NTA 100th Anniversary

Press Reports

[ transcription of original archived at the American Textile History Museum. ]

America's Textile Reporter

Vol. LXVIII, No. 22 (June 3, 1954)

More than 60 New England cotton and rayon mills are well "dug in" and prepared to fight the competitive battle indefinitely. This sums up the air of encouragement which pervaded all those attending the recent two-day celebration of the nation's oldest trade association--The National Association of Cotton Manufacturers-- in Boston, Mass.

The NACM-member mills are strongly fortifying themselves with agressive promotion and merchandising; emphasis on new styling effects; and a program of mill modernization second to none. These factors have done much to dispel the gloomy atmosphere of previous similar gatherings, supplanting it with a feeling much more akin to success.

Almost everything said at the Hotel Somerset celebration was of a heartening nature, including a declaration that the vital tariff situation would remain substantially the same, by Sherman Adams, assistant to President Eisenhower, and the word of Senator Leverett Saltonstall of Mass. that the area's Washington representatives were ready to assist the association in every possible way as the group began its second hundred years of activitiy. The parley was also the second meeting of the new Northern Textile Association.

Presidential Assistant Adams was presented the silver medal of the association "for his faith and leadership in meeting challenges to the welfare of New England and her textile industries." The award was made by Governor Christian Herter of Massachusetts, who presided at the luncheon session.

Mr. Adam's role, as chairman of the New England Governors Conference in 1951, in the comprehesive study which later became known as the "Report of the Governors Committee on the New England Textile Industry," was cited as the principal basis for the award. In making the presentation, Governor Herter brought out another point of interest to the New England textile mills when he said: "The single-minded purpose and administrative ability that have carried him to one of the world's top gave the textile industry the chance to tell its story."

In his remarks, Mr. Adams asserted positively that the government had no desire or intention to subject the textile industry in New England, or anywhere else, to destructive foreign competition. "We can no more allow our ouwn industries to be destroyed than we can allow freedom-loving friends to be deprived of the privilege of sharing the trade with our own country."

The presidential assistant said that rather than being depicted with decling textile manufacturing, the cotton textile industry was "a growing one," buttressed by a 50 per cent increase in cotton consumption since 1933. He said the U.S. population, now over 162 million, is increasing by about 2.7 million yearly and this means an additional 75.6 million pounds of cotton are required each year.

"By 1960, only six years hence, our population will be up probably another 16 million and the demand for cotton will be over 450 million pounds per year. Somebody is going to make money producing and selling to that enormous new market. When any manufacturer feels down in the dumps, let him think about this growing market and make up his mind to go after a chunk of that business."

The speaker also urged that NACM keep abreast of the times; keep vigilant to legislative trends and see to it that government is aware of the industry's problems and treats it fairly; and impress communities, states, and the national government with the significance of the enterprise and its contribution to the economy of the community.

Senator Saltonstall said he would try to strengthen the peril point and escape clause provisions in the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act, now being considered by Congress, whereby tariffs can be raised when foreign competition threatens American industries.

Asserting that a vigorous and strong textile industry will always be essential to the economic well-being of New England, the Senator nevertheless felt that the superior productivity of New England mills could not offset the differential between New England and foreign wages. He pointed out that New England textile workers are paid 200 to 1400 per cent more than textile workers in other countries.

"We New Englanders are tired of getting pushed around," he declared. "It's time to stand up and fight."

Melville Weston, president of Newmarket Manufacturing Company, Lowell, was elected a vice-president of the Northern Textile Association and the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers at the joint business meeting.

William F. Sullivan, Belmont, Mass., was re-elected president and Malcolm G. Chace, Jr., president of Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates, Inc., Providence, was re-elected a vice-president of both associations.

New directors elected were Laurence N. Hale, president, Paul Whitin Manufacturing Co., Northbridge, Mass., one year term; William H. Hubbard, vice-president, Wm. Skinner & Sons, Holyoke, two-year term; Lawton S. Brayton, assistant treasurer, Sagamore Manufacturing Co., Fall River, and retiring vice-president of the association, three-year term; and Ward Cheney, president, Cheney Brothers, Manchester, Conn., three-year term.

The election of Mr. Weston and three of the new directors who are primarily or exclusively manufacturers of fabrics from man-made fibers is an indication of the increased activity expected of the Northern Textile Association in the future.

Re-elected to three-year terms as directors of the two associations were: William W. Allan, vice-president and treasurer, Baltic Mills, Baltic, Conn.; J. Whitney Bowen, president and treasurer, Bourne Mills, Fall River; and John F. Shaw, vice-president, Chicopee Manufacturing Corp., Chicopee Falls, Mass.

Other directors are: Joseph H. Aselrod, president, Wamsutta Mills, New Bedford; Paul E. Crocker, treasurer, Pepperell Manufacturing Co., Boston; Vernon L. Faulkner, treasurer, Continental Mills, Lewiston, Me.; J. Rogers Flather, assistant treasurer, Boott Mills, Lowell; Frank W. Lyman, president, Fitchburg Yarn Co., Fitchburg; Seabury Stanton, president and treasurer, Hathaway Manufacturing Co., New Bedford; Hervey Kent, president and treasurer, Exeter Manufacturing Co., Exeter, N.H.; and Elmer Ward, president, Goodall-Sanford, Inc., Sanford, Me.

The well-planned and organized celebration reached a colorful climax at the annual banquet in the Somerset. An elaborate fashion show, featuring the latest styles from member NACM mills in New England, was enthusiastically received as was the floor show with Governor Hugh Gregg of New Hampshire as master of ceremonies. The banquet, luncheon and all other events during the meeting were well-attended.