USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume I > Part 86
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The total number of spindles owned and operated by this firm is 404,911.
The total number of looms is 10,956.
The employees of the firm number nearly 2,000 persons.
The following contribution of " G. M.," as addendum notes to the biographies of the Messrs. Knight, is at the request of the publishers. The subject is presented so fully, that the usual history of their opera- tions, as we had prepared them, are deemed to be unnecessary, and therefore omitted. The article is from the pen of a prominent man, who is familiar with the subject. It is of unusual interest, because of the character and the principles included in the illustrations.
To the publishers of the History of Providence County.
In response to your request, the following is submitted as " adden- dum " to your biographies of Benjamin B. and Robert Knight, and your brief statement of the organization of the business interests of the firm of B. B. & R. Knight, whose unparalleled success, it is suggested to the writer, is worthy to be recorded, with such comment thereon as may be of interest to the present, and of value to the generations to follow.
" The people doth delight to honor"
whomsoever. through meritorious achievement, are entitled to recogni- tion for distinguished service. It is a human impulse freely, cheer- fully and spontaneously given in recognition of merit. the product of genius and acquired ability, as it may be exhibited in the achieve- ments of the soldier, statesman, jurist, philosopher or philanthropist; it is none the less due in respect to men who have in a preeminent de- gree distinguished themselves as leaders in the important fields of commercial and manufacturing industry.
It is not given to all men that they shall be endowed with the spirit of genius, or that they shall possess the qualities of mind requisite to successful leadership in the important fields of domestic industry. It is intended for the best good of society, since the diversified interests of a community are best promoted by such subdivisions of labor as will secure advancement upon all of the lines of useful work.
A proper knowledge of the lives of distinguished men, their hab- its, methods, struggles, the sacrifice of personal comfort and pleasure, the constant and unremitting effort, the indefatigable labor and econ- omy necessary to their success, would do much toward the enlighten- ment of those persons who profess to believe that wealth is unjustly distributed. A just appreciation of the true relation of capital and labor is necessary to the security of property, and the perpetuity of the free institutions of our country. The inviolability of contract, and the recognition of vested rights constitute the bulwark of civilized existence.
Education and a diffusion among the people of important economic truths, will do much to avert a serious danger which threatens the
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
quiet, peaceful condition of society through the antagonisms of labor and capital, so often produced by the agitations of demagogues. These various conditions are significant of momentous results. The conse- quences of such a strife no man can measure.
The civilization of the present day is the grandest spectacle the world has yet seen. It is a superstructure of vast and magnificent pro- portions, yet beneath its foundations are the quicksands of ignorance. intemperance, avarice, prejudice and passion, held thus far in place by materials and forces of a diametrically opposite nature; these must be strengthened by education upon broad and specific lines, until a higher standard of intelligence shall prevail, in which character, in- tegrity, temperance and morality shall be universally recognized as the safeguards of civilization. A just conception of individual duty as a component part in the structure of society, is a factor of safety that should be inculcated and maintained with zealous care. This is especially true in a nation within which all men are upon terms of equality before the law, where the son of the peasant or common la- borer, born in obscurity, living in a log cabin in the wilderness, or in a thatched cottage upon the borders of civilization, or within the crowded walls of the densely populous cities, may justly aspire to attain uinto the most exalted positions of trust, honor or profit, within this, the most glorious country upon the face of the earth. The expe- riences of the past, during all of the years in the life of this republic, furnish the most abundant testimony in corroboration of the fact that honest and intelligent labor is sure of its reward.
The biography and the history which records the success of emi- nent men, if rightly studied and considered in the light of all of the general conditions of life, must be of inestimable value as an incen- tive tending to encourage others to greater ambition, while at the same time it will serve to reconcile them to the acceptance of what- ever conditions may result after faithful and honest effort. A just appreciation of the grave responsibilities that are imposed upon the possessors of great wealth, who are actively engaged in the important industries, would remove very much of the jealousies and discontent hereinbefore referred to. Earnest, honest labor, economy, and a con- tented mind will produce the very ideal of happiness, and it is within the reach of all men, while the possessor of great wealth -- though he may enjoy all of these -is through his enormous responsibilities, the servant of the people.
The subjects of your biographical sketch, the Messrs. B. B. & R. Knight, to whom these " addendum" notes refer, are both of them remarkable men. Their lives and wonderful business careers are worthy of note, since their labor and skill have contributed so largely to the welfare of the state, and to the people in the communities effected by their great enterprise. The unparalleled success and the enormous possessions of the Messrs. Knight are of especial significance, since
BB Knight
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
their great achievement has been the result of their own individual and mutual effort. It is the product of the labor and genius of two men, skillful masters of their professions, thoroughly conversant with all of the details of their business, to which they have devoted their lives and energies without diversion therefrom during a period of over 40 years.
Their success in one of the most important of the domestic indus- tries (the manufacture and finish of cotton goods) is remarkable, since it is without a parallel in the history of the world. Singular and im- pressive as this statement may appear, it is nevertheless a veritable fact. It is not an abnormal condition, neither is it a question of chance or accident. It is an exhibition of " cause and effect," in which superior natural and acquired abilities, an almost boundless ambition, steady, systematic yet herculean effort, all blended and united in con- sistent action, have produced their legitimate result.
Your statement of the several manufacturing properties and num- bers of spindles, of the Messrs. Knight, convey to those unfamiliar with the subject but a slight conception of the vast magnitude of the busi- ness interests and operations of this firm. In a comparison of their interests with the large manufacturers of Europe, it should be remem- bered that the cotton manufacturers of England buy the yarn and weave the fabrics, while those who produce the yarn are cotton spin- ners, and are seldom engaged in the so-called manufacture. In the American system are united all of the operations of the manufacture, which include the carding, spinning and weaving.
The principal and more important interests of the Messrs. Knight, briefly summarized, are as follows: They operate and manage, as agents for the several corporations of which they are the sole owners -except a limited interest in the Hebron and Clinton Companies-21 cotton mills, aggregating the enormous capacity of over 400,000 spin- dles, with all of the preparatory and finishing machinery, and nearly 11,000 looms, from 30 inches to 102 inches wide, making sheetings, shirtings, print cloths, three, four and five shade twills and fine cam- brics. They are the owners of the renowned " ticket " or trade mark, "Fruit of the Loom." The great demand for this grade of goods re- quires the operation of 4,500 looms. They are also bleachers and fin- ishers of cotton goods. The bleachery at Pontiac has a capacity of 22 tons of goods per day, which amount is equal to only about 60 per cent. of the production of their mills. Preparations are in progress for the improvement, reorganization and enlargement of this bleach- ery, to double its present capacity, at an early day. Their vast prop- erty consists of 15 villages, absolutely separate and independent of each other, except in their general management (as shown in the statement before named). Of the aforesaid 21 mills, 16 have been ex- tensively enlarged, reorganized and thoroughly repaired during the past eight years, requiring the expenditure of nearly five million dol-
46
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
lars. It is believed that they are unsurpassed in respect to the excel- lence of their operations and product.
The annual consumption of cotton is nearly 53,000 bales, from which are produced yarns from No. 24 to No. 60. The annual product of all the mills in cloth, considered upon the basis of the " Fruit of the Loom," would, in lineal length, amount to 77,500,000 yards, which would encircle the globe over 12 times. If this were reduced to the basis of yard wide goods, it would be nearly twice around the earth. If the yarn required in the production of the cloth, as above cited, were extended as a single and continuous thread, it would encircle the earth over 12,000 times These figures are strikingly suggestive of the wonderful, nay, even marvelous progress of the past hundred years, since the period when cotton yarns were the product of the hand spinning wheel. The actual product of the mills of the Messrs. Knight is considerably more than the aforesaid 77,500,000 yards, since 6.500 looms are weaving goods of other varieties, the productions of which are from ten per cent. to more than double the aforesaid " Fruit of the Loom."
Three of the villages, viz .: Lippitt, Fiskville and Jackson are upon the north branch of the Pawtuxet river; they each have valuable water powers. The mills are small, having an aggregate capacity of about 20,000 spindles. It is generally understood that it is the inten- tion of the Messrs. Knight to improve these properties in the near fu- ture, by the erection of new mills, adding from 75,000 to possibly 100,- 000 spindles, in which event they would reach the enormous capacity of 500,000 spindles, and over 14,000 looms.
All of their mill properties, except in Providence and Woonsocket, comprise large tracts of land. The farms are stocked with work cat- tle, young stock, and about 300 milch cows. The farm and mill ser- vice requires about 120 horses. The farming is a large interest, and it is operated mainly for the purpose of giving employment to the heads of families who would otherwise be without work, or obliged to seek employment elsewhere. The hay crop the past year was about 1,200 tons. The principal crop is potatoes, with a considerable amount of corn, oats and vegetables. About 25,000 tons of ice is gathered annu- ally, the larger part of which is sold to dealers in Providence.
Stores are maintained, where it is intended that the employees can secure goods of all description, of the best of their several kinds, at as low a cost as can be procured elsewhere, one of the chief objects be- ing to secure to the employees every advantage and privilege that can be obtained under the most favorable circumstances. In all of the villages there are competing stores, and employees exercise their free choice as to whom they will give patronage. The influences of the stores as conducted by the several corporations of this firm are of unquestioned benefit to the communities, since they secure a healthy competition, and thereby protect the buyers, who are in large part the
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
employees of this firm. The stores are conducted upon the same care- ful system as in the case of the mills. There is one general manager of all the stores, Mr. J. S. Paige, with headquarters at the Providence office. The very large business in the aggregate sales of these stores constitutes the most ample testimony as to their utility.
The Messrs. Knight own about 1,700 tenements, which are occu- pied by their employees. These tenements are principally double cottages of seven rooms for each family. They possess every conven- ience for comfortable living, and each house has from 8,000 to 10,000 square feet of land. All of the two story, four family houses, built some years since, and according to the custom of former times, with a single entrance, and with the stairs and halls for the common use of the several families, are being remodelled as rapidly as possible, and made to conform to modern ideas of correct living, to wit: that the apartments for the use of families shall be in absolutely indepen- dent groups, having no communication within the interior, and there- fore strictly private. Other important improvements are in progress and in preparation, with the purpose of making the villages in the highest degree healthful, pleasant and attractive for comfortable resi- dence.
The Messrs. Knight own the controlling interest in the Cranston Printing, Dyeing and Bleaching Works at Cranston. R. I., formerly the property of the A. & W. Sprague Manufacturing Company, and one of the largest in the country. They have also other large inter- ests, both as a firm and individually.
The firm of B. B. & R. Knight are also merchants, independent of all other operations and interests hereinbefore cited. Their principal store is on Worth street, New York. They also have agencies in Bos- ton, Hartford, Philadelphia and Baltimore, the operations of all being directed from their central office in Providence. They have no ac- counts with commission houses upon which they can draw. They sell their own goods, and carry the accounts of all of their customers. In this connection, it is worthy to observe the general policy and method pursued by this firm in the conduct of its multifarious and enormous interests. The principal raw material used is cotton. This is bought in the beginning of the season, a full year's stock is put into the store- houses of their several mills, involving an outlay of capital of about $2,500,000. This also applies in a measure to the general supplies, in- volving a large investment in stock. Aside from the foregoing, there is the stock in process of manufacture, and the large stock of goods in process of finishing, and the goods in the store-house; subject to the varying demands of the trade, seldom less than a quarter to a half million of dollars, and not infrequently amounting to the value of several millions of dollars in times of business depression. The firm do not stop their mills or curtail their production, however serious and threatening the financial conditions may be. In times when con-
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
fidence seems almost an abandoned hope, and many important interests are suspended or their operations are contracted, the Knight Mills are always in operation. It has been their policy upon such occasions to make their largest improvements and most exten- sive outlays. The savings which they are enabled to make at such periods is generally equal to the earning capacity of the mills under prosperous business. It is doubtless true that their example has been of much value, tending to support and strengthen confidence so im- portant to commercial prosperity. This policy in periods of depres- sion has been of exceeding value to many interests dependent upon them, and the result is a confirmation of the wise and judicious direc- tion which is apparent in all of their vast operations.
It is impossible to give in this brief sketch any more than a super- ficial outline. The nearer one may approach to a definite comprehen- sion of the business interests of this firm, the more fully will it be realized that they are not only unparalleled in their magnitude, but it will also appear as almost incredible that such enormous interests can be the product of single lives, and yet-as hereinbefore stated -- such is the fact, and the men whose genius, ability, economy, thrift and business sagacity have produced this almost phenomenal result are to-day in the vigor of health, and in the personal management of their enormous business operations exhibit no signs of abated energy or loss of interest.
I cannot conclude this sketch without a notice of the interest mani- fested by this firm in matters outside of the simple operations of their mills. In several of their villages they have built churches, in others large halls for the pleasure and benefit of their employees, as also for use in religious service. It is to be observed also that they contribute liberally to the support of Christian work, irrespective of their denomi- nation; their aid has been extended to Protestant and Catholic. At Hebron there is a fine church built by them for the Methodists. At Natick they are rebuilding in the most thorough, liberal and conven- ient manner the Baptist church and vestry. At Pontiac there is an Episcopal church which is worthy of especial notice. It is one of the finest in the state, a beautiful example of modern church architecture; its interior is of elegant design, tastefully decorated and most liberally furnished. It has a fine pipe organ, indirect steam heating, and a gas plant for lighting. There are beautiful memorial windows which adorn both chancel and transept. A large and spacious parish house of three stories adjoins the church building. The basement is fitted with a large hall, kitchen, and all of the conveniences and appliances for cooking tributary to the pleasures of social gatherings. It has also a full and complete equipment for gymnasium exercises. The second floor has a large vestry hall for Sunday school services, with a fine organ and two large class rooms. From one of these there is an entrance to the rector's study, and thence into the altar within the
Roberto Knight
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
chancel. From the other class room there is an entrance on one side into the vestry, and upon the other into the beautiful auditorium of the church. The third floor has a large hall and two smaller rooms, all of them fitted and furnished complete, with a library for reading rooms, and also for the use of the society in its various circles for charity work. With the completion of the rectory it will present as charming a spectacle of liberality and deep interest in Christian work and in the welfare of the employees of a corporation as can well be conceived. This church, with its several appendages and complete equipment, is the munificent gift of the Messrs. B. B. & R. Knight, and built in 1888 at a cost of about $25,000. These few examples fittingly illustrate the spirit and fore-shadow the purposes of this firm in respect to questions of a public interest, so closely inter- woven into their business management. The importance and the value of such work as this cannot be over-estimated. The interest thus exhibited is worthy of the highest commendation. The benefi- cent effects to result therefrom will be far reaching, and involve great good to both benefactor and the beneficiaries.
The benefactions of illustrious men throughout the world have by their munificent gifts contributed inestimable benefits to the people. The aid thus extended has assisted to unlock the treasure house of knowledge, to develop the arts and sciences, to bring into subjection the forces of nature, and render possible the advancement of the inter- est of all classes of the people, as now visible in the present age. Benefactors include, also, those who have attained preeminent dis- tinction as leaders in the fields of literature, science, the mechanic arts and commerce. It is the aggregation of these forces, utilized in the direction of the active labor of the people from day to day, assisted by capital representing the accumulated savings of labor in the past, that is essential to the prosperity of the people.
Benefactions differ in magnitude, and are manifest in a variety of forms. The possessor of great wealth is a benefactor, in such degree as he may devote his capital and labor in the building up of the great industries that give permanent and safe employment to the people upon the basis of a just compensation. It is especially in this role that we must regard nearly all men during the activities of their busi- ness career. It is in this light that the interests and the personal character of the subjects of this sketch are to be considered. The magnitude of their business operations and their financial success are without a parallel in the world, when considered within the lines of their field of work. The confidence reposed in them respecting the security and permanence of their business operations, and the appre- ciation and regard for their experience and judgment in the direction of such vast financial interests, as also in the counsels of the boards of direction, and in the positions of chief executive management of
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
several of the large banking institutions, constitute a factor of safety even in a community of great wealth, as in the city of Providence, where success has crowned the efforts of other men in an eminent degree.
A history of the lives and business career of these two brothers would be one of unusual interest to the present. and the generations to follow them. The contributions of their energies and labor have been of value to the world. They are men who have come up from the ranks, they have seen all sides and phases of life, from poverty to the possession of enormous wealth. The route over which they traveled is free and open to all. They have by fair, honest effort, attained unto the position which they now occupy. They are of simple habits, without ostentation or show. The interest in their employees as exhibited in the liberal plans, now in process of execution, respect- ing the order of their villages, the comfort and pleasure of the people, provision for amusement, education, church work and charities, all of which are rendered in a quiet, unassuming manner, but with a just and liberal spirit. These are evidences of a desire and purpose on their part to advance the interest of the communities where their mills are located, that must be of great value in the promotion of order, good feeling, and reciprocal interest to all concerned.
They are men of strong convictions, powerful in the natural re- sources of both mind and body; the traits of their character are pre- eminently positive. They are possessed of an indomitable spirit, an iron will, a courage that never falters. Difficulties, however formid- able, do not restrain them; whatever their judgment approves, and they believe to be right, they enter upon with a determined spirit, and pursue it until the object is accomplished. Beneath the shield of these strong forces, which have made their success, there are other qualities in their character equally deserving of mention, which have been concealed, it may be, from the public view, by the force of the circumstances which surround them. They are men of deep sym- pathies and tender hearts. All who have had the privilege of intimate personal acquaintance, or social relations, must have recognized these as strongly marked. There are many who have been the recipients of their favor in influence, financial assistance, or charity, who knew not from whence it came, or the hand which bestowed it.
The subjects of this review, who now occupy a position of such vast influence and power, were born of poor parents, trained and nur- tured by loving hearts, the principles constituting the foundations of their lives, inculcated through the teachings of a Christian mother, from necessity placed at work when very young, with but limited ed- ucational advantages. Benjamin B. upon the farm, then into the print works, from thence into the store, where he acquires the experience and practical knowledge which laid the foundation of his career as a
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HISTORY OF PROVIDENCE COUNTY.
merchant and financier. Robert in the mills at the age of eight years, working fourteen hours a day for a trifling sum, several years later receiving but $1.25 per week, possessed of the same spirit of ambition which appears so conspicuously in later life, he is enabled to surmount many of the difficulties surrounding his boyhood, and we find him as a teacher in a district school, later as a clerk in the office of John H. Clark, at Arnold's Mills, subsequently purchased by him and given its present name of Pontiac. His labor and training in the mills gave to him the necessary practical knowledge as a manufacturer, to which must be attributed in a large measure his subsequent success. Both of these brothers combine with their technical knowledge rare qualities of administrative ability, the result of great native tal- ent and training. Adding to these the great energy, the indomitable will, the steady industry and consistent labor, the careful attention to the most minute details of their business, constitutes the essential ele. ments which have secured their unparalleled success, and placed them in the preeminently distinguished position which they now occupy.
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