Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Page 12 Hamilton About Iit "The textile industry has a very serious and potentially fatal problem ? imports," warned Clinton Mills Marketing Planning Manager Josh Hamilton at a recent Clinton Lions Club meeting. "Encouraging the public to buy American made products is only one of many means the industry is taking to combat this problem," he said. "All you have to do is look around right here in Laurens County and surrounding towns and you can see plant closings, reduced work weeks, and much general uncertainty about the future growth of the American textile industry," Hamilton said. "Our problem is not one of a lack of capital to invest in new production equipment because our industry has invested a record amount in capital exenditures. Our problem is not one of an unmotivated, poorly trained work force because our employees are among the most productive in the world, and textile management is one of the most energetic groups in the world, and our plants are the most modern anywhere," Hamilton said. mmmsmmm I Christmc J f rot K nmon (rao U il VJI I I I 1 stand. ave off tree lighting for n lights or a revolving colc emember to check toys contain lead. f you buy new tree decora for the UL label-approved < elect toys without sha removed parts that can bi oys are for children, child's age group. / ? ake sure that decorati paper are away from c^ Jj A \ Iways buy fire-proof c< flameproof them by di pound of chrystalline b acid powder to two gall< afety is a frame of mind. I bate Christmas. i talks lports "The problem we're facing is purely and simply political. The United States government will not allow us to compete on an even basis with foreign manufactureres," he said. "American textile employees are losing their jobs by the thousands because our marl/ofc orn Koinn I r>\_ u ait i_>\_ ii ig i iuuucu uy tucdp 1111 pur lb from countries which subsidize their industries, encourage dumping of their products at disruptive prices, and they engage in other illegal and unfair practices." When asked by a Lions Club member to describe the working conditions in a typical textile plant in the United States, Hamilton outlined efforts by the domestic industry to provide a clean, safe work environment, excellent fringe benefits, and competitive wages which allow employees and their families a comfortable standard of living. Joining Hamilton on the program was Clinton Mills Vice President Claude A. Crocker. "If textile products made in the U.S.A. were purchased instead of imports, 750,000 job opportunities would be ere ated," said Crocker. "The textile industry wants everyone to mmsm is Safety i and keep it in a water-filled It aetal trees; use colored spot >r wheel. to be sure the paint doesn't itions or electrical toys, look and safe. rp corners or small, easily e swallowed. id; buy toys suitable for the ions or discarded wrapping indies or an open fireplace. astumes and decorations or pping in a solution of one orax and 1 3 ounces of boric ? f hih WSl N ^ MARKETING PLANNER?Josh Hamill Clinton Mills, recently addressed the Clin textile imports could prove fatal to the fi know that imports of fabrics and finished goods are flowing into the United States at an alarming rate. For the first time ever, the entire textllP industry ha<; mnnnltH a natiAn. wide campaign to stimulate consumer and retailer awareness of the quality of American made products and the importance of buying American made textile products," he said. Three Importai What are the three important words that mean the best quality buy for American shoppers? The answer is "U.S.A." As in "Made In U.S.A." Nothing else comes close. That is according to the respected Roper Organization, which found that country of origin has a strong bearing on what Americans think of the products they buy. The Roper survey found that to 98 percent of consumers, the words "Made In U.S.A." mean top quality. Dead last in the quality ranking was "Made In Taiwan." Taiwan is a major exporter of textile and annarpl nrnrlnrK tn the United States. The Roper survey confirms authoritative government and private opinion polls which say, in effect, Americans believe American products are "Crafted with Pride." Remember that consumers' desire to buy American textile and apparel products is what gave birth to the Crafted With Pride In U.S.A. campaign more than one year ago. Consumers have also been saying that nftpn thpv/ aron't cum 4~ - ? i juit men me jjiuuucis mey have been buying were made in America. To remove any doubt about the or,gin of textile and apparel products, two days before Christmas manufacturers must start prominently displaying labels saying "Made In U.S.A." on all textile and apparel products made in this country. That's not all. Catalogues must disting uish whether textile and apparel products are imported or domestic. The Crafted With Pride program ignites enthusiasm for American products. The new labeling law will help carry consumer enthusiasm into action. However, this Christmas shopping season virtually will be over before the new labeling law takes effect, so shoppers will have to be especially diligent to find American textile and apparel products. 11 ' - 0 ton, marketing planning manager for ton Lions Club. Hamilton warned that American textile industry. "For those of us whose livelihood is dependent on textiles, the buy American campaign is not just a slogan." Crocker said. "It's a statement of truth of an industry that is struggling." Following Crocker's remarks, Mack Parsons presented an 80 slide presentation outlining the significance of buying Americanmade products. nt Words J For example, just because a sweater or other knitted product has an American look, don't be fooled into believing that it is Made In U.S.A. The fact is that most knitwear on merchants' shelves this Christmas season are imports, but it is still possible to find American goods. Imports have doubled since 1980 and are running more than 40 percent greater in 1984 than in 1983. Buying imports takes American jobs. Buying American textile and apparel products builds American jobs. In fact, for every million yards of imports, 100.000 new textile and apparel jobs could be created. This can be a Crafted With Pride In U.S.A. Christmas. But only if it begins with you, your co workers, friends, relatives and merchants who believe a job and a future are the finest gifts of all. Ui ?. 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