Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 June 1884 — THE TARIFF. [ARTICLE]

THE TARIFF.

bow rr affects the shoe manufacturers—litteb FROM MB. JAMES MEANS. The question that is most interest* ing to our trade at tbe present time, says tbe Boston Boot end Shoe Recorder, is this; What would be the benefits to the shoe manufacturers of this country under a system of free trade? and, furthermore, could we compete with the world under a system of free trade? These questions were asked a well-known shoe manufacturer, Mr. James Means, and he was invited to answer them, neing selected from alljothers from,tbo fact that we knew he had made d study of this matter and given it more than ordinary attention. His reply is as follow*; Bostnm, May 22.—1 have received yours of the 10th met, in which you ask: “ »\ hat would be the advantage of free-trade to the boot uud shoe manufacturing industry of the United States?” So far as I am enabled by the opportunities for observation and study of this matter which I have had, I will answer your inquiry, although within the limits of a single article it will be only possible to do so in a genet el way, Concerning this subject, the most important point to determine is, what would be the probablo effect of free trade ou tbe working people engaged upon the production of boots and shoes! Tnis industry being one of the largest in our couatry. it is a matcer of the greatest consequence to ascertain, if we may, whether or uot free trade would favorably affect ihe mass of the people who are dependent upon this for their support. Foi the sake of elearn ss, it may be well t begin by stating one or two facts eoncerniug the commercial and industrial condition of the business. I sbali make statement* which 1 think, are ind sputable. 1. Very many of the operatives in boot and shoe factories at present have, and ror mauy years past have hau, only inconstant employment, and are dependent for subsistence for the whole year upon what they can earn during a part of it. In each year they have to suffer a period of enforced idleness, when they would gladly wont if opportunity offered. I do not mean to say that the factories are closed for any considerable time during the year, but that the custom of “lushing trade* in tne middle of the seoson calls for extra help, who have what “short jobs.” 2. In regard to our machinery and equipments, it w.lr not be denied that these are incomparably supeiior to those possessed by any other nation. Not only is our machinery the most perfect in the world, but the equipment and organization of our factories, the results of the highest kind of business science, are nownere equaled or even approached. If these stat raents are correct it would naturally appear that the United States ought to control the boot and shoe markets of tbe world. Our factories should run steadily through the year. Amerieau operatives sho’d be constantly employed at good wages. Every ship that sails for the large f,reign ports should have American boots and shoes for a part of her cargo.

But what is the exact atate of things? American operatives are suffering want for lack of employinent, and our boot and shoe exports amount to nothing worth consideration. With all her splendid facilities, America sits in a dull and slupid attiiude, aDd undisturoed sees the boot and shoe markets ot tee world controlled by foreign competitors, who are in every wey but one far beneath her. Bow. if we can not sell our boots and .-hoes in foreign markets there must be some reason sot it. What that reason is it is important for us to find out We have seen that it can not by any possibility be that it is 1 lu;-k of facilities for production. We are, therefore, irresistably driven to the conclusion that there is something out of joint somewhere else If this something be not the turiff, what is it? In the tariff we find everything we need to solve oui problem. The tariff, the Chinese wall which bars us from our market, must be responsible for it all. If auy one refuses t© accept this as the truth let him explain iu some other way why it, is that, we can not sell our boots and shoes abroad. The burden of the tariff axes that rests upon all the people is ignorantly borne by many. It is easy to tax people if thev <an be taxed without their knowing it When the city of Boston sends me a tax bill, I know it; but when ono of the lasters in mv factory t> U y 3 a pound of sugar on his way nomo, he pays a tax and does not know it. That is the difference. It. may take yems to show the working people of America how hdavlly the burdens of the tariff taxes bear down upon them; but when the Inatter is once tx lainer; to them they will understand it. Factory operatives are not half as ignoraut as some people who never come in contact with them suppose. They know when they are well treated; they read the papers intelligen ly, and they can see a point when it is clear. Some sopl.a istry they cannot penetrate', but tney are altogether too knowing to believe the hypocritical protectionist talk about the “pauper labor of Europe.” My answer to your question, then, is believe that free trade, by removing the tariff taxes which now rest so heavily upon our operatives, would in time so greatly increase the purchasing power of a day’s labor that the decreased cost of production of boots and shoes resulting theres from would open to our boot and shoe manufacturing industry 6uch an enormous foreign trade that steady employment would be given to an

| Immense number of opent.ves who : are now idle or partially so. Con- ! fined as we are to our home market, our factories are compelled to run by seasons; the result is that some of the operatives are worked too hard in tbe middle of the season and are short of work at other times. An export trade would tend to equalise the demand for goods throughout the year. If one declares himself to e a free-trader it does not necessarily mean that he must be looked upon as a dangerous individual who would advocate sudden measures which would do violence to existing Indusi tries. The majori‘y of free-tradeis, I think, are full believers in the soundness of tne views expressed by Charles Francis Adams, Jr., who. while believing in free trade as a goal, still holds that the approach to it mast be gradual- To this end we are working, and the goal will be reached iu due time. The sentiment of tbe people is unquestionably on the right side. All that is needed is thorough organization and plenty of hard ; vyork io a campaign oi popular en- ' lightenment, in order that the people at no far-off day may have the op» por'.unity ot giving expression to their sentiments at the polls. - . ■■■ ■ Mrs. Margaret Boothe, of Decatur county, Ind.. sister of Mother Hammond, and aunt of the Judge, is vis. iting relatives and friends in this vi-; cinity. The runaway of Charlie Pulllns’ team, last Saturday, might have re suited very disastrously, Fortunate * ly no one was injured.