Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 January 1891 — M'KINLEY PRICES [ARTICLE]

M'KINLEY PRICES

CONTINUE TO GO UP-BUT WAGES ABE ON THE DOWN GRADE.* [From an article ntitled "Blessings of Protection,” Philadelphia Press, Dec. 26.] “A. Flanagan <fc Bro. are satisfied that business is looking np. Double-reeled yams, a little finer grade than gray yarns, have advanced over 34 per cent., and the dealer is beginning to run after the manufacturer. “James Leach, of the Ashland Mills, manufacturer of woolens and worsteds, said Kentucky jeans and shoddy jeans were going np, and all the higher class wool goods are advancing. “Carter & Lord, manufacturers of blankets and yarns, said the business prospects were good. Confidence is restored and the prices of all kinds of stock are ruling higher. ” The Press promptly announced in its news columns some time ago the fact that the Philadelphia manufacturers had increased the price of carpets, saying “there has been an advance of 10 oents a yard, and the price may go 15 cents a yard higher yet.” Hardware, in its issue of December 10, discoursed with much satisfaction concerning “the tariff on scissors,” and ended by saying: “The recent legislation will thus be seen to fix the rate on scissors at a higher figure than any preoeding schedule. It is understood that|the|lead)ngflrmß‘have increased prices, in consequence, about 10 per cent. The charges imposed upon cartons, under the customs administration bill have also had an effect upon the prices of those goods.” It is not the imported article alone that has been effected thus agreeably to producers, for at least two domestic manufacturers have announoed an increase in the price of shears and other cutlery.

[From the Worcester, Mass.,Spy, Nov. 25.] “As the result of the new tariff, the Stevens Linen Works, the largest of the kind in the United States, whose goods are sent to all parts c f the country, nave given notice of the following advance in the price of goouB: Towels, $ 1 to SL2S, $1.50 to $1.70, $1.75 to $2 per dozen; huck towels, $2 to $2.30, $2.50 to $2.85 ?er dozen; napkins, 75 cents to 90 cents, 1 to $1.15 per dozen; table dama-ks. 25 oents to 29 cents, 30 cents to 35 ceuts, 40 cents to 46 centsjper yard; linen towe rings, 5 cents to 54 cents, 7 to 84 cents, 10 to 114 cents, 12 to 134 cents per yard; chinill table covers, 75oents to -1, $1.50 to sl-75 each; table cloths, 75 cents to 90 cents, $1 to $1,15, $1.25 to $1.30 each.” '

The following is from the Chicago Grocers’ Criterion; “The manufacturers of pressed glassware, as soon as the new McKinley bill went into operation, began to shove up prices." They .appear to have followed t'ie example set by the manufacture.s of window glaßs, who raised ther pr cos threo times while the bill was pending, bein;/confident that the duties wouidbesatisfacto y, and who are now said to be contemplating onother odvance. In the course of some remarks tboui the wholesale clothin trade, the commervia Bulletin s .ys th .t the small part of the cloiq yet to be pu - chased for next spring’s consumption ’will show an a vance of from 10 to 1. per cent., which will add 6 or 8 per cent, to the re-' tail price of the garment." It also says: “The final adjustment of prices willundoubttdlv be gradual. The new tariff must infiuenoe higher values for olothing, but just how high no one at this time oan say« And the daily toiler who finds he is unable to own two suits, much as he might need and desire, on - account of the increased cost will be compelled to accept Say Gonld’s advice and be content with one Buit. Secretary Windom asked the House lately for $25,000 with which to pay duties on imported goods used in the equpment on lighthouses. Under she old law the Government paid no duties on goods imported for its use. The only difference is the extra service required of the officials of the treasury making payment to the custom house, ana, the officials of the custom house returning it to the treasury. Suppose, however, Mr. Windom had asked for $-5,000 to meet the increased cost on a home product, made possible by the McKinley bill, then this amount would be paid into the coffers our home monopolies, and the treasury would be out to that extent. By the way, we suggest that theJMt. Ayr News andßensselaer Republican brethren sail into Mt. Windom for importing goods. Of course the $25,000 would be paid out of the treasury into the custom house, and from the custom house back into the treasury again, but according to the patriotic? the. ones of these brethren t e government should not exact sacrifices of the laboring mass that it will not cheerfully concede. If Mr. would follow out the McKinley theory he would give the $25,090 to the combines in this country- he wo’d pay that much more than the actual value of the'goods just to enhanoe the wealth of the Caraegies and that ilk.