New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-31
BEYEFITS OF HONE INDUSTRY.

THE COST OF LABOR N TIE MANUFACTURE or sILK
AMERICAN VS.. ENGLISH woRINGwOMEN.
To the Edttor Of The Tribune.
Sir The business of manufacturing silks IN
this country direct product Of legislation, ana TIL
umph Of TIE policy Of Protection. Hence the Free
Traders have fallen the habit Of denouncing those
who have developed this industry, favored class
who have acquired the right 70 practice extoriion The
Government makes nothing, they say, and every con-
smor loses when the foreign article is taxed ana the
home manufacturer raises his prices TO the level OF the
impor and puts the OF the duty-5o or GO per
cen,-nto his pocket. Tie duty silk is direct tax on
every household the Free Trader concludes inasnuch as
ever- woman uses more less Of II; ana by combna
ton of specific and ad valorem duties the prices OF al
paca aud dress goods nearly doubled so mat poor
woman who earns dollar day has TO work ten days IN
stead Of five or six buy dress in other words the
home manufacturer gets i've days wages on TIE
dress
Now Sir Il the silk manufacturer Is to pocket The go
per cent covered by the duty he must produce MS goods
with from So to So labor cheapiy - the foreign
manufacturer does with from 81 TO Sc labor; ana ne
must DO this on the basis OF tie percentage IN Lis
expeEse and interest account which necessarily enters
into the cost Of production. Then too the question
arises: How long will 1t take "A Door English
v-orLn woman 10 earn enough money 10 buy
a new dress There are 10 Juggling
duties" to be paid there, but naaInuch a.
WAGES in England about CneOuIth the amount Ai0
for
take hey from - TO 20 days earn enougAto buy dress
~ Good a. tie one worn by Ler sister in America, upon
whom the Free Traders waste 50 much sympathy. Few
workingwomen in England have anything better than
an alpaca dress Of ordinary quality Win wages al rom
six to eight shilngs week woman there earns At,le
more than will feed and shelter her, and she Is fortunate
II she : able 70 clothe herself with cotton and the
more ordinary worsted goods. English worAlns"onen
vould be glad TO change places with American working
women who in spite OF manufacturers eXortions ."
and tariff iuggles" can 10 days enough 10 buy
a good alpaca dress.
Are there no profits let me ask. the importatons Of
foreign goods The difference between revenue tarh
and protecting is an importers profit ana nothing
else sevenyAve per cent Of our importers are foregn
ora nost Of whom have come 20 this country in the IN
erest of foreign manufacturers and many OF them Tor
TIE purpose OF making their fortunes and returning 70
their own country. Under these circumstances II Tcaiy
does not necessary that we should reduce our aD"
Ing classes beggary IN order mat importers OF foreign
birth and sympathy should make their fortunes anu re-
~ ~ their own country TO enjoy the uxuIies of their
nd build paatia homes on The borders OF the bhne
mr. cbalets in the valleys Of Switzerland Few any
American manufacturers have retired from Dus!-
ness save BY misfortune. II their wealth has III
creased il has been devoted TO the increase OF
rroduct until home competition las produced
tuin, nrots The silk industry is truly The creature
10 in this country, il has been in all Others
and to-day there article Of silk manufactured ID is
country that is not cheaper and il most cases better IN
quality for the e Of the consumer than the same goods
were under tire tariff Of % per cent duty An article OF
silk paving duty of % per cent and coslngthe importer
- er ward would be sold 10 The consumer at from - %
TO So 75 The goods can now be FURNISHED 10 Inc
consumer of American manufacture, at from 50 - to
50 so per yard In this the consumer loses nothg
but the importers occupation is nterfered WITH and lie
makes an oucry about the enormous prohis OF the manu-
facturer 1t may be interesting 10 examine the following
figures which am permitted 10 take from an importers
books:
The amount Of sales from 1851 10 1865 inclusive ~ on
The profits the same
foreign goods cOsnS
Were sold tor $500
Txs il equal 10 Sc per cent gross proh ana Hs con-
Germ gave employment equal TO the support OF about ten
rons whereas If tie goods had been manufactured in
This country il would have gwen employment to more
than 200 persons during the Ii years. PROTECTION
Ac.r- Tnrk NAV ~. 1873.