Annual report of the Bureau of Labor and Printing of the State of North Carolina |
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®l|^ Htbrary (EaiUttxmx nf Nortly (Sarnltmana C33r N87L i\} . \ o . ^ UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL 00033934976 FOR USE ONLY IN THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION ^' TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT BUREAU OF LABOR AND PRINTING STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA 906 H. B. VARNER, COMMISSIONER M. L. SHIPMAN, ASST. COMMISSIONER c RALEIGH E. M. UzzELL & Co., State Printers and Binders 1906 Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive in 2011 with funding from Ensuring Democracy tinrougii Digital Access (NC-LSTA) http://www.archive.org/details/annualreportofbu1906nort /V ^ ^ 3 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL To His Excellency, Eobest B. Glenn^ Cj ^ Governor. Sik:—In submitting to yon the Twentieth (my sixth) Annnal Eeport of the Bnrean of Labor and Printing, as provided by law, T wish to assure you that the information presented is as complete as it has been possible to ascertain with the facilities available under existing conditions. In the language of a predecessor, I will say: "The appropriation is so small that it is impossible to visit the mines, or to do a good many things that the law requires." However, this report shows a material advancement along industrial lines in the State, and actual conditions existing among the laboring classes of manufacturing districts, indicated by the testimony of the manu-facturers themselves. These statistics indicate the educational and financial condition of operatives in the mills and factories of vari-ous kinds ; wages paid, the hours employed, etc. Also, the author-ized amount of capital invested, number of spindles and looms in operation, power developed, and other facts of general interest to the public. It will be seen from the reports of the farmers that labor is scarce and unreliable to a considerable extent. This is largely attributable to the lack of organization and a just conception of the value of an education which would j)repare our wage-earners for the high-class employment demanded by the scientific farmer of this day and gen-eration. The farmers assert that "wages are high and labor hard to obtain at any price"—due, they suggest, to a desire upon the part of the workingmen to engage in other pursuits and professions. The need of a more adequate knowledge of the duties required at their hands, and the importance of putting forth every endeavor to elevate our citizenship should be impressed upon every class of labor, and I believe a compulsory school law would be a great step forward in the effort to obtain the best results along the line suggested. By this means the rising generation could be better prepared to fill the places of the uneducated and, sometimes, indolent wage-earner of the pres- 'jO ent day. ir 1^ \<r <r '2 ISToRTH Cakolina Labor Statistics. Perhaps the most widely discussed proposition that has been brought to the attention of a considerate people is that of child labor in the mills. As the public is aware, the Legislature of 1903 passed an act prohibiting the employment of any child under twelve years of age in any factory or manufacturing establishment within the State, and that sixty-six hours should constitute a week's work. This law has been instrumental in placing hundreds of children in school who would otherwise have been deprived of that privilege, and I am glad to say that, in the main, the manufacturers have cheerfully cooperated with the State in carrying into effect the provisions of the measure regulating the child-labor question. There may be, and doubtless are, some violations of this law every year, but my obser-vation has been such as to prompt the suggestion that there is as little child labor in ISTorth Carolina as in the ISTew England States, and some of those west of the Mississippi River, that I have visited in person. The major portion of the mill men say they are averse to . the employment of small children in their work, and have put them-selves on record against it and in favor of a compulsory school law, which many believe would be the best solution of this momentous question. Others, although the number is comparatively small, ob-ject to the provisions of the present law, or any further legislation in this regard. They appear not to realize the injury to small chil-dren of constant work '^from early morn to dewy eve," and insist upon being allowed to use their own discretion in regard to employ-ing them. However, a number of the manufacturers have already decreased the hours of labor and others contemplate similar action in the near future. This is a condition much to be desired, and will doubtless be realized at no distant day. There is considerable disinclination on the part of the manufac-turers to respond to the request of the Department for information required by law in the compilation of our annual report. Those who object to filling out the blanks evidently do not realize the importance to the State of the information they are intended to convey. To make a personal canvass of the entire State is impossible with the limited means available, consequently there is evident need for the enactment of a law which will enable the office to secure rejDorts in the manner provided for other departments of the State Government. The con-stantly increasing demand for the reports of this Department indi- Letter of Transmittal,. 3 cates ilv value to the State of the information it disseminates, and empl asizfcs the importance of enlarging its field. The General Assembly of 1901 placed the supervision of all print-ing and binding executed for the State and approval of bills for the same, purchase of stock, and all matters connected with that impor-tant item of expense, under the care of this Department, requiring that the duties connected therewith shall be performed by the Assist-ant Commissioner, in addition to his work in the Department of Sta-tistics, provided in the original act creating the Bureau twenty years ago. ISTotwithstanding this additional assignment of duties upon the Department, demanding the services of one familiar with details connected therewith, no provision has been made for the adequate compensation of an assistant possessing the qualifications necessary in the proper adjustment of these exacting requirements. And although the general work of the Department has materially advanced during recent years, in every particular, the original appropriation remains the same, and should be increased to not less than $5,000. A close observation of the law passed by the General Assembly of 1901, regulating the public printing, has resulted in a saving to the State of thousands of dollars in the reduced cost of production and judicious purchase of stock. And, besides, the Legislature is relieved of a former responsibility which was often perplexing and annoying to the members. The supervision of the printing alone, considering the importance of a proper adjudication of the numerous details thus imposed upon the Assistant Commissioner, justifies a compensa-tion commensurate with the value of this work to the Commonwealth. I would therefore recommend an increase of the salary of the ofiicial upon whom these duties devolve to $1,400 per annum. This would be only a just recog-nition of an actual service rendered, and enable the State to retain in its employ one who is sufiiciently in-formed to meet fully the exigencies of the situation in this regard. It is to be hoped that the Legislature now in session will realize the importance of a due consideration of the above suggestions, in view of which I beg to recommend the enactment of laws embodying the same. 4 !N"oETPi Caeoli^ta Labor Statistics. RECOMMENDATIONS. 1. The enactment of a compulsory school law, or that provision be made for a submission of this question to the qualified voters of each county, town, or township at the earliest date convenient to the authorities and the people, giving due time for a proper presentation of the subject to those who are to pass upon the question. All chil-dren between the ages of six and fourteen years should attend reg-ularly every year the public schools of their respective neighborhood. 2. That no child who is not able to read intelligently and write legibly be permitted to work in any mill or factory, unless a widowed mother or totally disabled father is dependent upon the labor of such child, and has no other means of support. And that no child under fourteen years of age be permitted to work in any factory between the hours of 1 P. M. and 6 A. M. 3. That not exceeding ten hours shall constitute the maximum day's work in the State for all manufacturing establishments. Such a requirement would be nothing more than simple justice to mill operatives, and will not retard the progress of any industry in the State. 4. That all manufacturers and other agencies, of whatsoever kind, addressed for information by the Department in the compilation of its annual report, be required to answer promptly each question fully and accurately to the best of their knowledge and belief. 5. That adequate provision be made to enlarge the usefulness of this Department; especially would I emphasize the justice of an increase in the salary of the Assistant Commissioner to not less than $1,400, on account of the additional and exacting duties required at his hands. 6. That the law designating the Commissioner of Labor and Printing as Inspector of Mines be repealed or sufficient appropria-tion be made to carry out the provisions. Respectfully submitted, J^mQ/OtyX^A^AUL^K^ January 10, 1907. Commissioner. STATE GOVERNMENT. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. Robert B. Glenn Governor Forsyth. Francis D. Winston Lieutenant-Governor Bertie. J. Bryan Grimes Secretary of State Pitt. Benjamin F. Dixon Auditor Cleveland. Benjamin R. Lacy Treasurer Wake. Robert D. Gilmer Attorney-General Haywood. J. Y. Joyner Superintendent of Public Instruction Guilford. Samuel L. Patterson Commissioner of Agriculture Caldwell. Henry B. Varner Commissioner of Labor and Printing Davidson. T. R. Robertson Adjutant-General Mecklenburg. Alfred Williams Assistant Adjutant-General Wake. M. O. Sherrill State Librarian Catawba. James R. Young Insurance Commissioner Vance. A. H. Arrington Private Secretary to Governor Nash. Miss Lillian M. Thompson Executive Clerk Wake. George W. Norwood Grant Clerk Wake. W. S. Wilson Corporation Clerk Caswell. Miss Minnie M. Bagwell Clerk and Stenographer Wake. Joseph E. Sawyer Clerk and Stenographer Wake. E. H. Baker Chief Clerk to Auditor Franklin. Baxter Durham Tax Clerk Wake. Miss F. W. Smith Pension Clerk and Stenographer Wake. W. F. Moody Chief Clerk of Treasury Department Mecklenburg. P. B. Fleming Teller Franklin. H. M. Reece Clerk of Institutions Guilford. Miss M. F. Jones Clerk and Stenographer Buncombe. Hayden Clement Assistant Attorney-General Rowan. Miss Sarah Burkhead Clerk and Stenographer to Atty.-General-—Columbus. A. J. Barwick Chief Clerk to Supt. Public Instruction Lenoir. C. H. Mebane Clerk of Loan Fund Catawba. Miss Hattie Arrington Clerk and Stenographer Wake. Miss C. E. Broughton Assistant Librarian Wake. R. D. W. Connor Secretary Historical Commission Wilson. M. L. Shipman Asst. Com. of Labor and Printing Henderson. Miss Daisy Thompson Clerk and Stenographer Wake. D. H. Milton Clerk to Insurance Commissioner Rockingham. W. A. Scott Deputy Insurance Commissioner Guilford. A. H. Mowbray Actuary Wake. Miss Ida Montgomery Stenographer and Cashier Wake. Miss Stella Jordan Bookkeeper and File Clerk Wake. A. H. Yearby License Clerk Wake. C. C. Cherry Superintendent of Public Buildings Edgecombe. L. H. Lumsden State Standard Keeper Wake. Edmund B. Norvell Enrolling Clerk Cherokee. E. M. Uzzell State Printer Wake. CORPORATION COMMISSION. Franklin McNeill Chairman New Hanover. Samuel L. Rogers Commissioner Macon. E. C. Beddingfield Commissioner Wake. Henry C. Brown Clerk Surry. Stedman Thompson Clerk to Tax Commissioners Wake. MissE. G. Riddick Stenographer Gates. ISToRTH Carolina Labor Statistics. JUDICIAL department. SUPREME COURT JUDGES. Walter Clark Chief Justice Raleigh Wake. Henry G. Connor Associate Justice Wilson Wilson. Piatt D. Walker Associate Justice Charlotte Mecklenburg. George H. Brown, Jr. Associate Justice Washington Beaufort. William A. Hoke Associate Justice Lincolnton Lincoln. Thomas S. Kenan Clerk Raleigh Wake. J. L. Seawell Office Clerk Raleigh Wake. Robert H. Bradley Marshal and Librarian Raleigh Wake. Robert C. Strong Reporter Raleigh Wake. SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES. George W. Ward Elizabeth City Pasquotank. Robert B. Peebles Jackson Northampton. Owen H. Guion New Bern Craven. Charles M. Cooke Louisburg Franklin. Oliver H. Allen Kinston Lenoir. William R. Allen Goldsboro Wayne. Chatham Calhoun Lyon Elizabethtown Bladen. Walter H. Neal Laurinburg Scotland. J. Crawford Biggs Durham Durham. Benjamin F. Long Statesville Iredell. ErastusD. Jones Winston Forsyth. James L.Webb Shelby Cleveland. W. B. Council Boone Watauga. M. H. Justice Rutherfordton Rutherford. Frederick Moore Asheville Buncombe. Garland S. Ferguson Waynesville Haywood. SOLICITORS. Hallet S. Ward John H. Kerr Charles L. Abernethy - Charles C. Daniels- -Washington Beaufort. -Warrenton Warren. -Beaufort Carteret. -Wilson Wilson. Rudolph Duffy Catherine Lake New Hanover. Armistead Jones Raleigh Wake. N. A. Sinclair Fayetteville Cumberland. L. D. Robinson Wadesboro Anson. Aubry L. Brooks Greensboro Guilford. William C. Hammer Ashboro Randolph. S. P. Graves Mt. Airy Surry. Heriot Clarkson Charlotte Mecklenburg. Prank A. Linney Boone Watauga. J. F. Spainhour Morganton Burke. Mark W.Brown Asheville Buncombe. Thad. D. Bryson Bryson City Swam. LAW RELATING TO CHILD LABOR. The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact: Section 1. That uo child under twelve years of age shall be employed or worked in any factory or manufacturing establishment within this State: Provided fuYther, that after one thousand nine hundred and seven no child between the ages of twelve and thirteen years of age shall be employed or work in a factory except in apprenticeship capacity, and only then after having attended school four months in the preceding twelve months. Sec. 2. That not exceeding sixty-six hours shall constitute a week's work in all factories and manufacturing establishments of this State. No person under eighteen years of age shall be required to work in such factories or establishments a longer period than sixty-six hours in one week: Provided. that this section shall not apply to engineers, firemen, machinists, superin-tendents, overseers, section and yard hands, office men. watchmen or repairers of breakdowns. Sec. 8. All parents, or persons standing in relation of parent, upon hiring their children to any factory or manufacturing establishment, shall furnish such establishment a written statement of the age of such child or children being so hired, and certificate as to school attendance; and any parent, or person standing in the relation of parent to such child or children, who shall in such written statement misstate the age of such child or children being so employed, or their school attendance, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished at the discretion of the Court. Any mill-owner, superintendent or manufacturing estaldisbment. who shall know-ingly or wilfully violate the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a mis-demeanor and upon conviction shall be punished at the discretion of the Com-t. Sec. 4. After one thousand nine hundred and seven no boy or girl under fourteen years old shall work in a factory between the hours of eight P. M. and five A. M. Sec. .5. This act shall be in force from and after .January first, one thousand nine hundred and eight. In the General Assembly read three times, and ratified this the 9th day of March. A. D. 1907. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I—CoNDiTTox of Faemebs. II — The Trades. Ill Miscellaneous Factories. IV Cottojnt. Woolen and Knitting Mills. V—FuENiTrRE Factories. VI The Staters Newspapers. VII Railroad Employes. Bureaus of Labor. CHAPTER I. coi^ditio:nt of faemeks. The one great problem is the scarcity of labor. ISTegTo labor on the farm is becoming less reliable every year, and the farmers need to cooperate with each other in a determined effort to attract a desir-able class of immigTants to this section. Statistics recently received at the Department indicate favorable conditions for wage-earners, and the need for more laborers to meet the demands of the agricul-tural classes in the State. The following interesting discussion of agTicultural conditions, past and present, by J. Oscar Morgan, B. A., of the North Carolina College of AgTiculture and Mechanic Arts, is considered of sufficient value to entitle it to a place in this compilation. Professor Morgan says: PROGEESS OF AGRICULTURE DUE TO SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION. In glancing back over the history of our agTiculture, the skilled observer cannot help being amazed at the wonderful transformations which have been brought about in this industry during the past cen-tury. We can truly say at the beginning of the nineteenth cen-tury agriculture was nothing more than a mere process—a process which had been handed down from generation to generation without any material change or marked improvement. With a rapidly growing population and an increased demand for the product of the farm, a change in agricultural methods was abso-lutely necessary. How this change was to be brought about was a problem which perplexed the world. It was realized, however, that to make such a change as would bet-ter the condition of the farming element of our population would be altogether impossible without a more extended knowledge of agricul- 9, 10 ISToKTH Carolina Laboe Statistics. ture itself. The realization led to that spirit of investigation which has been a means by which agriculture has been lifted out of the ruts of a dead past and placed upon a more modern basis. Each branch of agriculture had its thinkers. In entomology the size, the shape, the color, the habits of life as well as the life-history and modes of development of all the injurious insects have been determined and remedies prescribed to prevent their ravages upon the farmers' crops. This also led to a more extended study of crop rotation and crop management, and it is an unques-tioned fact that the agriculture of the future will give to entomology the place it has long deserved. The fact that plants, like animals, are capable of being improved by breeding and proper management and by a study of their environ-ment and adaptations, was also recognized about the beginning of the nineteenth century. To-day we have in almost every agricultural section of the globe investigators studying the soil and its adaptation to plant growth, studying the climate, the plant peculiarities and the best methods of cultivation, and above all, putting forth all of their skill and their knowledge and perseverance in developing those new varieties which will more nearly supply the farmer's future wants and needs. What has been the result of all this expenditure of time and money ? A few instances will illustrate: Fifty years ago all of the macaroni wheat used in this country was imported from foreign markets. American wheat-growers said : "We can't raise it; our climate is not suitable; our soils are not adapted to it; our knowledge is not sufficient." Science stepped in and said, "You can raise it," and what is the result ? Over two mil-lion bushels of this crop are grown annually on our western farms which only a few years ago were barren wastes. The introduction of new varieties of rice in Texas and other parts of the South has resulted in the production of a crop worth millions CojS^dition of Farmers. 11 of dollars and the investment of twenty million dollars in this in-dnstry. A few years ago the cotton in the sea-islands of South Carolina began to die out. The planters appealed for help. A scientist was sent. He found that a fungus gTowth at the root was the cause. He was ordered to spend four years in that locality studying the prob-lem until by selection and cross-breeding he produced a plant that was immune to that disease. The fruit-grower has received his share of this new learning. Prob-lems connected with the production, cold-storage and marketing of fruits have been successfully solved. What hastens and retards the ripening of fruits, the best methods of propagating them, the crossing of varieties and the production of new varieties. All these methods have been worked out and given to the fruit-growers during the past few years. Another branch of agTiculture which has entered upon a new era during the latter part of the last century is the animal industry. While something is known, even to the general public, of the progTess of knowledge in this field, there are comparatively fevv^ who have an adequate conception of the vast array of facts which have been accumulated, and the revolutions which these facts have wrought in promoting the interests of this industry. The beginning of the nine-teenth century almost defines the line at which the old and fantastic doctrines on animal disease began to crumble and to be replaced by facts and scientific principles. Previous to that time the ideas in regard to the structures and activities of the animal body were in nearly every case crude and erratic, and it is not surprising that the conception of diseases were often distracted and strange when viewed from the standpoint of our present knowledge. But what is it that has brought light out of the darkness and order out of the chaos of the preceding centuries ? We have only to answer that it is that spirit of investigation, that earnest seeking after the truth which to-day 12 ISToKTH Caeolina Labor Statistics. characterizes every brancli of agriculture. The microscope was brought into play and the hitherto nnseen world was pried into. The true causes and nature of the destructive animal diseases were deter-mined and remedies put forth to check them. All of this time the breeder had been busy trying to solve the prob-lems of improving the quality and increasing the utility of the differ-ent classes of live-stock. Has he accomplished anything ? Let us see. Up until near the middle of the last century all of our great stock-producing States had been the home of scrub cattle for many genera-tions. Very slight if any improvement could be seen. But later, when the stockman's knowledge had been sufficiently increased for him to understand and correctly apply the principles of breeding, then was the searchlight of improvement flashed upon the live-stock industry, and to-day Illinois, the great central State of the West, produces a perfect hog, with sheep and cattle rapidly conforming themselves to the perfect type. Dairying has also kept pace with the other industries and has be-come a specialty in many parts of the country. In fact it is now regarded as among the most progressive and highly developed forms of farming. This development has all taken place within recent years, and is unmistakably attributed to the art of invention, . the teaching of modern science and the intelligent practice of skilled operators. There is another improvement which stands out prominently in the era of progress, and this is soil improvement. At the beginning of the last century the soil was looked upon as simply a mass of dead, inert matter, about which there was nothing to know. How different to-day ! Investigators have shown us that instead of being lifeless, the soil is a great laboratory in which germ life is found in great abundance, working either for its improvement or impoverishment. The soil has also been studied with relation to its chemical and physi-cal constitution. In the laboratory scientists investigate the relation of plant food to the growth of the crop, and also what physical condi- Condition of Fakmbks. 13 tion of the soil is best suited to the particular crop. Again, surveying parties have been sent out into many States to examine the soil and to make maps upon which are indicated soil peculiarities. This land is marked as suitable for fruit, that section as adapted to tobacco, this for fig, and so on. These surveys reveal the value of the land as well as its deficiencies, what remedies should be applied, and what use may best be made of it. The consideration of these soil investigations leads us to a science which has been intimately associated with almost every line of agri-cultural progress for many years past, and is pointing the way to still greater advancement. We refer now to chemistry. In fact, agricul-ture has often been termed a chemical science. Chemistry in. its rela-tion to the technology of fertilizing materials has pointed out the way for indefinitely increasing the fertility of the soil and of laying for-ever the specter of starvation which has so often been raised to threaten the future of mankind. The true composition of the soil and its rela-tion to plant growth are now known. The methods of utilizing plant food and of conserving it for the coming years have been fully estab-lished. The principles of plant growth and the chemical changes attending it are understood. The laws of animal nutrition have been experimentally elucidated and by their application economy in the use of nutrients is effected. The methods whereby organic nitro-gen is prepared for plant food have been revealed, and some of the ways in which atmospheric nitrogen enters into organic combination are marked out. The application of the principles of chemical tech-nology to the elaboration of raw agTicultural products has added a new value to the fruits of the farm, opened up new avenues of prosperity and developed new staple crops. It is thus seen that chemistry has done a wonderful work in estab-lishing agriculture as a scientific profession and assuring its future against the principal dangers which menace it. 14 JSToRTH Caeolina Laboe Statistics, We have yet to consider that science which is universally conceded to have done more to transform the v^hole field of agriculture than any other science, namely, bacteriolog5\ ISTotwithstanding the fact that it has been only two decades since our scientists have seen the importance and the gTeatness of this field, agricultural bacteriology is to-day the advance ground of research. It has been found that these minute forms of plant life play a very fundamental part in the processes of nature; that the life phenomena of animals and plants are so inex-tricably bound up in the functions of bacteria that without them life processes must soon cease. A knowledge of the natures of these organisms has been a means of revolutionizing the dairy industry. The whole problem of said im-provement is in a very large degree a problem of the control of bac-teria. The farmer cannot cure and preserve his crops in the most economical way unless he can bring about such conditions as are favorable to the development of these germs. These, and a great many other of the most vital problems which are coming up before our agricultural communities, the settlement of which is necessary if agriculture in the future is to hold its own suc-cessfully against opposing forces, are clearly to be settled along the line of bacteriology. In fact, we have reached a point where every educated farmer who wishes to put himself in the proper condition to make the best use of the means at his disposal and profit by discov-eries as they are made from time to time, must have at least a general knowledge of the fundamental principles of bacteriology as they are related to agriculture. Indeed, it is becoming evident that the farmer, even more than the physician, should be acquainted with bacteriology. The physician, in the cure of disease, gains a certain advantage from his knowledge of bacteria, but the farmer is obliged to make use of these agents in a great many of his farming processes. From begin-ning to end the occupations of the agriculturist are concerned in the attempt to obtain the aid of these micro-organisms where they may be Condition of Fabmees. ' 15 of advantage, and in preventing their actions in places where they wonld be a detriment. We see that the agricnltnre of to-day is not a mere process, but a philosophy—a science dependent for its success upon the proper appli-cation of such minor sciences as Chemistry, Bacteriology, Geology, Meteorology, Botany, Agi'onomy, Horticulture, Veterinary Medicine, and Animal Husbandry. When we contrast the condition of agxicultural knowledge of to-day with the nebulous, empirical and illogical theories which character-ized it one hundred years ago, the distance we have traversed seems indeed long, but we should not forget that we are still only on the threshold of knowledge. The achievements of the next century ought to surpass, by far, those which the past one looks upon with pride. 'No doubt that to him who writes the story of the progress of agricul-ture as influenced by scientific research during the twentieth century, will come a feeling of pity for the ignorance which now surrounds us, but he will at least accord to our workers the merit of being emanci-pated from the slavery of opinion and the worship of authority. We have at least made a start, and to the leaders of progress for the next century the agricultural world commits its unfinished work, confident of their integrity and hopeful of the good which they will bring to mankind. The tables that appear in the report are made out from the 578 returns of blanks sent out from this Department to the farmers of the State. The results arrived at represent the opinion of a majority of these farmers. For instance : If we have five farmers reporting from a certain county, and three of them report that the value of land has decreased, while two report that the value has increased, that county is entered on the report as showing a decrease in the value of land. The same operation serves to arrive at the other results of the same table, as well as the tables following. 16 I^OETH CaKOLINA LaBOK STATISTICS. Average Table No. 1 — Showing Condition of Farm Land and Labor by Counties. County. Value of Land,' Increased or Decreased ? BXi 0) increased yes increased yes increased yes increased ! yes • yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - no — yes - yes - no — yes - yes - yes - yes yes - yes yes - no - yes - yes yes yes yes yes Tendency to Larger or Smaller Farms ? smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - larger -- smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - Labor Plenti-ful or Scarce ? scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce smaller 1 scarce. smaller scarce smaller scarce smaller scarce smaller scarce smaller scarce smaller scarce smaller scarce smaller scarce smaller scarce smaller scarce bus C (LI yes — yes — no yes -— no yes --- yes --- no no yes — yes — yes — yes — no yes — yes — yes — yes — no yes -— no yes — yes — - yes — yes — yes --- yes — yes ^— yes - no — yes - yes - yes - no — yes - s '-' c m o h4 bo yes. no. no. no. yes. yes. no. yes. yes. yes. no. yes. no. yes. yes. no. yes. no. no. yes. yes. yes. yes. yes. no. no. yes. no. no. no. same as last year. Condition of Fakmees. IT Average Table No. 1 — Continued. County. Value of Land, Increased or Decreased ? tea Tendency to Larger or Smaller Farms ? Labor Plenti-ful or Scarce? U OS bos 0.5 CO tH hJ bo yes. yes. yes. yes. yes. yes. yes. yes. no. yes. yes. yes. no. no. no. yes. yes. no. no. yes. yes. no. yes. yes. yes. yes. no. yes. yes. no. no. yes. yes. yes. Gates increased - Graham increased - Granville increased - Greene increased - Guilford increased - Halifax increased Harnett increased - Haywood increased - Henderson increased - Hertford increased - Hyde increased - Iredell increased - Jackson increased - Johnston increased - Jones increased - Lenoir increased - Lincoln increased - McDowell increased Macon increased - Madison increased - Martin* increased Mecklenburg increased - Mitchell increased - Montgomery increased - Moore increased - Nash increased - New Hanover ! increased - Northampton 1 increased - Onslow^ 1 increased - Orange 1 increased - increased . increased increased increased increased Pamlico Pasquotank - Pender Perquimans- Person no yes --- yes — yes -— no yes -— yes — yes — yes -— yes -— yes — yes -— yes — yes — yes --. yes --. yes — . yes -- yes — yes -- yes -- yes -- yes — yes -- yes — yes -- yes -- yes -- yes — yes — yes — yes -- yes — yes — smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - smaller - larger -- smaller - smaller - smaller - - smaller - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce . scarce - scarce - scarce - scarce . scarce . scarce scarce . scarce t— no - no - no - no - no - no - no - no no no - no - no no - no - no - no yes - — yes — yes — yes — - yes --- no yes — yes — yes — yes — no yes -— yes -— yes — yes -— no yes -— no yes -— yes — yes - — no yes -— yes — no yes --- no yes — yes — no yes — - no yes -- no * Failed to report; same as last year. t No negro labor in Graham County. 18 IToRTH Carolina Labor Statistics. Average Table No. 1 — Continued. County. Pitt Polk Randolph -— Richmond— Robeson Rocking-ham Rowan Rutherford - Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey Value of Land, Increased or Decreased ? increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased increased yes yes yes . yes yes yes . yes yes . yes yes . yes no -. yes . yes . no -. yes - yes . no - yes - yes . yes . yes yes . yes . yes . yes no - Tendency to Larg'er or Smaller Farms ? smaller smaller smaller smaller larger - smaller smaller smaller smaller larger - smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller smaller Labor Plenti-ful or Scarce ? scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce scarce i. no yes — no yes — no no no yes --- no yes — no yes -— no yes — no yes — no no no yes — no no no no no yes — no no no yes — no no no no no yes — no yes — no no no yes — no no no yes — no no no yes — no yes — no no ^? yes. yes. yes. yes. no. yes. yes. yes. no. no. yes. no. no. no. no. no. no. yes. yes. yes. yes. yes. no. no. yes. yes. no. Condition of Fakmees. 19 Average Table No. 2 — Slioic-ing Wages, Cost of Living, etc. County. Wages. Highest Paid Men. Lowest Paid Men. Highest Paid Women. Lowest Paid Women. Wages Increased Children. Decreased? Alamance-— Alexander -. Alleghany -- Anson Ashe Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick-- Buncombe -- Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland— Columbus— Craven Cumberland - Currituck— Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe - Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates yes yes . yes yes . yes - yes - yes yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - yes - 18.40 23.30 23.56 16.00 38.06 23.15 20.63 22.40 21.23 20.70 21.58 21.00 26.39 32.50 19.50 18.36 19.40 18.50 23.08 23.00 14.93 19.29 21.60 20.16 21.56 20.00 28.17 23.85 19.50 23.21 15.75 16.21 20.90 14.88 24.46 20.00 11.30 12.00 13.49 9.75 12.34 17.18 14.50 13.00 14.08 11.25 15.12 13.00 16.66 19.50 13.00 11.92 11.00 10.08 15.00 12.00 9.80 11.44 13.25 14.62 13.32 10.00 21.83 13.76 13.00 14.11 10.85 11.71 13.50 10.00 14.62 13.00 10.30 11.20 11.48 11.17 14.30 13.98 14.00 12.72 13.22 15.00 11.60 14.95 14.69 19.50 13.00 10.43 12.13 12.32 13.00 14.48 10.40 14.06 12.50 14.04 13.00 16.33 7.20 6.88 7.17 8.25 7.58 11.05 9.95 8.50 9.10 8.00 6.45 13.00 8.88 13.00 10.40 5.88 7.50 7.97 6.50 9.14 8.23 8.56 9.35 10.40 8.42 11.53 13-08 8.73 13.00 6.50 12.63 8.17 13.00 10.40 10.37 7.63 8.50 5.75 15.39 10.40 12.50 9.63 7.40 6.52 6.87 7.67 7.80 9.10 8.95 7.98 8.53 10.40 6.11 13.00 7.88 9.10 10.40 7.93 6.25 6.92 10.40 8.48 6.48 7.61 7.30 9.62 8.68 9.13 8.97 9.10 7.59 10.00 6.70 6.65 6.25 9.11 7.13 ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. nci-eased. no. no. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. 20 ISToETH Carolina Labor Statistics. Average Table No. 2 — Continued. County. Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson— Hertford Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lenoir Lincoln McDowell Macon Madison Martin Mecklenburg- Mitchell Montgomery - Moore Nash New Hanover Northampton Onslow Orang-e Pamlico Pasquotank -- Pender Perquimans— Person Pitt Polk n! o '^ yes — yes --- yes — yes — yes — yes — yes -— yes -— yes — yes -— yes — yes — yes -— yes — no yes — yes — yes — yes — yes — yes -— yes --- yes --- yes -— yes -— yes -— yes -— yes — yes — no yes — yes — yes -— yes — yes -— yes — Wages. Highest Paid Men. Lowest Paid Men. 24.38 24.13 21.00 18.00 23.50 20.80 26.00 19.71 18. 33 19.70 24.50 23.79 17.46 1 18.30 18.00 23.90 25.74 27.09 24.00 19.60 23.73 27.19 19.45 20.82 15.79 24.27 18.85 22.53 18.63 21.83 20.00 23.40 24.71 21.33 20.16 32.50 16.25 12.87 12.00 8.00 10.47 12.58 14.00 12.56 12.67 11.94 12.30 17.33 11.51 14.50 11.84 15.00 17.48 13.02 15.57 14.20 14.73 18.28 11.63 12.68 10.00 19.07 11.69 13.00 11.10 15.30 13.78 14.30 16.40 10.47 13.15 13.00 Highest Paid Women. 12.25 9.67 11.70 6.00 12.87 13. 52 12.50 12.10 12.03 12.52 15.90 13.65 11.92 12.50 15.50 19.48 12.89 14.50 15.80 13.90 17.00 14.00 12. 59 13.23 10.63 13.87 13.38 13.87 10.53 19.50 14.00 11.50 18.75 10.30 13.09 14.50 Lowest Paid Women. 8.15 7.70 8.00 6.97 8.55 6.25 7.34 8.97 9.25 10.43 7.80 7.84 7.25 10.33 8.72 8.89 7.87 9.32 9.50 11.90 8.78 8.23 9.62 6.77 11.27 7.61 9.10 7.14 13.00 12.50 9.10 12.80 6.97 8.48 8.40 Children. 7.64 7.53 6.13 8.67 11.35 7.28 6.50 7.30 7.80 7.76 7.45 8.82 7.34 5.60 7.70 11.20 8.18 8.26 8.05 8.75 9.61 9.79 7.08 7.06 5.76 9.90 8.00 8.10 7.78 12.00 7.50 5.75 11.42 5.67 7.15 6.75 Wages Increased Decreased? increased. increased. increased. increased. no. increased. increased. increased. increased. no. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. increased. increased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. no. increased, increased, increased, increased, increased, increased. Coiv^DiTiON or Fakmees. 21 Aa'erage Table No. 2 — Continued. County. Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham - Rowan Rutherford — Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania- Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington- Watauga Wayne Wilkes — Wilson Yadkin Yancey Wages. Highest Paid Men. yes — yes — yes — yes — yes — yes — - yes — yes — yes — yes -— yes — yes -— yes — yes — yes — yes -— yes — - yes — yes — yes — yes --- yes — yes — ' yes -— yes — 23.86 18.90 19.81 20.61 23.25 24.00 19.68 16.67 20.26 22.45 20.42 24.20 21.96 28.75 18.18 18.10 25.80 20.00 18.55 24.70 15.92 23.73 20.38 21.25 25.80 Lowest Paid Men. 10.74 12.75 12.58 11.56 13.42 16.78 14.05 12.00 12.27 12.44 12.61 13.20 14.60 20.90 11.06 10.00 17.00 7.00 12.45 13.26 10.75 11.66 12.50 10.46 14.20 Highest Paid Women . 14.85 14.55 14.05 11.06 15.86 15.34 13.11 12.67 13.38 10.61 9.58 12.40 12.22 14.95 11.70 9.47 15.70 9.50 15.60 18.75 11.82 12.31 14.23 11.61 12.40 Lowest Paid Women. 7.53 10.60 10.10 7.56 4.75 9.79 10.26 7.47 9.10 7.23 7.20 7.32 7.52 9.53 8.43 6.40 10.62 4.50 13.00 8.13 8.23 8.93 8.34 6.04 7.55 Children. 9.45 8.10 7.67 7.94 12.15 8.26 7.56 7.07 7.73 7.78 6.33 6.63 7.17 9.75 7.73 7.80 4.48 4.50 10.00 8.30 5.94 7.73 8.45 5.96 7.73 Wages Increased Decreased? ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. ncreased. 22 ISToRTH Caeolijsta Labor Statistics. Average Table No. 3 — 'Shoioing Cost of Production. County. Cost to Produce. 500-Pound Bale Cotton. Bushel Wheat. Bushel Corn. Bushel Oats. 100 Pounds Tobacco. Alamance - Alexander Alleg-hany . Anson Ashe- Beaufort— Bertie Bladen Brunswick - Buncombe - Burke Cabai-rus — Caldwell — Camden Carteret — Caswell Catawba — Chatham— Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland— Columbus— Craven Cumberland Currituck— Dare- 40.00 35.00 34.42 29.00 34.00 35.00 29.00 0.84 .77 .81 .85 .73 .63 28.88 40.00 35.00 15.00 30.00 41.00 38.50 37.50 30.14 30.00 29.50 27.60 33.00 0.52 .52 .63 .56 .64 .36 .45 .71 .51 .55 .42 .60 .49 .30 .40 .38 .63 .52 .49 .40 .54 .70 .50 .34 .42 .40 0.39 .31 .34 .34 .30 .28 .41 .36 .33 .29 .40 .33 .25 7.45 6.13 4.00 7.50 6.50 6.75 8.00 7.50 10.00 5.00 5.00 Davidson -- Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe Forsyth Franklin— Gaston Gates 29.00 30.00 33.00 40.00 34.00 41.00 36.18 41.77 5.75 8.00 5.92 10.25 7.33 7.65 7.25 Condition of Faemees. 23 Average Table No. 3 — Continued. County. Cost to Produce. 500-Pound Bale Cotton. Bushel Wheat. Bushel Corn. Bushel Oats. 100 Pounds Tobacco. Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lenoir Lincoln McDowell Macon Madison Martin Mecklenburg - Mitchell Montgomery — Moore Nash New Hanover - Northampton - Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank— Pender Perquimans— Person Pitt Polk 30.83 32.13 30.00 41.00 28.33 45.83 32.00 29.67 30.50 35.66 26.00 30.17 33.75 25.00 31.00 36.31 36.80 32.50 38.43 35.17 34.17 33.00 26.00 33.75 37.50 32.64 28.13 31.50 0.74 .72 .42 .70 .70 .76 .80 .66 .80 .60 .68 .69 .66 .81 .72 .57 1.00 0.54 .46 .48 .46 .67 .48 .40 .47 .52 .42 .30 .49 .76 .29 .45 .53 .53 .48 .36 .41 .48 .63 .57 .52 .57 .50 .64 .57 .69 .40 .42 .35 .44 .45 .41 .45 0.32 .32 .37 .33 .38 .38 .25 .32 .35 .28 .28 .35 .38 8.40 8.20 6.63 6.38 8.75 5.00 5.00 10.00 6.00 11.00 5.00 7.90 5.00 6.00 6.50 10.75 7.00 7.00 10.00 9.14 6.33 6.71 9.00 6.26 24 iN'oRTH Carolina Laboe Statistics. Average Table No» o—Continued. County. Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham - Rowan Rutherford -- Sampson Scotland Stanly . Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania- Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washing-ton -- Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey Cost to Produce. 500-Pound Bale Cotton. 37.50 30.75 36.50 31.00 33.17 29.44 31.67 31.00 30.63 31.81 56.60 30.00 30.67 30.00 32.92 33.13 30.00 Bushel Wheat. 0.60 .50 .75 .82 .72 .76 .70 .92 .81 .77 .79 .99 .82 Bushel Corn. 0.39 .49 .55 .53 .42 .51 .71 .50 .60 .50 .52 .56 .48 .50 .56 .40 .34 .42 .30 .61 .58 .48 .48 .45 .57 Bushel Oats. 0.25 .35 .36 .40 .30 .39 .44 .33 .40 .33 .35 .38 .35 .35 .39 .30 .23 .26 .56 .39 .26 .43 .34 .31 100 Pounds Tobacco. 5.00 18.00 6.83 8.44 6.00 5.67 8.17 6.79 6.44 10.00 16.00 7.00 6.17 6.00 5.50 5.40 6.00 7.13 7.10 7.50 Condition of Farmers. 25 Average Table No. 4- ShovAng Market Price of Crops. County. Present Market Price. 500-Pound Bale Cotton. Bushel Wheat. Bushel Corn. Bushel Oats. 100 Pounds Tobacco. Alamance - Alexander Alleghany Anson Ashe- Beaufort Bertie Bladen Brunswick -- Buncombe -- Burke Cabarrus Caldwell Camden Carteret Caswell Catawba Chatham Cherokee Chowan Clay Cleveland— Columbus— Craven Cumberland Currituck— Dare Davidson Davie Duplin Durham Edgecombe - Forsyth Franklin Gaston Gates 3 55.75 55.42 57.25 55.00 55.63 53.00 55.63 0.95 1.04 1.04 1.18 1.04 1.00 58.00 56.78 56.67 51.65 56.25 57.75 57.28 58.15 39.70 55.00 55.31 56.50 1.00 1.03 1.13 1.04 .97 1.01 1.06 1.02 1.03 .99 1.00 0.70 .78 .85 .81 .96 .64 .78 .80 .73 .83 .72 .85 .83 .63 .70 .77 .81 .78 .75 .63 .75 .77 .75 .70 .81 .60 0.47 .48 .51 .52 .51 .44 .63 .44 .38 .48 .58 .64 .50 9.10 8.78 12.00 18.75 8.00 6.00 6.00 .00 9.33 11.25 10.00 5.00 8.00 57.75 57.50 55.56 57.50 55.71 .99 1.00 56.31 57.50 56.67 .95 .96 .99 1.17 1.06 .68 8.83 6.00 9.30 8.25 7.67 11.67 7.33 26 iN'oB.TH Caeolina Labob Statistics. Average Table No. 4 — Continued. County. Present Market Price. 500-Pound Bale Cotton. Bushel Wheat. Bushel Corn. Bushel Oats. 100 Pounds Tobacco. Graham Granville Greene Guilford Halifax Harnett Haywood Henderson Hertford Hyde Iredell Jackson Johnston Jones Lenoir Lincoln McDowell Macon Madison Martin Mecklenburg - Mitchell Montgomery -- Moore Nash New Hanover- Northampton - Onslow Orange Pamlico Pasquotank— Pender Perquimans— Person Pitt Polk 56.83 56.15 54.58 56.00 56.10 56.50 56.05 54.17 55.63 56.25 55.38 55.65 57.45 58.50 40.00 58.75 57.43 57.17 56.71 55.44 56.25 57.90 55.33 57.13 54.13 56.50 1.01 1.00 1.00 .93 1.00 1.00 .97 1.03 1.04 1.01 1.04 .97 .99 1.03 1.02 1.00 1.05 1.01 55.43 55.63 .95 .93 1.05 0.91 .73 .79 .73 .67 .76 .95 .83 .81 .72 .70 .78 .78 .74 .62 .58 .74 .58 .77 .75 0.58 .58 .59 .50 .50 .53 .48 .57 .45 .40 .57 .50 .56 .50 .50 .50 .55 .54 .55 21.17 8.67 8.50 8.00 10.00 10.00 9.00 22.50 8.00 8.00 10.00 9.50 5.00 11.25 19.58 8.33 7.00 10.00 8.57 8.00 8.50 12.50 8.33 Condition of Taemeks. 21 Average Table No. 4 — Continued. County. Randolph Richmond Robeson Rockingham - Rowan Rutherford- Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania - Tyi-rell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington -- Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey Present Market Price. 500-Pound Bale Cotton. 58.00 56.56 55.66 58.04 56.68 56.34 56.08 58.57 55.42 56.36 55.63 57.25 56.06 54.50 Bushel Wheat. 56.50 52.86 1.01 .78 1.00 1.02 1.00 1.04 .97 1.00 1.00 .99 1.05 1.00 1.00 .99 1.00 .91 1.08 .90 1.04 1.03 .99 1.12 Bushel Corn. Bushel Oats. 0.78 .77 .88 .74 .73 .82 .81 .81 .85 .78 .82 .85 .84 .60 .82 .74 .80 .79 .65 1.04 .84 .79 .80 .73 .82 0.50 .55 .57 .53 .49 .54 .54 .50 .51 .50 .51 .55 .53 .43 .53 .58 .67 .55 .51 .53 .53 .53 .52 .46 100 Pounds Tobacco. 10.00 29.00 8.00 7.91 8.00 10.00 5.75 8.02 7.79 15.75 21.67 7.50 9.00 8.00 10.00 9.50 11.00 8.50 8.36 10.00 28 ISToRTH Carolina Labor StatisticsI Average Table No. 5 — Showing Cost, County. Cotton. Wheat. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Prifce. i Profit. Alamance Alexander $ 40.00 35.00 $ 55.75 55.42 $ 15.75 20.42 $ 0.84 .77 .81 .85 .73 $ 0.95 1.04 1.04 1.18 1.04 $ 0.11 .27 .23 .33 .31 .37 34.42 57.25 22.83 29.00 34.00 35.00 29.00 55.00 55.63 53.00 55.63 26.00 21.63 18.00 26.63 Bertie - — 1 1 Bladen - - - - - - - _ . Brunswick -- - - _ _ _ .85 .73 .95 .85 1.00 1.03 1.13 1.04 .15 .30 .18 .19 Burke - 28.88 40.00 35.00 15.00 30.00 58.00 56.78 56.67 51.65 56.25 29.12 16.78 21.67 36.65 26.25 Caldwell- - .._ - Camden -. Carteret _ _ . .56 .79 .76 .78 .97 1.01 1.06 1.02 .41 .22 .30 .24 41.00 38.50 57.75 57.28 16.75 18.78 Cherokee Chowan -- _ - . 37.50 55.20 17.70 Clay — __ - .98 .78 .25 .40 .68 1.03 .99 1.00 .89 1.00 .05 .21 .75 .49 .32 30.14 30.00 29.50 27.60 33.00 58.15 39.75 55.00 55.31 56.50 28.01 9.75 25.50 27.71 Currituck — 23.50 -- _ . . _ Dare - - - _ 29.00 30.00 33.00 40.00 34.00 57.75 57.50 55.56 57.50 55.71 28.75 27.50 22.56 17.50 21.71 .70 .50 .99 1.00 .29 .50 Duplin _ . .63 .67 .72 .92 .82 .40 .74^ .95 .96 .99 1.17 1.06 .68 1.01 .32 .29 .27 .25 .24 .28 .27 Edgecombe Forsyth - _ _ _ 41.00 36.18 41.77 56.31 57.50 56.67 15.31 21.32 Gates- 14.90 Graham Condition of Farmers. 29 Price and Profit on Products by Counties. Com. Cost. Price. Profit. 0.52 .52 .63 .56 .64 .36 .45 .71 .51 .55 .42 .60 .49 .30 .40 .38 .63 .52 .49 .40 .54 .70 .50 .34 .42 .40 0.70 .78 .85 .81 .96 .64 .78 .80 .73 .83 .72 .85 .83 .63 .70 .77 .81 .78 .75 .63 .75 .77 .75 .70 .81 .60 0.18 .26 .22 .25 .32 .28 .33 .09 .22 .28 .30 .25 .34 .33 .30 .39 .18 .26 .26 .23 .21 .07 .25 .36 .39 .20 Cost. 0.39 .31 .34 .34 .30 .28 Price. Profit, 0.47 .48 .51 .52 .51 .44 0.08 .17 .17 .18 .21 .16 Tobacco. Cost. 7.45 6.13 4.00 Price. Profit. 7.50 6.50 .22 .08 .05 .19 .18 .31 .25 .19 .15 .15 .18 .13 .12 .20 .40 .29 .23 .10 6.75 8.00 7.38 6.83 7.50 10.00 5.00 5.00 9.10 $ 1.65 8.78 2.65 18.75 8.00 6.00 6.00 8.00 11.25 10.00 5.00 8.00 11.25 1.50 * .75 *2.00 1.84 2.87 3.75 25.00 I 12.50 .72 .75 .81 .75 .76 .71 .81 .82 .63 .91 .26 .35 .33 .35 .26 .18 .16 .30 .25 .37 .29 .25 .35 .23 .37 .37 .45 .35 .28 .32 .50 .49 5.75 8.00 5.92 10.25 7.33 7.65 7.25 8.83 6.00 9.30 8.25 7.67 11.67 7.33 21.17 3.08 *2.00 3.38 *2.00 .34 4.02 12.77 30 JSToRTH Carolina Labor Statistics. Average Table County. Cotton. Wheat. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit. $ 30.83 32.13 30.00 41.00 28.33 $ 56.83 56.15 54.58 56.00 56.10 $ 26.00 24.02 24.58 15.00 27.77 $ 0.72 .42 .70 .70 .76 .80 .66 .80 .60 .68 .69 .66 $ 0.86 .88 1.00 1.00 .93 1.00 1.00 .80 .80 .98 .97 1.03 $ 0.14 .46 .30 .30 .17 .20 .34 Guilford Halifax — Harnett Henderson - _ Hertford 45.83 32.00 29.67 30.50 35.66 26.00 80.17 33.75 25.00 56.50 56.05 54.17 55.63 56.25 55.38 55.65 57.45 58.50 10.67 24.05 24.50 25.13 20.59 29.38 25.48 23.70 33.50 Hyde Iredell .20 .30 .28 .37 Jones- - .- _ __ _ Lenoir-- ----- .81 .80 .80 .68 1.04 1.01 1.04 .97 .23 .21 .24 Madison - - - - .29 Martin — -- __ - _ - 31.00 36.31 40.00 58.75 9.00 22.44 .71 .90 .70 .85 .88 .99 1.03 1.02 1.00 1.05 .28 .13 .32 .15 .17 Mitchell - 36.80 32.50 38.43 57.43 57.17 56.71 20.63 24.67 Nash - 18.28 New Hanover -- - - 35.17 34.17 33.00 26.00 33.75 37.50 32.64 55.44 56.25 57.90 55.33 57.13 54.13 56.50 20.27 22.08 24.90 29.33 23.38 16.63 23.86 .92 1.01 .09 Onslow ----- - . _ .81 .94 .13 Pasquotank - - Pender - - .72 .57 1.00 .60 .50 .95 .93 1.05 1.01 .78 .23 .36 .05 .41 .28 Pitt — -- 28.13 31.50 37.50 30.75 ' 55.43 55.63 58.00 56.56 ' 27.30 24. 13 20.50 25.81 Polk- Richmond Condition of Faemeks. 31 No. 5 — Continued. Corn. Oats. Tobacco. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit. $ 0.46 $ 0.73 $ 0.27 $ 0.32 $ 0.58 $ 0.26 $ 8.20 $ 8.67 $ 0.47 .48 .84 .36 .37 .59 .22 6.63 8.50 1.87 .46 .73 .27 .33 .50 .17 6.38 8.00 1.62 .67 .80 .13 .38 .50 .12 8.75 10.00 1.25 .48 .83 .35 .38 .53 .15 5.00 10.00 5.00 .40 .83 .43 .25 .48 .13 5.00 9.00 4.00 .47 .83 .36 .32 .57 .25 10.00 22.50 12.50 .52 .72 .20 .35 .45 .10 6.00 8.00 2.00 .42 .60 .75 .18 .45 .28 .28 .40 .57 .12 .30 .29 11.00 8.00 *3.00 .49 .79 .30 .35 .50 .15 5.00 10.00 5.00 .76 .84 • .08 .38 .56 .18 7.90 9.50 1.60 .29 .64 .35 5 00 5 00 .45 .70 .80 .89 .25 .27 .36 .30 .31 .39 .43 .59 .53 .13 .28 .14 .53 .53 6.50 11.25 4.75 .48 .79 .31 .32 .52 .20 10.75 19.58 8.83 .36 .73 .37 .26 .46 .20 7.00 8.33 1.33 .41 .67 .26 .27 .50 .23 7.00 7.00 .48 .76 .95 .28 .32 .33 .43 .56 .62 .23 .63 .19 11.50 16.00 4.50 .57 .83 .81 .26 .29 .37 .35 .54 .55 .17 .52 .20 10.00 10.00 .57 .72 .15 .41 .51 .10 9.14 8.57 *.57 .50 .70 .78 .78 .20 .14 .21 .64 .37 .50 .13 .57 6.33 8.00 1.67 .69 .74 .05 .37 .46 .09 6.71 8.50 1.79 .40 .62 .58 .74 .58 .77 .22 .16 .39 .14 .32 .42 .37 .10 .36 .35 .48 .50 .50 .55 .11 .40 .14 .20 .35 .44 .45 9.00 12.50 3.50 .41 .75 .34 .36 .54 .18 6.26 8.33 2.07 .45 .80 .78 .35 .39 .32 .25 .55 .50 .23 .39 .25 5.00 10.00 5.00 .49 .77 .28 .35 .55 .20 18.00 29.00 11.00 32 N'ORTH CAEOLINxi LaBOE, STATISTICS. Average Table County. Robeson Rockingham- Rowan Rutherford -- Sampson Scotland Stanly Stokes Surry Swain Transylvania - Tyrrell Union Vance Wake Warren Washington -- Watauga Wayne Wilkes Wilson Yadkin Yancey Cotton. Cost. Price. Profit, $ 36.50 31.00 33.17 29.44 31.67 31.00 30.63 31.81 37.00 30.00 30.67 30.00 32.92 33. 13 30.00 $ 55.66 58.04 56.68 56.34 56.08 58.57 55.42 56.36 55.83 57.25 56.06 54.50 56.67 56.50 52.86 $ 19.16 27.04 28.51 27.10 24.41 27.57 24.79 24.55 18.83 27.25 25.39 24.50 23.37 22.86 Wheat. Cost. Price. Profit. 0.75 .82 .72 .76 .70 .92 .81 .77 .77 .99 .82 .73 .70 .50 .62 .75 .78 .71 .63 .66 .79 1.00 1.02 1.00 1.04 .97 1.00 1.00 .99 1.05 1.00 1.00 .99 1.00 1.03 .90 1.04 1.03 .99 1.12 0.25 .20 .28 .28 .27 .08 .19 .22 .28 .01 .18 .28 .12 .33 .40 .33 .33 Loss. Condition of Farmers. 33 No. 5—Continued. Corn. Oats. Tobacco. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit. Cost. Price. Profit. $ 0.55 $ 0.88 $ 0.33 $ 0.36 $ 0.57 $ 0.21 $ 6.83 $ 8.00 $ 1.17 .53 .74 .21 .40 .53 .13 8.44 7.91 *.53 .42 .73 .31 .30 .49 .19 6.00 8.00 2.00 .51 .82 .31 .39 .54 .15 5.67 10.00 4.33 .71 .81 .10 .44 .54 .10 8.17 5.75 •2.42 50 81 31 33 50 17 .60 .85 .25 .40 .51 .11 . 1 .55 .78 .23 .40 .50 .10 8.09 8.02 *.07 .50 .82 .32 .33 .51 .15 6.79 7.79 1.00 .56 .85 .29 .38 .55 .17 10.00 15.75 5.75 .48 .84 .36 .35 .53 .18 16.00 21.67 5.67 .50 .60 .10 .35 43 08 .56 82 26 39 53 14 .40 .74 .34 .30 .58 .28 7.00 7.50 .50 .34 .80 .46 .23 .67 .44 6.17 9.00 2.83 .42 .79 .37 .26 .55 .29 6.00 8.00 2.00 .30 .65 .35 .61 1.04 .43 .56 .51 *.05 5.50 10.00 4.50 .58 .84 .26 .39 .53 .14 5.40 9.50 4.10 .48 .79 .31 .26 .53 .27 6.00 11.00 5.00 .48 .80 .32 .43 .53 .10 7.13 8.50 1.37 .45 .73 .28 .34 .52 .18 7.10 8.36 1.26 .57 .82 .25 .31 .46 .15 7.50 10.00 2.50 34 NoETii Carolina Labor Statistics. SUMMAKY. Following will be found a general summary of the information contained in the tables : Table No. 1 showis an increase in the value of land in every county. Fertility of land is reported maintained in eighty-nine counties ; eight report that it is not. Four counties report a tendency to have a larger farm; ninety-three smaller. Every county reports labor scarce. ISTinety-six counties report negro labor unreliable ; one no negTO labor. Sixty-six counties report employment regular ; thirty-one irregular. Fifty-seven counties favor immigration; thirty-seven oppose it, and three do not answer. In Table l^o. 2 ninety-five counties report increase in cost of liv-ing; two report no increase. Highest average wages paid men $21.71, an increase of $1.85 per month over last year; lowest $13.09, an increase of ninety cents. Highest average wages paid women $13.18, an increase of seventy-six cents per month over last year; lowest $8.65, an increase of thirty-seven cents over last year. Average wages of children $8.01, an increase of fifty-six cents per month over last year. Table 'No. 3 shows that seventy-three counties produce cotton at $33.18 per bale of 500 pounds; twenty-four counties do not report. Seventy-seven counties produce wheat at a cost of seventy-three cents per bushel ; twenty counties do not report wheat. Ninety-six counties produce corn at forty-nine cents per bushel ; one county does not report. Eighty-nine counties produce oats at thirty-four cents per bushel ; eight counties do not report oats. Sixty-seven counties pro-duce tobacco at $7.50 per one hundred pounds; thirty counties do not report. Table No. 4 shows present market price of cotton, wheat, corn, oats and tobacco. Table No. 5 shows cost of production, selling price and profit on cotton, wheat, corn, oats and tobacco, upon each of which, with few exceptions, it will be noted that there is a substantial profit. Following will be found letters expressive of the sentiment of the farmers of various parts of the State relative to immigration, and suggestions as to what they think w^ould be beneficial to the laboring classes. Condition of Fakmees. 35 LETTERS FROM FARMERS. Please make any suggestion relative to the needs of wage-earners, and what, in your opinion, would benefit them. Especially would I appreciate your views on immigration and the class of immi-g^ rants best suited to farm labor. tt r, ^t H. B. Varner, Co7nmissioner. ALAMANCE COUNTY. Fault of Wage-earners ; Good Citizens Wanted.—If the wage-earners would be reliable and industrious, so we could depend on them, there is noth-ing to hinder them from getting along well. At their present wages they could soon own homes of their own, as the price we pay them includes board and lodging. The negro has learned to read and has gone to town where he can be in a crowd, work by little jobs and trifle away the most of his time. If the vagrant law was enforced it would do him incalculable good—more than anything that I can now suggest. I do not know what to say about immigration. If we could get white peo-ple who want work and who would make good citizens, I think they would be best for us. But God forbid that the "scum" from the old countries should ever find a lodging-place in the Old North State !—G. E. Stockakd, Saxcrpahaif. Reliable Immigrants Needed.-—Wage-earners need make no cry if they are willing to work. There is always work to do. They can get good wages if they will stick close to business. Economy and good management is all that is needed ; with little education they are safe and doing well. As to immigration, we need working people. The reliable classes who are not afraid of open-air work are needed on the farms. If they will obey our laws they may be helpful to the country ; but if we have a class of immi-grants whom we must watch as though they were criminals, they would be of little use on a farm. Deliver the farmers from tramps, hoboes, beggars, and the like, who will not labor and who are about half-civilized. We have enough of that class. I don't think it would improve our condition to have immigrants to this section, unless it be a class who are useful. We need more labor. We don't need peddlers, fortune-tellers and the like. I am a farmer.—J. C. Whitsell, EIoh College. Modern Machinery- Versus Immigration.—For the immediate develop-ment of the various resources of our country, a good, industrious class of immigration would be desii'able and beneficial ; but the scarcity of farm labor is having one good effect, viz., it compels the farmer to resort to the use of the most improved machinery, which alone causes him to better prepare 36 ISToETH Caeolina Laboe Statistics. his land and improve the same, giving better results. As evidence of this I was at Burlington, N. C, one day last week and saw one firm load twenty-five wagons with farm machinery. With more interest in the way of educa-tion and home attraction to keep our boys and girls from emigrating and keep them interested in some useful employment, by the looks of the large family of small children in nearly every house. I think God's plan of giving us immigrants will very soon supply our needs without running any risk of getting a refuse class of wrecks and slugs. As evidence that the morals of the country are better, with a population of nearly 30,000 inhabitants our county jail has been standing open for the past two months, and our last criminal court only lasted one day. But recently the people of Graham have opened a dispensary, which is much regretted by most of the people in the rural parts of the country. — John G. Clark, Sylvester. Xeep the Negeo.—To give the greatest need of the wage-earner of to-day, I should say that it is constancy to his employment. There is no position but that pays a good dividend if the employee is an expert hand ; but if one works in the cotton mill one week and the next tries to do carpenter work, he is compelled to be a failure. The South is needing more men to work on her farms and in her mills, but I am opposed to the scum of Eastern and Southern Europe being dumped into our fair, untainted land. Without some educational qualification as a test for these immigrants, I am heartily in favor of keeping the negro.—J. P. Wagnek, Eton College. ALEXANDER COUNTY. Wants Law-abiding Citizens.—We think the best interest of wage-earners would be to secure a better education, so as to do intelligent labor on the farm, for there is a vast difference in the price of intelligent labor and igno-rant labor. An expert laborer can get employment easier than an ignorant one and can double his wages. What the wage-earners need is better educa-tion, better morals and less whiskey and a close application to business ; and also try to practice economy and save their money, and, if possible, buy a small farm. If they will comply with these suggestions, prosperity is sure to follow in the wake. Now in regard to immigration, I have this to say : We have enough people in North Carolina to do all farm work if they will do it. We have thousands of loafers, hanging around country stores, whittling on goods-boxes and pitch- 'ing horseshoes. These men have not been properly raised and trained for farm labor. The vagrant law ought to be vigorously enforced. Put them to work. They are parasites, living on the labor of others. They will not leave the State and we have them to support somehow, and I am in favor of working them. There are too many immigrants coming over from Europe here now. They are, to a large extent, criminals and the worst type of citizens, and if they come here they will be social equals with our worst citizens and will be a nuisance to the State. So I would rather have one rattlesnake in the yard than a dozen. I believe in the nationalities of men as much as I believe in seed corn. It is a law of nature that like begets Condition of Taiimers. 37 like, and experience has clearly demonstrated the fact that a large per cent, of the people from the old countries are bad citizens. They come here opposed to our laws, religion, morals and free institutions. Many of them are inhdels. In our opinion, the State Board of Agriculture ought to go slow in inviting this class of people to North Carolina—the scum of Russia, Japan, Hungary, Sweden, Italy, Sicily, and Spain. The best citizens of the old countries to invite are the English, German, French, Irish, and Scotch.—F. C. Gwaltxey, Taylorsville. Immigrants Who Would Be Pkefekable.—I think the laborer in this coun-try has all the advantages he needs, if he knew how to utilize them. We have a ten-hour day, free schools, the usual holidays ; but most of them prefer a gun and dog and a bottle of whiskey. I think most of them would very materially improve their own condition by applying themselves to their work and by economizing and sending their children to school. I think we need a class of immigrants that would give special attention to farming. It is almost impossible to hire laborers for the farm. The wages are high, and one can hardly rent a farm "on shares," as the women and children prefer to work in factories and the men in saw-mills. Consequently, farms are growing up in weeds and broomsedge and farm products are going higher and higher. I think a class of immigrants, with small capital, who are able to buy small farms, or those willing to work on farms, would be preferable. — G. W. Long, LittJe River. Let the Negro Go.—I hardly know what class of people would suit the best. The Germans are an industrious class of people, judging from what I have read about them. We need more farm hands of some sort. I would recommend only an industrious class, that we could get to take the place of negroes.—J. B. A. Ellis, Taylorsville. ALLEGHANY COUNTY. Machinery Taking the Place of Labor.—Having had no experience at all with foreigners on farms, I am in no position to say just what class of immigrants are best suited to farm labor. The mines and railroads take nearly all our farm help, and our people are meeting the proposition by farm-ing smaller areas and farming it better ; using all the machinery they are able to purchase, and in some instances more. Ours is a stock-raising sec-tion and we are not so dependent on farm laborers as our eastern brethren in the tobacco and cotton belts. — Eugene Transon, Stratford. Admit Only the Better Class.—In my opinion, it is dangerous to the morals and general elevation of our people to admit immigrants of low morals or those who come merely to eke out a living, at any place, condition or price, regardless of the effect their presence or labor may have upon Ameri-can people. And while I recognize the fact that no statute can so strictly guard the gateway of immigration as to exclude absolutely those who will prove detrimental to American upbuilding and allow only such to gain foot-hold among us as will, in every instance, prove a blessing to us, I am sure 38 ISToRTH Carolina Laboe Statistics. the very strictest care should be exercised in this respect. And, as experience will teach that the tenant is almost in every case below the landlord so far as the good of the farm, the advancement of education, religion or morals are concerned, so in like manner immigrants who are among us merely to labor as hirelings are also below those people who intend to become bona fide citizens. — George W. Miles, Miles. Not Needed.—I do not think we need the immigration of any class of peo-ple in our county. Neither do I think we need a compulsory school law for the colored class of our county. We scarcely have a colored educated man who wants to or will work in the county.—W. W. Hash, Piney Creek. The Greatest Need.—The greatest need of our farmers is better schools and roads. Nothing less than six months of school is sufficient to give our children the education required for good citizenship, and I think the next Legislature should increase our taxes sufficiently to have at least five months school. I favor a compulsory school law. We need no immigrants to this section.—W. F. Doughton, Laurel S2)rings. ANSON COUNTY. Should Be Elevating.—In regard to immigration, will say that I am opposed to worthless, immoral immigrants coming into our State. If we would get some people who are willing to work six days in the week and not spend the Sabbath in drinking, cursing, swearing and gambling, thereby lowering the morals of the country, it might be of benefit to us. But I am of the opinion that we will have to get rid of the negro before we can get immigrants of good morals to move in among us. I am confident that the sooner we get entirely rid of the negro the better it will be for us.—J. A. NiVEN, Morven. Against Immigration.—As a class, the wage-earner is the most contented and independent class of people there is. They can work half the time and live, handsomely, and a living is all they seem to want. The most popular method of farming now is for the landlord to rent the tenant a farm for a specified rental and the tenant furnish stock, tools, etc. I don't think we need any immigrants. While farmers claim labor to be scarce, there seems to be plenty to cultivate all the land, and it seems we have to hold the farmer down to prevent over-production. We make plenty and to spare, so let the land rest for our children instead of having undesirable immigrants.—J. A. Kendall, Wharf. Heartily in Favor of Immigration.—The conditions here are very favor-able for the wage-earner. He needs only energy and perseverance in order to prosper. Labor is abundant, laborers are few and wages are better than ever before. He who does not do well under these conditions is lacking in some of the essential qualities of a man. I am heartily in favor of immigra-tion. The time is right on us when we will have to cut down our acreage 50 per cent, or else obtain our farm hands from foreign countries. The Germans Condition of Faemees. 39 and the better class of Italians are the best farmers. They usually are trust-worthy, frugal and industrious. They live within their incomes and are trained to habits of economy and honesty. The Germans have largely made the great West what it is. They will be of equal benefit to the Southland. This cry against "foreigner" is the cry of ignorance. All immigrants are not rascals and thieves. Nine-tenths of them are honest and intelligent. We need their muscle and brain, their industry and perseverance, their enterprise and forbearance. I am anxious to locate a family any day, and others here are feeling as I do about the matter.—W. F. Humbert, Polkton. ASHE COUNTY. Wants Social Equals.—I am not aware who can be had as immigrants, but industrious and honest white people of American birth are preferable — people who will identify themselves with the country and become a part and parcel of the whole people ; those whom we can afford to treat as we treat each other, who can send their children to the same schools that our children attend. In short, people susceptible of development, and who in time will be an element of strength and peace and good feeling; those whose children will grow up to honor the trades and professions along by the sides of our own sons and daughters.—H. A. Eller, Berlin. Labor Plentiful.—Ashe is a hilly country and very good for grass. I don't think the farmers have lost much on account of labor becoming scarce and high, as they can keep their land in grass and raise stock without so much labor. I don't know what kind of immigrants would suit the State best. As for this county, we don't need any. — Marshall Baker, Crestoii. Favorable Conditions.—I do not think we need any immigration in this part of the State, as the people are very thickly settled and if immigrants were run in here it would cause labor to be cheaper, and that would be very hard on ovir poor people. There are enough men in this part of the State to make farming very profitable. If they would quit paying so much attention to saw-milling and lumbering and turn their attention to farming, this county could have more than enough to do her and have plenty to sell. — Robey Roten, 8ly. Laborers Should Be Educated.—I think it would benefit the wage-earners if they would better educate themselves. Learn the lesson well and do their . work well, for work half done is not done at all. This progressive age demands an advance in skill to insure regular and profitable employment. The wage-earner who takes heed to these improvements will, in due time, reap a bountiful harvest, with a reward for his employer. If all the wage-earners were temperate in all their habits, vigilant in their duties and gentlemanly in their deportment, they would generally meet with a hearty welcome and be sought after by the best class of society. I think the Germans would be the better class of immigrants for farm labor. Having traveled through the Western States for about eleven months, mostly among the farmers of that section, I learned that the Germans are better skilled and the most successful 40 JSToKTii Carolina Labok Statistics. laborers on the farm in all that country. Not only did they possess vigilance and skill, but a will power, wbicb is the great motion of success.—W. J. Roberts, Grassy Creek, Laborers Needed.—One great curse is the drinking habit of many of our people. We need laborers in our county, as most of our young and intelligent men go to the railroads to work. — John Dent, Jefferson, BEAUFORT COUNTY. Legislation Enough.—As to the needs of wage-earners I cannot think of any legislation that would be of special benefit to them. To be industrious, thrifty, faithful and economical would be very beneficial to many who do not practice these habits. It would be a very great mistake in cotton planters to import any large number of mere laborers in order to increase the production of that staple.—R. W. Wharton, Washington. "Two Jobs" to One Applicant.—The condition of the wage-earner has never heen so good as noiv in my section. He never waits for a job, there is prac-tically two for each man. In consequence, much improvement and the opera-tion of new enterprises is much hampered. What class of immigrants are best suited to our needs I could not advance even a guess, inasmuch as we have never tried any, and any surmise I might make would only be off-hand and without experience to substantiate. — Feed P. Latham, Belhaven. Favors Immigration When Conditions Change.—The present condition of wage-earners is such that one can hardly suggest what they need. In fact, we have very few regular wage-earners in the rural districts. About what farm labor we get are those who own their own homes and have small crops on their own lands, or rented, and we get their spare service. My judg-ment is that large land-owners and investment companies are fast getting in possession of our lands. This means that it is off the market. When this is done, I favor an industrious class of immigration ; but as long as small parcels of land can be had on easy terms immigrants will aspire to domestic privileges, and, if anything, demoralize or subdivide what labor we now have. My solution of the matter is, that we should cut down our expensive farming by using labor-saving machinery and raise hay and stock on our own surplus lands. — John B. Respess, Jr., Washington. BERTIE COUNTY. Opposed to Immigration.—At present prices of cotton, labor will take care of itself. Our farm laborers are all negroes, and they are becoming more disposed each year to quit working for wages and on shares. Since they were taken out of politics their methods have greatly improved, and many of them are buying land whenever it can be found for sale. I am opposed to immigration, on the ground that this is the home of the negro, and that for- Condition of Fakmees. . 41 eign white laborers and the negro cannot work and live in the same commu-nitj^ The negro must have our sympathy and protection. Then, too, the increase in the State's white population will soon need every available acre of land in North Carolina. I would rather favor building a wall around the border of the State in order to keep our people at home.—J. B. Stokes, Windsor. Wants a Reliable Class.—I don't know much about immigration. All who have ever been among us here have been worse than nobody ; but we need a good reliable class of immigrants, if there be any, for laborers.—A. J. Smithwick, Woodard. BLADEN COUNTY. Room for Improvement.—As stated in your report of 1905, we have but one class of wage-earners, and their greatest need is integrity, honor and a higher plane of morals. In my humble opinion, Germans, Swedes and Irish would be better laborers for farm work than those of any other nationality. Any change would be an improvement on the present system of labor.—C. V. Hines, Westhrook. A Thing or the Past.—The question of immigration, labor and education is of such a serious and vital nature that I do not feel able to discuss it. But there is no question in my mind but that we are nearing a crisis rela-tive to the labor problem, and how to meet it awaits the best talent of our statesmen and legislators. The negro labor is a thing of the past; but who is to take his place I am not able to say. One of the good ways, I think, would be to reduce our farms and intensify by highly fertilizing and thor-ough cultivation with all the late and improved farm implements. We will have to take the negro's place in the field, and that means better machinery. — James Robeson, Tar Heel. BRUNSWICK COUNTY. Does Not Want Strikers.—If we could get a class of people who would work and not give us more trouble than they would be profit to us, I think it would do to have some of them. But I don't favor a class who would be on a strike all the time. Of the two evils, take the lesser one. We need good, reliable hands ; then pay them well and we will get along better. Elisha Sellers, Supply. Doesn't Know.—I do not know what race of people would be best adapted to our wants. But I think if we could get a class of industrious and law-abiding people they would be better adapted to our needs.—A. C. Meaees, Calabash. Labor Needed Badly.—In our section labor is entirely unreliable, and scarce on the farm, as well as in the factories. Any kind of laborers who would work and keep out of the criminal courts would be acceptable and could get regular employment at good wages.—F. M. Mooee, Phoenix- 4 42 ISToRTH Carolina Labor Statistics. To Better Conditions.—To better the condition of the laboring people we need, better educational facilities. I think the law in that respect is all right, but it is not carried out to the best advantage for the sparsely-settled country districts. There are too many poor children who are too far from the school-house to attend school at all, and the parents are not able to board them out, if they could get board at all. I think the school-houses should be so arranged as to give all an equal chance and have teachers who are more fit to teach, and I don't think that there would be any necessity for any compulsory laws at all.—C. C. Little, Makatoka. BUNCOMBE COUNTY. Shunning Farm Woek.—^The class of laborers we have are inclined to do public work. While the wages are some better, the work is uncertain and irregular, and around cities and towns where they save nothing and work less than half the time. We need a class of immigrants that will do good farm work. All our laborers seem to be shunning this class of work. Our farm products are high.—R. J. Gaston, Hominy. Ambitious Laboeees.—I am not in position to express an opinion as to the class of labor best suited to our needs. We need an intelligent class, who are ambitious to own small homes, industrious, painstaking, etc.—C. P. Weaves, Alexander. BURKE COUNTY. Favorable to the Proper Class.—On general principles I am opposed to immigration, but if it were possible to get some people who are industrious, moral and law-abiding citizens, who would buy small farms and settle with a view to becoming permanent citizens to help develop the country, both morally and financially, I am sure they would not be objectionable.-—J. H. Hoffman, Morgant07i. A Strenuous Kick.—At the present time the farms of this section have been deserted on account of the high prices paid for lumber. Men who were prospering on the farm have gone to hauling lumber, and other shortsighted, lazy fellows have gone to cotton factories to live off of the work of their children. But better machinery has, to a large extent, made up for their loss. Timber supply is growing less each year, and when it is exhausted and the men who are now working at the business return to the farms, our section will be much better off ; and the sooner the timber is exhausted the better for the men who do the hauling, as they will return to the farms, live better, ' and do the country more good. The money made is paid out for mules and wagons, which are worn out before they pay for themselves. So, it seems, the destruction of our forest does the country no good, the money in it going to some shrewd speculator ; and our President and home folks talking of preserving our forests, and a tariff on lumber, causing our beautiful forests to be destroyed, and all that is in it going into the hands of greedy speculators. Condition of Faumees. 43 Take the tariff off lumber, give our people lumber at reasonable prices ; stop the men engaged in the destruction of our forests and surveying our part of the State, and we will have plenty of farm help, and will raise our own meat and bread, our own mules and horses, instead of buying them in Chicago. The people in this part of the State will some day learn that the farm is the surest and best way to live, and if each man will build up and improve his farm, and thereby his county and State, we will indeed be a happy people.—S. S. Hallyburton, Hartland. CALDWELL COUNTY. Makes No Suggestion.—As we have very few laborers here, except our white and colored native-born people, I am not in a position to tell who would best supplement our native laborers. The wage-earners need to be better paid, especially in the shops and factories ; and to accomplish this need the laborers ought, like most professional men, to be better united.—A. E. Nelson, Patter-son. Wants the Moneyed Yankee.—I have never been in favor of foreign immi-gration. I think it will prove, some day, detrimental to our welfare. We have a great country and it should be populated by American citizens. We need the hustling Yankee with money to develop the manufacturing interests of our country, but we do not need the foreigner to corrupt our civilization. — A. G. CoRPENiNG, Lenoir. Against Immigration.—I think we have plenty of labor in my section. Quite a number of our farmers are getting labor-saving machinery, and that has necessitated a lot of our laboring people going into other avocations. This is not a cotton or tobacco growing section, though both can be grown. Our farmers are taking more interest in grasses than they used to. Caldwell County, I think, is opposed to any legislation making appropriations to encourage immigration. This county will soon be crowded any way.—J. A. DuLA, Lenoir. Good Citizens Not Likely to Migrate.—As to immigration, I do not favor it in any way. Immigration is only an injury to our country, and if allowed will demoralize the country, more or less. As none but the low grade of humanity is apt to emigrate, the best class do well where they are, and we do not need the "toughs" of any country to populate ours. It is true, labor is scarce and wages high, but farmers are getting in shape to do all their farm work with but little or no hired help. I do not speak only for myself, but for the surrounding country, as none favor immigration, and I hope immigration will not be favored or allowed.-—W. P. May, Lenoir. Attract the Respectable Element.—I have very few suggestions to make, as I feel that my suggestions would seem very lame in comparison to many that you will receive from men who have given it more thought. My first suggestion is, that the wage-earners need, generally speaking, a better educa-tion than the average laborer of to-day commands, which will enable him to 44 !N"oE.TH Caeolina Labor Statistics. meet competition in any line of labor that he chooses to follow. This is getting better from year to year among the boys and girls now growing up to manhood and womanhood, but not such a marked improvement as I would wish to see. They need to be taught to be more economical, for as a rule the wage-earner, whenever and wherever he can get credit and go in debt, is living beyond his ability and means, and consequently is in debt nearly all the time. He finally becomes discontented with his lot and retrogrades. The kind of immigrants we need are people who are sober, honest and industrious ; whose children can grow up with and go to school with our children, and make good, laAv-abiding American citizens. The average Irishman, Swede, German, Frenchman, or Englishman generally make good citizens, and do very well (financially) in the South. What we do not need is the scum from any nation, which has already been pouring into America in alarming propor-tions.— W. J. Lenoie, Yadkin Valley. Might Incur a Hardship.—I am not in favor of immigration for this section of the State. I don't think it will be long until the lumber business will stop, as our timber is nearly exhausted. Then I think farm hands can be had at a price that the farmer can afford to pay. Then if we had these immigrants they would be in the way of our own people, and might make it hard on them ; so I think we had better let immigration alone.—P. B. Bush, Lenoir. CASWELL COUNTY. Immigration Not Desired.—I do not think we will be benefited by any class of immigrants. In fact, I know the laboring class will not. It will lower the price of labor, and the lower the labor the lower the prices of farm produce. — J. S. RoscoE, Union Ridge. Laborers Few.—Most of the workingmen have already left this section. The most of the hands who are here are those who are old, together with some women ; only a few exceptions. White women work on farms more than colored ones.—L. L. Rosco, Jericho. A Serious Question.—The labor question seems to me a serious one now confronting the farmers throughout this section of my county. Negro labor is becoming so scarce and unreliable that many farmers can hardly find help at any price, especially so during the busy season of the year. Lots of farm-ers furnish houses and firewood to these "birds of passage" during the winter months, only to find them leaving, when spring opens, for the coal-fields and railroads of the west, or to swell the loafing element of the near-by towns and cities. What we need, in my opinion, is a class of laborers who will stick to the farm throughout the year. A large per cent, of the farm laborers are renters who work when it suits them, and that only a small part of the year, say from May 1st until about the middle of October, when corn is gathered. — John P. Harrison, Purley. Condition of Faemees. 45 Legislate for Landlord.—Suitable labor for tobacco culture is hard to get. The negro suits the climate and is the best labor, if he is properly man-aged. It seems that he must have a boss, or he gets indolent and very care-less, even to his own interest. So legislation giving the landlord all reason-able power over his land, stock, etc., is both beneficial to the property-owner and the wage-earner.—A. F. Dillaed, Tony. Refined Immigrants Wanted.—I think the wage-earner, in the first place, needs compulsory education for his family. Then he needs many, many lessons in self-reliance. And they who will not be taught will continue to be wage-earners. I believe the colored man will suit us better for farm laborers than any we can get for our present system of farming. We need immigrants that are refined and energetic to buy and improve some of our lands.—P. M. Somees, Altamahatv. The Need of More Industry.—We have no immigrants in this part of the State, and from what I know of foreigners in time of the Civil War, I don't think we need any people here except our own. If we had a law to make all work we could have better times. We have enough here if they would work and not run about so much to find easy places, and then complain of hard times. I am now 68 years old and work hard every day and live at home. I have been County Commissioner for fourteen years and have missed only two days in that time. I am for better roads, better schools and better bridges.—J. C. Allison, Allison. Not a Utopian Dream.—I believe there is plenty of labor in the United States if it could be utilized ; but a false idea has pervaded all this country for forty years or more, that of congregating in cities, towns, and so on, by the educated and uneducated. With the better informed leading, as a matter of course the others naturally follow. Thus, the beauties, the free-dom, the healthfulness of rural life have been, as it were, in an eclipse until it has become second, or real nature. People, as they get better informed and see a little beyond the over-civilization strain under which we are now living (perhaps it is well for us to have this period), will see that on the farm is the only life worth living, where character fit for eternity is builded. Nature's God seen, heard ; and willing, loving homage is paid to the Deity. Then the farms will be the place ; no tramps from overcrowded centers, but citizens—happy, home-loving, working, aggressive and progressive people — not foreigners. This is no Utopian dream ; it's coming.—W. C. Swann, Pelham. CATAWBA COUNTY. Invite Good Honest People.—Immigration of the proper class of citizens is to be encouraged, for I think it is essential to the full development of the South. With all our undeveloped resources we are the coming part of these great United States. That is, if we can get the energy and help to effect good accomplishments. We don't need some of these "garlic-eating" for- 46 iN'oRTH Caeouna Labor Statistics. eigners, who are a nuisance to any government and a menace to law and order. But rather, we need to invite those good, honest people, who are seeking better conditions for themselves and families and who will learn to love our Southland as the best part of creation. — John Sherrill, Gatmvba. The Negro a Failure.—In my opinion, it is not best to give negroes too much education. If we could teach him reliability and truthfulness, in place of too much book learning, he would be much better off. I believe the only way to reach a certain class of white people and make them attend school is to make it compulsory. We have had no experience with other people than whites and negroes ; therefore, have no suggestion to make as to the kind of labor. The negro has proven himself a failure as a reliable farm laborer.—E. D. Gamble, Sherrill's Ford. Should Be Experienced Farmers.—I can hardly tell you about the class of immigrants we need. I think they ought to have some experience in farm labor. We cannot get help on the farm any more for love or money. The farm hands have left and gone to the mills, so we can't get help. But we are getting cultivators that we can do the work of two hands with. Were it not for that I don't see how we would get along.—C. M. Burrus, Newton. CABARRUS COUNTY. No Bomb-Throwers Wanted.—I think a good, honest class of immigrants, who are honest and reliable, could find permanent employment at good wages. But we do not need the pauper-anarchistic-bomb-throwing class.—W. G. Newell, Concord. CHATHAM COUNTY. Women and Children on Farms.—If wage-earners could be induced, while wages are good, to save their money and purchase homes, if only a few acres, it would improve the country more than anything else. I have never known wages so good, and it seems like the better wages are the more unreliable labor is. If we are to have immigrants we should have indus-trious farmers, who are intelligent and law-abiding. Women and children are doing most of the light farm work. You can't hire male hands here. They are all pretty well on public works. Women and children get about as good wages on the farms as men used to.—B. J. UtLey, Monctire. The Best Farm Laborer.—In my opinion, the negro is the best tenant, or rather farm laborer, that we can get, and as these leave the farm we want the immigrant that will take their places. I think the Swedes would make the best farmers.—W. O. Farrell, Pittshoro. Opposes It.—From what I hear about immigration, I don't see how we could beat the negro. In fact, I see no use of getting any more labor to reduce the price of cotton or other farm products. I think less labor to make cotton, less will be made, and the less made the better the price. Therefore, I am opposed to immigration.—E. M. Fearrington, Riggsbee. Condition of Fakmees. 47 An Alarming Condition.—I will say as a farmer and a land-owner, that we have lots of good land that is lying idle, and we cannot till it without help, thus making the land useless to us, and we never will be able to culti-vate it without help. If we could have our land cultivated it would advance in value ; we have not half the help we need to put our lands in cultivation. I think, if we could get them, that the Irish or the English people would be better for us. We have some of them with us, and they are doing well. They work well and are peaceable. The negroes are leaving us since 1900 and our young men are disposed to go to the towns. There are only a few old men and children left to till the soil. I don't think it will be any better until we can get hands to help us. We are having a hard time: our land lying idle and taxes getting higher and but few people to pay them. I favor a change as soon as possible. If it were not for the timber that is on it our land would be almost worthless. Timber has advanced in price 50 per cent, in the last twelve months, and it is difficult to get hands to work at the mills to put it on the market. So j^ou see we need hands for this, too.—J. R. Bright, Stork. The Remedy.—When farm wages and all other wages were down to fifty cents for men, twenty-five and thirty for women, then the farm negro would work regular, because necessity forced him to do so ; then we had no trouble with the farm labor ; we had an abundance of it and it was regular. But now, while wages are high, the common negro can make enough in two or three days to last him a week or more, and so long as that supply lasts he will work no more. We have no trouble v\'ith the ante-bellum negro. The trouble comes from the educated young negro. So long as we can manage the negro he is the best farm laborer we can get. We do not want, or need, that class of foreign labor that will form strikes under their organizations, for they can strike and hold out long enough to ruin your entire crop. Our salvation seems to be in improved machinery on farms ; but it will have to be sold direct to the farmer, as the agency system puts the machinery so high that a common farmer who most needs machinery can't pay such high prices. Now bring the manufacturer and the farmer close together and both will succeed better and the whole country will prosper.—J. E. Bryan, Moncure. More Attractions Needed on the Farm.—I think we need a better system of education. Our schools are not what they should be ; we don't take the interest in them we should. We need something to stimulate the parents, so they will send their children regularly. Most all of our negroes have quit the farm and gone to public works. The only way to keep them on the farm is to fix better houses for them and have them farm on shares. And then they love hunting better than farming. Our farmers are cultivating small farms and doing the work themselves ; then all the profit is theirs. We can't depend on negro labor. They work at public works at $1.50 and $1.25 per day, and make enough in three days to live on a week, so they work three and play three. The colored race don't need any more education. The white race needs compulsory education.—S. W. Harrington, Goff. 48 ISToKTH Carolhsta Labor Statistics. CHEROKEE COUNTY. Those Who Work and Wait.—I am in favor of immigration, if of a good, substantial class of people. Those best suited, in my opinion, are people of high ideals, morally ; those who appreciate the government under which they live and who are in favor of education in the highest sense of the term ; those who are industrious and public-spirited, who are content to work and wait.—J. T. L. Haktness, Ogreeta. Kind of Citizens Needed.—I think the best thing at present for this county is immigrants of the right sort—those who are sober, industrious and intelligent enough to attend to their own business ; buy up our lands that are owned by non-residents, and by their example teach our people to love farm life.—J. A. Kimsey, Marhle. Moral Men in Demand.—I believe the class of immigrants most needed are home-makers and home-lovers ; men who will make two blades of grass grow where only one grows now, and who are in sympathy with our form of government, and who will help to build up and maintain schools and churches. Good moral men are in demand.—J. S. Carter, Andreivs. In Cherokee.—I have been farming for forty years, and grow corn, wheat, oats, and other things suited to our mountain soil. While I have little to say, in my opinion, we need a compulsory school law and more industrious laborers on the farm. — Craig Phillips, Andreivs. CHOWAN COUNTY. Plenty of Labor at Tyner.—I think wage-earners are in very good cir-cumstances, as their financial condition is improving very much ; in fact, they are equal with a good many farmers. As to immigrants, I am not in favor of them at all. Do not think we need them in this section, as we have plenty of labor that can be obtained at good prices.—O. E. Lane, Tyner. Passing of Negro Labor.—We need the best immigrants we can get. The time has passed for the negro to be of much service to the white people of the South.—H. B. Jones, Tyner. Prefers German Citizens.—I am glad to report that we are progressing finely in this locality, having good schools and churches and all classes enjoying contentment, with the exception of the scarcity of labor. In this respect I do not feel competent to advise or suggest what is best for us. My knowledge of the Germans makes them my preference of all immigrants. We want a class of immigrants who would become home-builders, whom we could meet as our equals, both socially and industrially. We want no class who would become our wards, as the negroes are—and I might also add the Russian Poles and low-caste Italians. I also wish it could be that we could maintain a nine months' public school instead of five, as we now have. No doubt we are doing all we can with the means at our command. My idea Condition of Farmers. 49 is to educate the people—compulsory, if need be. My observations have led me to see the better educated a laborer is the better results I get. — Miles S. Elliott, Mege. Impeoved Implements the Thing.—I live in the northern end of Chowan, and there is no wheat, oats, or tobacco grown in this part of the county. There is very little hired labor. Both white and colored are looking for easier work than farming. There is no need of immigrants in this part of Chowan. It does not take half the manual labor it did five years ago, on account of the much improved implements to work with ; and people are using more fertilizer, improving the land, and are in better financial condition. Elihu Copeland, Tyner. CLAY COUNTY. The "Scum" of Foreign Lands Objectionable.—If present good times and prices of farm products continue, I think the wage-earners will have as much as is possible for them to obtain in this mountain country, where farming can never be made profitable as in some counties. As to immigrants for farm laborers, our own white boys are best suited to the needs of this section ; but if we must have immigrants to cultivate our farms, give us the negro in preference to any of this "scum of creation" that comes to us from foreign countries. What few negroes we have in this county seem to give entire satisfaction as farm hands, and are a peaceable and moral folk. — J. A. Chambers, Hayesville. Have Enough" Laborers.—I don't think we need immigrants in our part of the country. But we do need better cultivation of the soil and better improved lands generally.—W. A. Casada, Hayesville. Does Not Want Foreigners.—We need a railroad. Do not want foreign immigrants.—S. H. Allison, Hayesville. Needed: A Railroad, Etc.—I think a railroad in this locality would prove beneficial to all classes of people. The people should be encouraged to set more of their lands in grasses and turn more attention to stock-raising. Think they should be advised to take better care of their timber and taught to fertilize the lands they cultivate, plant small crops and make more per acre. Also, I think the State should provide school-books for the poor chil-dren, as many of them are not able to buy books. Furthermore, we need a better grade of stock in our county.—J. V. A. Moore, Hayesville. CLEVELAND COUNTY. Small Farmers Wanted.—I would suggest that the wage-earners learn lessons from successful business men who were once laborers. They can give them lessons in economy and virtue, that are as essential to success in this day and time as they ever were. "Little leaks sink the ship." If a wage-earner means to win a competency for old age, he must save some 50 North Carolina Labor Statistics. in his youth and before his family gets too large. If we can get Ameri-can, English, Dutch or Scotch small farmers we would be glad to wel-come them, but the "riff-raff" and criminals of Europe we need no more than the Chinaman. — Avery G. Higgins, Belwood. The Greatest Evil.—The blind tiger is the greatest evil for the working people. If we could put down liquor, everything else would adjust itself. I am in favor of a mild compulsory school law. I do not favor immigration, unless it be of the sober and industrious kind.—J. M. Irvin, Elletiboro. He Doesn't Know.—I do not know what to say in regard to wage-earners ; wages are good and hands are scarce (that is farm hands). As to iinmi-grants, I do not know what class would suit farm labor best, as I am not acquainted with the foreigners.—J. H. Kester, Kings Mountain. A Sufficient Number to do the Work.—I am not in favor of immigration, although we are short of labor sometimes ; but there are plenty of negroes and worthless white people to do the work required in this country. The most of them would rather work on public works half the time and steal their living. I hope the time will soon come when we can see everybody at work, all the negroes back in Africa, and all white people here in their places. We don't need immigrants here, is my view of the thing, for if we get them we may have trouble at home some day.—W. F. Logan, Kings Mountain. Let Well Enough Alone.—I am opposed to immigration, because our people are contented and prosperous among all classes. The laborer is getting satisfactory compensation for his labor, and there is a good demand for all kinds of farm products at living prices. The more immigrants we get, the harder it will be for our children to own homes in the future. I believe in letting well enough alone.—A. T. Mull, Cleveland Mills. More Ignorance Now Than Can Be Cared For.—I would say the wage-earners of our vicinity could get all the work they can do, and get remunera-tive wages, if they could be induced, by any means, to work. We have a class of both white and black who want to stay around the towns and stations, and they can't be hired, paid nor persuaded to go out on the farm. As to immigrants, we have more ignorance now than we can handle. What we need is some way to get those we already have to work, and more money in some way to school them.—J. M. Barber, Kings Mountain. A Curse to the Country.—In my opinion, the thing that would be of greatest benefit (and that, too, in its broadest sense) is education for the wage-earners, as it is evident that the wage-earners will never amount to much to the Commonwealth as citizens without being properly educated. As to immigration, I am opposed to allowing the criminal element, ignorant element, and unindustrious element to land on our shores, and yet they are coming into the country by millions, principally from Southern Europe, which class is a curse to the United States instead of a help. But a good, indus-trious and intelligent element is greatly to be desired, especially if they are from England, Germany or France.—A. B. Dorsey, BeUoood. Condition of Farmers. 51 Labor Is Scarce.—There is scarcely any hired labor in this county for farming purposes. The laborers have gone to factories and other public works, and their condition is about as good as that of the landlords. The greatest trouble with them is they don't save their money.—J. T. Hawkins, Lattimore. The Best Classes, or None At All.—I do not know of anything that would benefit the wage-earners more than for them to "stick to their jobs," except for the j'oung to go to school. But our school term in this district is too short : we had only three months public school this year. I have no experience with foreign immigration ; don't know what kind of citizens they make. We need more good citizens in our community who would take an interest in society and the education of their children. It is next to impos-sible to hire a wage-hand here on the farm at any price ; though, if we could get immigrants who would be apt, honest and industrious we would be better off. We can buy labor-saving machinery and do our own work on the farm and no doubt be better off in the long run.—G. F. Hambright, Kings Mountain. CRAVEN COUNTY. Afraid of Strikes.—I must say that I do not approve of immigration for farm labor, as I have seen both Portugese and Italians tried, and they are like all the rest of immigrant labor, soon learn the strike system and become worthless. — Harris Lane, Cove. Reduce the Size of Farms.—The only legislation I can suggest for wage-earners is to put all intoxicants out of reach and not require them to pay nine-tenths of the road tax, as they do in most places. The old road laws are entirely out of date and should give way to a more sensible, up-to-date way ; tax the crowd and pay the worker. I think we need some immigrants, but think they should be buyers rather than hirelings, at least for the coun-try— the manufacturing centers could best use those from the towns. If some of the vacant farms could be cut up and sold to men who would work them, it would help pay taxes and maybe furnish some labor for adjoining farms. I think we had best go slow and "cull close." We do not need to flood our country with cheap labor ; let labor remain scarce and keep down production so we can get pay for farm work. — John Humphrey, Vlark. Plan Suggested.—Replying to above, will say that I think both laborer and land-owner could be materially benefited if farmers could secure willing, intelligent and competent labor among the Germans, or some other class of good people, who know something of agriculture. I think farmers could afford to pay competent, reliable laborers, those who are industrious and willing and know how to do, $1 per day, and they board themselves ; and then, to make them feel interested, give each family a horse crop to tend, pay them as suggested above, and one-tenth of all clear profits. I would like to secure two or more good families on above conditions and plans, and I believe I could place a dozen or more families in my neighborhood on above plan. I would like two families who have at least two sons, each able and competent to work.—G. L. Hardison, Thiirman. 52 ISToETH Carolina Labok Statistics. Conditions Satisfactory, Personally.—If I were to write from personal experience on my own little farm (thirty-six acres), I have labor enough and it is fairly satisfactory. Some negroes are reliable and industrious. I have one of that kind, so I personally do not complain of labor problems. My neighbors generally do, and many of them have cause for it. We can improve our labor by putting a premium on good attention to duties by paying extra for extra service—my own experience has proved this position. I hardly believe any class of foreigners would suit our community as well as the African, unless our large farms were cut up into small ones and induce actual settlers to come in. This would improve the labor already here and make the section more prosperous. In my estimated cost for cotton, etc., my esti-mate is my own expenses, not what it costs generally. I average over a five-hundred-pound bale to each acre I tend, and can by that means make a bale about five cents, but where it takes two acres to make a bale of course it costs much more per acre. Very little tobacco is raised about here, and I know nothing of its cost or use. — Daniel Lane, New Bern. CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Negro Labor a Thing of the Past.—I do not know what to say about the class of labor needed, but it is the general problem of our section at this time. We cannot get the labor that is needed, and I do not know what to say about it, not being informed as to the Italians, but think we had better have them than let our farms grow up in weeds. The labor question is a serious one; we cannot get much work done at any price. The negro labor is a thing of the past in most cases.—J. W. Hall, Autryville. Colored Immigrants.—I will say in regard to wage-earners in this section that they have the advantage of the employers, as wages are high and the demand for hands is great. I favor immigration, and think the best class of immigrants would be colored women in order to get cotton picked and help crop tobacco and save it. Modern farm implements are fast taking the place of male hands on the farm.—E. J. Godwin, Dunn. CURRITUCK COUNTY. Farms Too Large.—Our farms are too large. If we bad immigrants to work half of each farm, and had three times as much labor as we now have to work, then we would have one of the most prosperous States in the South. We can grow almost anything that can be grown in any other Southern State, and much more per acre.^P. H. Flora, Tulls. Needed Badly.—We have only the colored laborer here. The principal crop is Irish and sweet potatoes; not enough corn grown for home consump-tion. Reliable laborers are needed badly in this section. — Richard Ether-idge, Powells Point. Co]N^DiTiox OF Farmees. 53 DARE COUNTY. Experience Limited.—I rather think the Germans and Swedes would be best suited to this section, although my experience is very limited on foreign labor. We are now very much in need of a Chinese laundry.—R. C. Evans, Manteo. Lumbermen Needed.—This is not a farming county ; perhaps one-third of the heads of families own small farms of five to fifty acres and raise some corn, potatoes, etc., for home consumption, consequently there is scarcely any farm labor employed. In this, East Lake Township, all labor is fully em-ployed in the lumber woods and mills at from $1.25 to $2 per day, and twice as many more could find regular employment at same wages. In other parts of the county most of the labor is employed in the fishing industry, and they receive from thirty to forty dollars per month and board. A good class of immigrants would be beneficial here for the lumber industry, but are not needed for farming.—J. B. Pinner, East Lake. DAVIDSON COUNTY. As To Wage-Earners and Morality.—As to the needs of wage-earners, they are at present faring as well as any of our citizens, and have all the legislation in their favor that is necessary for them. I will say that I am very much opposed to most of the present class of immigrants ; many of them are exiles and we do not need them, but I would not oppose immigrants of a moral and industrious class ; yet, I believe w^e would be better off without them.—J. W. Bowers, Fair Gi'ove. Wants An "Early Influx."—We need a desirable class of farm hands in this part of the country, and certainly hope for an early influx of the kind needed—those willing to work for a living.—M. R. Shoaf, Wallburg. Do Not Wait.—The industrious laborer now has the opportunity of his life. The worthless class of negroes are abandoning the farms for town and city life, and if we can attract intelligent, industrious immigrants let us do so at once.—J. W. Fitzgerald, Linicoocl. German Immigrants Preferred.—In regard to wage-earners, I think that German labor would suit for farm labor better than any other class, if we can attract the good element. I think the farms should be divided up in small tracts ; we could raise five times as much per acre then as we do now. I think the reason so many of our young men have gone to the towns to get work is because we have been cultivating too much land and the yield per acre is too small.—R. P. Helper, Lexington. The Best Suited to Our Farms.—I must confess that I am at a loss to know what kind of immigrants would suit the farm best. However, I would say I think the German would fill the bill if he could be induced to come among us.—H. H. Hartley, Lexington. 54 ' ISToETH Caeolina Labor Statistics. DUPLIN COUNTY. Favoes Swiss and German Immigrants.—Let every wage-earner be paid according to the amount of labor be does in a day or an hour—not tbe same price for every man whether he does a good day's work or a sorry one. A man's worli is worth in proportion to what he does, and not what he is sup-posed to do. My opinion is that not until labor is sold by the, piece, just as goods and other things are sold, will the employer and the employed get justice. The "time-killer" should not be paid for the time he has killed, but for the work that he has done honestly and in a reasonable time. All wage-earners would be satisfied, or should be, when they have been paid according to their work. I suggest grades—first, second and third—and that he hold a certificate of his grade, and that no one employ him until he shows his grade certificate. This would encourage the second and third grades to improve themselves. I would recommend as immigrants the Swiss, who have been brought up under a compulsory school law, for this nation has had such a law for thirty years. The Germans, I think, would make good immi-grants.— S. J. Veach, Warsaw. Unable to Advise.—I am not able at this time to say anything much about immigration. We need more farm labor, and would like to have the best obtainable. As to what labor we have, I don't know of anything that would materially benefit them. They seem to be doing well enough, but need edu-cation.— G. W. Howard, Hallsville. Have Regular Employment.—I think the laborer at the present time is in good condition. The men can get employment outside of farm work. They can get $1.35 to $1.50 per day, and have regular employment, at lumber mills.—Z. Blanchard, Sloan. DURHAM COUNTY. Not Getting Their Share.—Our system of labor is anything but satis-factory. The colored laborer who has been reliable is fast passing away. We need immigrants, if we could get those that are reliable. Don't know what class of immigrants would be best suited to our needs. I do not think the working people of the State are getting their share of the prosperity that we hear so much about.—U. W. Unstead, Stem. Cannot Say.—I think the wage-earners of this country are doing better than I ever knew them—have plenty of employment and good prices paid them ; all produce and prices reasonable. All the farm labor is seeking public works, as they pay better prices than they get on farms. I think in a few years the land-owners will have to do their own farm work, and as they get old and unable to work their lands will go on the market. As for the best immigrants for the farmer, I can't say. I don't put much faith in the Japanese or Chinese. The negro is the best laborer, but public works are drawing them away from the farms and our lands are wasting away for want of labor.—G. D. Maekham, Durlxam. Condition of Faemees. 55 EDGECOMBE COUNTY. Makes No Suggestions.—The wage-earner needs to be more truthful and punctual. I have not sufficient knowledge to pass on immigrants suited to farm labor.—V. B. Knight, Laiorence. "North Carolina foe North Carolinians."—The share system of farming so exteilfeively exists in this county it is hard to say what are the needs of wage-earners. The repeal of the crop lien law would go a long ways towards solving the labor problem and remedying the scarcity of labor. I do not believe in any kind of immigration except, perhaps, whites from adjoining States. We are boasting that our State is one of if not the most prosperous States in the South ; that we are fast accumulating wealth, improving our farms and building factories. Why invite farmers to help us to do what we are doing for ourselves. Let's go on improving and leave the heritage, these improvements, to our children, not foreigners. "North Carolina for North Carolinians."—R. H. Speight, Whitake7's. Prefers Negro Labor.—The negro is the best all-round labor we will ever get. Well managed, he is all right. In regard to question 5, "Is negro labor reliable?" that depends on the ability the negro has and the man who is in charge. No labor that does the drudgery work is very reliable. That class of people get drunk and have a good time, they say.—M. S. Smithson, Battle-boro. The Negeo Played Out.—I favor immigrants that will be honest and work. It looks to me like the negro has played out, and by the help of big supply companies it will not be long before he is completely gone—extravagance and credit.—J. K. Lawrence, Battlehoro. As TO Negro Tenants.—The majority of wage-labor in this county is negro labor, which I think is best suited to the climate and the crops we cultivate ; although the majority of them are unreliable and will not comply with their obligations—that is, they will contract to work for you by the month or the year, and if they can get better wages offered them they will leave you. But the last Legislature gave us some protection, making it a misdemeanor, after having contracted, to leave the services of his employer. Again, the negro labor is unreliable. From my experience and observation, some farms of one to three hundred acres have been leased or rented to negroes, and have been almost entirely under their own care and supervision— the owners living in cities or towns and renting for a certain rent—and in almost every instance the land depreciates and the negro continues to get poorer. I do not know what class of immigrants would suit our country ; therefore, I think if our lands and our climate are generally advertised, it will be encouragement sufficient to keep a supply of labor here in this goodly land of ours.—W. W. Vick, Battlehoro. 56 ISToETH Caeolina Laboe Statistics. FORSYTH COUNTY. Economy Should Be Taught.—I think the wage-earner is getting a good price for his labor at present. If there could be some way devised to get him to take care of what he does make, I think it would be about as good a thing as could be done for him. I prefer the negro, as a farm laborer, to anybody else, but they have about all gone to the towns, the mines and public works. I believe that the Italians would make good farm hands, after getting acquainted with our way of working, but might be a little trouble to manage. All foreigners are much harder to manage than the negro, but we need more labor. However, I am not able to say where they should come from.—R. S. LiNViLLE, Kernersville. Favoks the Right Kind.—With the farmer, as with the man with any avocation in life, the individual is, to a great extent, the architect of his own fortune ; but legislation in favor of temperance, a system of improved high-ways and education will be of benefit to all classes. I favor immigration, if it be of the right kind. Not an alien people, who could not in time be asso-ciated with and taken up by our own people.—A. C. Wharton, Clemmons. Suggestion to Legislature.—As to immigration, we need none of it. The negro is a much better farm-hand than the foreigner. In my opinion, the greatest danger to the country lies in the landing upon our shores of the vast hordes of ignorant foreigners, and I would urge the General Assembly to pass resolutions asking Congress for more stringent and efficient laws.—M. W. Long, To^accoville. Room for More Farmers of Means and Industry.—People who are for hire can get more at saw-mills, brickyards, public roads, factories, etc., than farmers can afford to pay them. Harvest time now for the wage-earner ; best prices I have ever known for the wage-earner. There is room for more farmers, but we think that the only kind of immigration would be people who had means to buy farms and improve them and become permanent settlers, and I don't think there are many people who would amount to much as farm laborers here.—J. G. Fulton, Kernersville. FRANKLIN COUNTY. Cannot Advise.—In reference to the needs of wage-earners I cannot tell what would benefit them. We have never had any immigrants in this section, therefore I cannot tell what class might suit this county.—J. H. Ballentine, Bunn. Opposes Foreign Labor.—Don't think foreign labor would be good for farm use, as it seems that that class does not care to work on farms. They seem to prefer living in town. I am not a believer in foreign immigration anyway. Believe we would have trouble with it sooner or later ; therefore, I don't want them. If they are to come, let them stay in the towns, where they can be controlled by the officers of the law. Our natives, whites and negroes, are Condition of Faemees. • 57 what we want. Wage-earners are receiving higher wages than the landlord can afford to pay, and if they would save their earnings they could save more than the landlord, after taking off interest of his investments. But, as a rule, the wage-earner wants to spend more than he is earning, and cares nothing for saving.—C. P. Harris, Margaret. GASTON COUNTY. To Restore Confidence.—To pass a law to bind them to work out their contracts and a law to make the employer stand to his, and make all parties who entice them away liable for all damages, even to working it out on the chain-gang. This would restore confidence and make the dishonest ones honest, obviate all fears of the hands leaving; each and every one would know then that he must act square and be honest. Another good law would be to repeal the homestead act ; then, and not until then, will North Carolina be as it was before the war. It would make all honest and restore confidence between the rich and poor.—B. F. Carpenter, Stanley Creel:. No Help at Any Price.—The negro laborer has become very scarce, and, worse still, can't be relied on. Several of my neighbors lost all their help after getting out their fertilizers and crops planted. They will have to aban-don their crops, or a part at least. Do not think they can get help at any pi'ice.—J. M. McIntosh, Lucia. German and Irish Immigrants.—The farm laborer should be bound to stick close to his contract and look more after his employer's interest. Some compulsory law should be enacted to bring this about. As to immigrants, I cannot say which would be best to have. The German immigrants are usually good workers, and as I am nearly full Irish I would speak well for them also.—R. A. Caldwell, Gasto7\ia. Regular Employment.^—In my opinion, the greatest need for wage-labor is to get regular employment and stick to it and spend the money economically. Too many want to work one-half or three-fourths of the time, and dress up and strut around the remainder. I think wages are good enough if they would work all the time and take care of their earnings. — Moses Steoup, Bessemer City. Descants on Government.—After looking over the many excellent letters you have received and published here, I hesitate. Government seems to be a problem in which mankind has made more failures than in anything he has ever undertaken. Efficiency can best be secured in office-holders by long terms ; safety, by short terms and frequent changes. Manufacturing, especially of cotton, seems to be the great coming business of the South ; but we certainly need better laws for the government of corporations, so that some protection may be had for the minority stockholders. Man is naturally a tyrant and requires the strongest restraint that law can give to kee
Object Description
Description
Title | Annual report of the Bureau of Labor and Printing of the State of North Carolina |
Creator | North Carolina. Department of Labor and Printing. |
Date | 1906 |
Subjects |
Agricultural statistics Child labor Cotton--North Carolina First person narrative Furniture industry and trade Genealogy Emigration and immigration Industries Labor laws and legislation--North Carolina--Periodicals North Carolina--Newspapers North Carolina. Department of Labor--Periodicals North Carolina--Economic conditions--Periodicals Railroads Textile industry |
Place | North Carolina, United States |
Time Period | (1900-1929) North Carolina's industrial revolution and World War One |
Publisher | Raleigh, N.C. :The Bureau,1900-1908 ;(Raleigh:Edwards & Broughton, and E.M. Uzzell, state printers). |
Agency-Current |
North Carolina Department of Labor |
Rights | State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754 |
Physical Characteristics | 9 v. :ill. ;24 cm. |
Collection | University Library. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Type | text |
Language | English |
Format |
Annual reports Periodicals |
Digital Characteristics-A | 22397 KB; 370 p. |
Digital Collection | North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection |
Digital Format | application/pdf |
Related Items | Continues: North Carolina. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Annual report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the State of North Carolina. |
Title Replaced By | North Carolina. Department of Labor and Printing..Annual report of the Department of Labor and Printing of the State of North Carolina |
Title Replaces | North Carolina. Bureau of Labor Statistics..Annual report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the State of North Carolina |
Audience | All |
Pres File Name-M | pubs_edp_annualreportbureauoflabor1906.pdf |
Pres Local File Path-M | \Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_edp\images_master\ |
Full Text |
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UNIVERSITY OF N.C. AT CHAPEL HILL
00033934976
FOR USE ONLY IN
THE NORTH CAROLINA COLLECTION
^'
TWENTIETH ANNUAL REPORT
BUREAU OF LABOR AND PRINTING
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
906
H. B. VARNER, COMMISSIONER
M. L. SHIPMAN, ASST. COMMISSIONER c
RALEIGH
E. M. UzzELL & Co., State Printers and Binders
1906
Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive
in 2011 with funding from
Ensuring Democracy tinrougii Digital Access (NC-LSTA)
http://www.archive.org/details/annualreportofbu1906nort
/V
^ ^ 3 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
To His Excellency, Eobest B. Glenn^
Cj ^ Governor.
Sik:—In submitting to yon the Twentieth (my sixth) Annnal
Eeport of the Bnrean of Labor and Printing, as provided by law,
T wish to assure you that the information presented is as complete
as it has been possible to ascertain with the facilities available under
existing conditions. In the language of a predecessor, I will say:
"The appropriation is so small that it is impossible to visit the mines,
or to do a good many things that the law requires." However, this
report shows a material advancement along industrial lines in the
State, and actual conditions existing among the laboring classes of
manufacturing districts, indicated by the testimony of the manu-facturers
themselves. These statistics indicate the educational and
financial condition of operatives in the mills and factories of vari-ous
kinds ; wages paid, the hours employed, etc. Also, the author-ized
amount of capital invested, number of spindles and looms in
operation, power developed, and other facts of general interest to
the public.
It will be seen from the reports of the farmers that labor is scarce
and unreliable to a considerable extent. This is largely attributable
to the lack of organization and a just conception of the value of an
education which would j)repare our wage-earners for the high-class
employment demanded by the scientific farmer of this day and gen-eration.
The farmers assert that "wages are high and labor hard
to obtain at any price"—due, they suggest, to a desire upon the part
of the workingmen to engage in other pursuits and professions. The
need of a more adequate knowledge of the duties required at their
hands, and the importance of putting forth every endeavor to elevate
our citizenship should be impressed upon every class of labor, and I
believe a compulsory school law would be a great step forward in the
effort to obtain the best results along the line suggested. By this
means the rising generation could be better prepared to fill the places
of the uneducated and, sometimes, indolent wage-earner of the pres-
'jO ent day.
ir
1^
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OCLC Number-Original | 8319939 |