Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1891 — Plate Glass and the Tariff. [ARTICLE]

Plate Glass and the Tariff.

The plate glass Industry Is a striking illustration of the fallacy of tho Republican party’s promises. For tho last ten years tho magnates have gone to Congress at each session of that honorable body and pleaded for an Increase in the duty on that article At each session it was granted, Congress no doubt thinking that the plate workers recoived handsome wages for their skill, and, of course, tho pleas that these magnates gave strengthened this bel es. If a commission could bo appointed by Congress to inquire into the condition of the plato workers and the wages that are paid thorn, It Is likely enough that Congross would reduce the tariff. * * * The time is coming when the men that work at this industry will' bo given an opportunity to go before Congress and give their owntestlmony. If this doesn’t have the effect of roduclng the tariff, it will have one good effect, and that is it will show Congress that the plate-glass magnates are the biggest liars in tho country, and it will also bo able to furnish that body with tho wages paid In this country and the amount of work that is done. It will also- be ablo to furnish the wages that are paid to- the men engaged in this industry in Europe, with the amount of work done. * * * If there is anything more wanting to convince Congress of the injustice of the plate-glate magnates, or if they are influenced by their arguments, lot this fact bo borne in mind, that plate glass can be mado cheaper in thiscouutry than it cap be made in Europe * ‘ * In America tho supply is a little short of the demand. Under this state of affairs competition is shut off. Tho glass trust is able to charge what they please for plate glass. Now, if there was any fair reasm why tho war tariff should bj continued, it would bo all right, or if the American manufacturer could not compete with tho European manufacturer, there would be sotn t excuse for this tariff; but when we havo every advantage over our competitors, there Is no excuse for us to fear thorn. When we havo now machinery that turns out nearly double the Amount of plato glass made by the old stylo machinery, aided by natural gas, low wages, long hours, and getting more work out of our men, it ought to be apparent that wo could outsell tho European in any market in the world. —National Glass Budget, official organ of Flint Glass Workers’ Union.