls' Cooking Class at Judson Mills

        

Illustration

New Type of Homes Erected at Judson Mills.

        

Illustration

Making Strong Women.--Out of Door Exercise at Judson Mills.

        

Illustration

Joan of Arc Club, a Patriotic Club Started During the War and Continued For Its Good Work During Times of Peace.

A PLACE TO LIVE.

        Practically nothing has been left undone that is being done by other mills for the comfort, education, moral uplift, physical development and pleasure of the employes. Summarized it might be written in a few words as follows:

  • Splendid homes with modern conveniences,
  • Good streets and sidewalks,
  • Up-to-date school facilities,
  • Strong church organizations,
  • Playgrounds, athletic organizations,
  • Clubs for social development,
  • Community buildings and work,
  • Glee clubs, domestic science clubs,
  • Model market and co-operative store,
  • Established spirit of co-operation between owner and operative.

Page 34

AVONDALE MILLS
OF BIRMINGHAM, ALA.

        TWILLS, SHEETING, CHAMBRAYS, DENIMS
YARNS AND ROPE

    Owning and Operating Mills at

  • Birmingham, Ala.
  • Alexander City, Ala.
  • Pell City, Ala.
  • Sycamore, Ala.
  • Sylacauga, Ala.

        

Illustration

The Avondale Mill Band, Birmingham, Ala., in the Parade of the Rainbow Division, in their First Annual Reunion, Birmingham, July 14, 1920.

Page 35

        

Illustration

        Co