National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-20
Home Manufacturers.

To the Editor orthe National Republican:
SIR: Much has been written and said in reg ard
to the desirability Establishing ctories in
this District, and many efforts have been made
to accomplish this result. Public attention has
been repeatedly called to the valuable water
power on the Potomac, near the city, which
would If located in New England attract to It
millions Of capital and settle the country around
It for miles with busy population. We have
advertised our cheap land, cheap fuel, our Gen.
trail location the facilities for reaching the South
and West as well as the North and East; we
have exempted capital from taxation for q term
ofyears as an inducement for its investment here,
but it does not come. Why not? The reason to
mymind is obvious. Its that while everybody talks
nobody dees anything towards establishing man.
ufacturies here, and very little .encour agementis
offered to those who are willing to take the ven
ture. Undoubtedly II one new manufacture could
be successfully established here, and result In
large dividends to its stockholders, 1t would Civ,
confidence and encourage the investment Of CAPT.
tai in others. But how is the first to become sue
cessful If men are allowed to combine and con.
pire to break down and destroy infant enterprise,
which are started here as soon as their existence
becomes known. Many citizens of Washington
will be surprised TO learn that there is in full
operation within few miles of this city one o.
the largest, If not the largest, Terra Gotta man
ufactories in the country. This company ovrs
large tracts Of valuable lands and are extending
their works to supply not only this, but the
Southern and Western markets with sewer-pipe-
and other Terra Gotta work. And they will prob
ably be still more surprised to learn that this
company, which is employing the idle labor Of
the District, and not only keeping money here
which was formerly sent abroad, but is bringing
money here from abroad, is meeting an or
ganiEed opposition from the plumbers Of this city
To particul&riTe, this association Of monopolIsts
fet n prfnhe an all Material uBeQ 6Y
them in their business, whic.E: nrices are On an
average more than one hundred per cent. higher
than they themselves pay. They then agree
hrst, that they will not do any work unless they
furnish the material, and that they will charge
the full price Oh such material thus giving them
g profit of one hundred per cent. They then de-
mand that every body dealing in such material
monopolists) charge to all except to members Of
the association Of monopolists, who receive dis
count OF fifty to sixty per cent.
But how, It is asked, can they enforce such out
rsgeous demands? It is done IN this way. There
are but two establishments in the city which deal
or two in Baltimore. These establishments are |
mainly dependent upon the plumbers for their |
tate to these dealers the terms on Which they
shall sell, and prohibit all members Of the asso-
citation frem purchasing any material from them |
The Potomac Terra Gotta Company having re.
fused to comply with the terms dictated by the
monOpOus1, tney nave 1orDlQden the dealers In |
plumbers material selling the pipe manufac-
tured by said company, and forbidden its use by |
members Of the association. Thus we have con-
spiracy TO break down an important msnufac-
tory. Now, II the masons will combine, and |
agree not 70 build any buildings unless they
can furnish the brick, and will demand |
double the price they pay for the same, and |
the carpenters and plasterers and painters do |
likewise, It would produce o fne condition Of |
affairs and make house keeping rather an expen-
sve luxury. II, then, the various tradssRsn Of |
Washington, the grocers, the dry goods dealers, |
the dealers In wood and coal and the mRrket-men
would "go and do likewise, )" Washington would |
be nice (quiet) place to live In and the question
of the removal Of the Capital would never more
be agitated. In justice to the plumbers Of Wash
ington, 1t ought TO be said that, while majority
ofthem are members Of the association referred |
to, they do not sympathiIe with its objects, and
only act with 1t 10 protect their business and avoid
the Inconvenience and annoyance of being driven |
to Philadelphia and New York to obtain the ma
terial necessary to carry on their business. few
Of the principal plumbers control the whole thing
for their own advantage, and compel the small |
fry to pull the chestnuts out Of the IRE for them.
1t remains to be seen whether the customers of |
these plumbers will submit to this Arrangement,
or whether they will patroniEe those who are con-
tent to deal fairly and do business at reasonable
rates, and whether the citizens of W ashington
Will tolerate a conspiracy which strikes at the |
very root Of its prosperity, and is dangerous 1t
is clegraceiul. ANTI-MONoPoLY.