Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 May 1892 — VICTIMS OF THE TARIFF [ARTICLE]

VICTIMS OF THE TARIFF

MEN WHO DO NOT"ENJOY THE TIN-PLATE FARCE. Owners of Factories Whose Business Is Curtailed—Labor Cost in Europe and the United States—Continuation of McKinley's Account. The Tariff Bobbery. The New York Tribune and other high-tax papers are going into ecstasies over the report of Ira Ayer, Special Agent of the Treasury Department, on the tin plate industry. The report shows that during the quarter ending March 31, 1892, nineteen manufacturers produced about 3,000,000 pounds of tin and terne plates, about two-thirds of which were terne plates; and that the production for the past fiscal year has been 4,527,230 pounds, of which 1,335,058 pounds were tin plate. As our annual consumption of tin plate is about 400,000,000 pounds, our last year’s product would supply us for about three days, and is equal to about one per cent, of our total needs. To attain this magnificent standing among the tin plate

manufacturing nations of the earth, we are now taxing ourselves at the rate of ten or twelve million dollars per annum, and have expended, during the last fifty years, perhaps one hundred and fifty million dollars for the same purpose. This expense, however, as great as it is, does not begin to equal the indirect cost to us, due to the injury done to other industries by high-priced tin plate. An idea of this indirect expense and injury can be gained by reports from various large consumers of tin plate made in the National Provisioner of April 30, 1892. The National Provisioner is the “organ of the provision and meat industries of the United States.” It advocates the interests of its subscribers, and is not biased in favor of any theory. The following extracts are from this number of the National Provisioner: “In view of the fact that the bill of the Hon. T. L. Bunting providing for the reduction of the duties on tin and terne plates, a copy of which was published in a recent number of this journal, has been introduced in Congress and will come up for discussion in a week or two, the directors of the Tin-Plate Consumers’ Association have endeavored to ascertain what the effect of the increased duty has been upon the business of the consumers of tin platff throughout the country. They have, therefore ( sent out a circular asking consumers of tin plates what the effect of the tariff has been on their business, and in response have received answers from most of the large consumers.

“For want of space not all of these answers can be published, but a selection is made which constitutes a fair average of their general tone, which shows pretty plainly what the effect of the increased tariff has been upon the people who cut up in their business four-fifths of the entire quantity of tin plate used in the United States.” Fairport, N. Y.: “We used 4,800 boxes year. Payment of McKinley duty required additional capital. In some branches increased cost of our goods compelled us to cut down wages of laborers to meet popular prices. In making baking powder cans increased cost of article and unwillingness on the part of our customers to pay increased price caused us to lose the business of some of the best of our customers. After two or three months of experimenting with others they returned to us, having learned that we were not trying to rob them, but w?re, like others, only asking a fair prictf oh the trnsis of the government making us pay heavier taxes for the privilege of doing business. We have jeftn heavy exporters of canned goods, but we feat that we will have to give up or greatly reduce our export trade. In the English and Scotch markets especially, Canada Is selling at less than goods cost us. Canada pays no duty. Rebate does not place us on an equality. On fifty cases of pears rebate would not pay expenses of obtaining it. We pay duty on a full sheet of tin. The rebate does not cover waste in cutting round blanks.” Salem, Ohio;

“We have substituted galvanized Iron for tin in consequence of the increased cost of the latter.” Adrian, Mich.: “To increase the cost of No. 3 cans, the size most used by us, an average of 60 cents per hundred, and other sizes in proportion. We are not extensive packers, but the cans used by us last season cost over $4,000 more than the same quantity would have cost in 1889, This loss must be borne by us or by the producers of fruits and vegetables, or both. The canning industries have been greatly crippled by the increase of duty on tin plate. We have used the same help as before, but paid less wages per day." Indianapolis, Ind.: “To reduce our profits to such a narrow margin as to cause the desire to have our capital invested in some other enterprise, or abandon our present business altogether." From a Boston packing house: “Packed in our East Boston factory in 1890, 56,000 cases; in 1891, 35,345. Falling off, 20,655; decrease of help, twentyfive weekly hands. Gutter pipe, etc. ” Cambridgeport, Mass.: “To increase the cost a dollar a box instead of a natural decrease of some 30 cents a box. Not nearly so much business in our line is done as there should be. Results: Fewer hands employed, consumers paying more than they ought, manufacturers not making fair profits. Decrease of help, seven hands.” From Buffalo:

“Increased cost of tin plates, diminished profits, the substitution of other materials for tin plates, a good deal of misrepresentation and demoralization.” From a Boston can factory: “That business has decreased some on account of the higher prices of goods.” Baltimore: “To add the duty to the cost of the goods, and necessarily we have sold at a higher price than if there had been no increase. ” Philadelphia: “ Unfavorable, increased cost of material; and not being able to advance I prices, wo are out the difference. The i tendency is also to use inferior materials and decrease wages, and in various ways to make up.” Philadelphia: “To advance the price of tin about one dollar per box, with the same cost of packing, and goods selling at same prioe as before the increase of duty. ” Worcester, Mass.: “That we are doing less business. Decrease of help, three hands. Syracuse, N. Y.: “To add the cost of the tin to the cost of the lanterns. Syracuse, N. Y.: “To cut down my trade in roofing tin more than one-half, making a considerable loss to my income, and, more than this, has forced a number of my smaller customers to retire from the business and to seek other occupations. I am not able to purchase roofing tin of American manufacture at marketable prices, only high-priced goods being offered—too high for the average consumer. ” Baltimore: “To increase the oost of production.” Buffalo, N. Y.: “Decreasing consumption; economic labor; smaller margins. ” New York City: “Compelled us to raise our prices."

Baltimore: “Quite a falling off in the demand for cans, owing to the increased duties, which have advanced the cost of tin plates about $1.30 per box. We have had to decrease our help about one-fifth.” Greenwich, N. Y.: “Very much against us. We are running a smaller force, and will have to put up less goods than formerly. Decrease of help, three hands." Northville, Mich.; “To reduce our profits. We cannot charge any more for our condensed milk than we did before. We are taxed to help others establish the manufacture of tin plate in the United States. Our output is small yet. We are paying SI,OOO a year to help others. The decline in sugar has helped us about SI,OOO a year, so between the two it is a stand-off. ” Cleveland, Ohio; “To Increase the cost of our goods by the extra duty.” Detroit, Mich.: “In previous years our business has increased about 50 per cent, each year, and last year only about 15 per cent., entirely owing to the increase of prices made necessary by the duties.” Philadelphia: “To lessen profits by increase of cost In materials. We have had to decrease our help irregularly.’’ Louisville, Ky.: “Decrease in the sales on terne plates. Many persons refusing to pay the advanced prices due to the tariff. Decrease of help, five per cent. ” Subletts, Va.“To make us pay $230 more for 215 boxes of tin.”