AND ON THE CONTINENT.

100

We find the same thing if we leave the preparing machinery outof the question and take only into account the number of loomswhich the weaver minds. Whilst during the time of Ure theweaver did not mind more than one loom, or at the most twolooms, the average number at the present time in Lancashire onplain goods is four looms. This number is confirmed to me byMr. Edward Rawlinson, the secretary of the large Association ofEmployers in North Lancashire . In his district one person mindson the average 3'9 looms.

That we can accept four looms as the average number has beenconfirmed to me, in a similar manner, by Mr. Birtwistle, secretaryof the Amalgamated Weavers. He writes : “ The larger numberof our best weavers (in Blackburn and Accrington) mind fourlooms per person, some with, some without, help.” It is, how-ever, to be borne in mind that these statements are not only withrespect to plain, but also to simple fancy and bordered goods,especially the so-called dhooties—the clothing of the Hindoos.Six looms per weaver are in Burnley very frequent; in this casethe weaver has mostly a young assistant.

Compared with the foregoing, the number of looms per weaverin America lias increased still more. A weaver in Massachusetts frequently minds 6 to 8 looms, as a letter of Mr. J. Howard,secretary of the Cotton Operatives of Fall River , informs me (14),and Mr. Edward Atkinson, of Boston , confirms.

In a weaving-shed at Lowell, Massachusetts , there were em-ployed in the “ eighties,” according to a communication from themanager—Mr. Dupre: —

11 women weavers with 5 looms I 43 women weavers with 7 looms

232 „ „ „ 0 „ | 20 „ ., .. 8 „

In Germany a weaver scarcely anywhere minds more than two, inMulhouse and Switzerland , on plain goods, often three looms.Also in Augsburg this latter has, according to Grassmann , beenlately successful (15). The highest capacity there is that fourlooms are given to two operatives—one adult and one young

14. Reprinted in the Cotton Factori/ Times of March 22nd. 1889. Thesame is given in Commercial Relations of the United States, ” No. 23 (Sept.,1892), p. 43.

15. Compare Grassmann: “ Die Entwicklung der Augsburger Industrie,

1894.” On the other hand, the story on p. 49 was related to me a few yearsago.