Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1892 — The Tin Plate Industry. [ARTICLE]

The Tin Plate Industry.

Colonel Ira Ayer, special agent ap- ! pointed by Secretary of the Treasury Foster to collect statistics on tin plate, has begun sending out requests for information on that subject » He has recommended to the Treasury a system of reports to bo made quarterly. Colonel Ayer explained that this work was being done in order that the Government might have information on which to act on that provision of the McKinley law which provides that on and after October 1, 1897, tin-plates and terneplates lighter in weight than sixty-three pounds per 100 squaro feet shall be admitted free of duty, unless it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the President (who shall thereupon by proclamation make known the fact) that the aggregate quantity of such plate, lighter than sixty-three pounds per 100 square feet produced in tho United states during either of the six years next preceding June 30, 1897, has equaled one-th rd of the amount of such plates imported and entered for consumption during any fiscal year after the passage of this act and prior to said Oct 1, 1897, prov.ded that the amount of such plates manufactured into articles exported and upon which a drawback shall be paid shall not be included in ascertaining the amount of such importations. Tlie statistics which Colonel Ayer is after include points on which to settle all the questions which may be raised under this section. He has recommended to the department for adoption a system of reports which prescribe that the forms of invoice shall embrace the brand, number of boxes, size, number of sheets per box, weight of box, total weight, quantity lighter than sixty-three pounds per 100 square feet and sixtythree pounds and over per 100 square feet. Statement from all the rolling mills showing the names of the manufacturers to whom sheet iron and steelhave been sold w.ll be asked for. The stamping companies will then be asked to make affidavits as to the amounts which have been stamped into articles and afterward tinned or terne-plated. Mr. Ayer said lately that he had received reports from the “Tin Plate Manufacturers’ Association of America,” which gavo the names of concerns engaged in making tinned plate and those which are preparing to do so. “Will these reporls be used in making the official statement to the Government”” he was asked. “.No, they will not, ”he said. “la making the report to the Treasury nothing will be considered except the sworn statements of the parties making the goods.” The list of concerns counted by the association as engaged in the “tin-plate industry” makes an imposing array—on paper. It includes twenty-three firms. An examination of this list, however, shows that the greater proportion are still doing a business in “futures. ” The total capacity of these plants, which ares to be completed “soon” or which “propose to make tinned plates" is put down by the association at 300,000 boxes a week, which is regarded as a very comfortable figure by those whose enthusiasm on the subject has Jed them to earn the reputation of “tin plate liars.” Closer examination of this same summary of the association shows that the statement is made that only five of the twenty-three concerns are actually making tinnei or terne plates. These five, on their own showing, havo a capacity of 3,150 boxes per week, which is said to be barely enough for samples for use in the trade.—St. Louis Republic.