Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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The mill was one of the first in the state to make this progressive step. War was declared on Germany August 1, 1914. Both cotton and cloth declined, reducing the value of Lydia's unsold stock to a loss of $10,000. The Lydia plant was i-v-\ r~\ ??r* i i m n /\ L n m IIIUIC ivll IU I ICHv. II1UI1 3UII1Lother South Carolina mills at this time because the inventory of unsold stocks had been kept to a low point. President M. S. Bailey included the following statement in his annual report: "We are looking forward to a profitable future because our products are in good demand and hold a I high reputation with the trade. The mill is in first class condition, and is partially operating at night." It was on September 10. 1917 that Dr. William P. t i r i r rni .... . 1 i Ijacoos, iounaer 01 inornwen Orphanage and Presbyterian College, and a long-time and original member of the board of directors died. In 1921 the present office ft building was erected. In 1922 nine new homes were added I to the village and 118 looms were replaced with new 40inch equipment. On April 19. 1922, Putsv Silas Bailey, father of P. Silas Bailey, died. For 20 years he had served as a director of the I mill and was highly popular with all employees. His passing was a distinct loss to the mill and community. MORE EXPANSION The year 1^23 was a busy I one lor the plant. A $55,000 addition was made to the plant itself, and $7,000 in new equipment was installed. Two classrooms and an auditorium were added to the school. A three-story extension to the mill was ordered to bring the floor space up to 185,000 square feet, and provide room for 45.000 spindles or double the number in place at that time. George H. Cornelson, Jr., vice-president of the mill today, became a member of the board of directors in that year. In 1924 Lydia and Clinton Cotton Mills executed a contract with Southern Power Company providing for the company to r u n electric power into Clinton. Very ac\ tive Baptist and Methodist churches were serving the village at this time. A five year expansion proI gram costing more than $557,000 had been completed by June of 1925. Kquipment I had been chanced from the old to the new building, and Q| the switch from steam to electric power made. By this time the mill had 31.000 spindles and 600 looms. M. S. BAILEY PASSES On February 19. 1926. MerI cor Silas Bailey, founder and | president of Lydia. passed MARCH 15, 1952 Anniversary away. In addition to this post with both Lydia and Clinton Cotton Mills, he was also president and founder of M. S. Bailey and Son. Bankers; trustee of Thorn well Orphan age, an elder in the r irst Presbyterian Church and one of the founders of Presbyterian College. Upon his demise C. M. T~ailev was named president and treasurer of Lydia. In 1928 the mill stopped making fancy goods and started print cloths, a move which proved a wise one in face of market conditions which followed. About $.'18,000 in improvements was added to the mill this year, making a total of $816,484 spent on expansion over a seven year period. One hundred new looms were added making a total of 719. A Presbyterain Church was organized in the Lydia community in 1929. and it was in this year that Miss Emily Dick pmnlnvpH tn <tprt pom " ?"r?j * munity work hero. It was well accepted and appreciated bv all from the beginning, just as it is today. TYPE OF PEOPLE A typical report on the caliber of men and women employed at the mill is taken from the minutes of June 18, 1930: "The labor situation with us is excellent. We have a fine class of the highest type labor and we are all working harmoniously together. We feel that the operatives are endeavoring to better the condition of the mill, and we in turn are endeavoring to better conditions for the operatives." Most of us remember when the depression struck in 1932. Spot cotton dropped to 5.70 cents a pound. One type o( fabric produced by Lydia dropped from 6:j4 cents a yard in 1931 to 3% cents in 1932, a drop of 14.84 cents a pound. During these trying days the mill operated just as much as possible, but community work was put on a part-time basis and wages were reduced with the full cooperation of everyone. During this time, L. W. Davis was superintendent; J. H. Von Hollen, overseer of carding; J. R. Jacob, overseer of spinning; B. D. Cox. overseer of weaving and C. L. Hairston, over the cloth room. By June of 1933 conditions were much better and the mill was running full. During May and June of the year, three 5 per cent wage increases were made bringing the pay back to the predepression scale. In June of 1934 the steam power plant located at the Clinton Cotton Mills for both Lydia and Clinton mills was opened. On July 5. 1935 C. M. Bailey died at the age of 59. While not nominally the first oresi dent of the mill, he did supply much of the spirit responsible for the erection of the mill as secretary and treasurer, and succeeded his father as president in 192(1. Under his progressive management. a small mill of 6.000 spindles and 150 looms grew to one of 54.100 spindles and 775 looms. Employment at Lydia grew from 40 in 1902 to 590 in 1955. From open fields. Lydia under his guidance crew into :> ron-mlr*!** community of 1.000 inhabitants with comfortable homes, churches, playgrounds, store ?a complete town in itself. (Cont'd, on Page 5)