What was ‘mill script’ used for among textile workers?

• A. To buy goods in local markets
• B. To pay for health insurance
• C. To pay workers, redeemable only at mill stores
• D. To invest in company stocks

Answer: (C)

Mill script was a form of currency issued by textile mills to their workers as a means of payment for wages. This script was typically redeemable only at company-owned stores, allowing workers to purchase goods and supplies necessary for their daily lives. The use of mill script was particularly significant in industrial settings where companies sought to exercise control over their employees' economic activities. By limiting where workers could spend their wages, mills ensured that they remained economically tied to the company and its store. This practice was common during the late 19th and early 20th centuries when many textile mills were established in the New South, emphasizing the relationship between labor, economy, and corporate practices of the time.

The other options, while potentially relevant to labor relations, do not accurately describe the primary use of mill script in this context. Mill script served specifically as a tool for managing worker compensation and commerce within the confines of the mill's influence.