New-York tribune., 1878-02-16
1MERICAN MANUFACf fURERS PROTESTING.
ANOTHER SIDE OF THE IRoN-TUBE QUESTION AND
TIRE TARIFF.

ANOTHER SIDE OF THE IRON-TUBE QUESTION AND
TIE TARIFF
TO tae Edftor OF The Trt6une.
SIR: An extraordinary effort to influence the
action Of the committee of Congress on WAYS and Means
is being made by American agents in the interest of the
English and Scotch manufacturers OF iron boer-tubes
and ppes The ann Is to change the existing tariff on
those articesa proposal which, however fair it seems
to the average reader at first glance, proves upon an
Investigation OF the actual facts, mlnifestly unfair
The present duty has been barely sufficient to
induce % few Americans to embark in the
manufacture OF iron boilerubes and pipes The pro-
cess is Of great decacy requiring an enormous in-
yes,lnent In machinery and large outlay IN special
preparations for this industry The American manufac-
turcrs induced by the protection offered by the Govern
ment have lust completed their establishments and
have succeeded in establishing very high standard OF
quality in manufacture but the margin OF profit has
been so small that persons have had the to
assume the necessary outlay. These few have risked
largo fortunes in that enterprise solely upon their faith
in the Governments action.
The foreign tubes, which are compared by the English
importers with the American tubes for the purpose Of
showing that the former cheaper not used in
England for boilers but the loves. grade OF English
tubing and when imported here require to be tipped or
safeended" before being used Their use, then pre-
pared u highly dangerous to human life To this fact
tne,ayerage boilermaker may sometimes be indifferent
hut II ia very grave matter for the consideration Of the
people.
change in the present duty az this time must result
I'm entirely destroying the American industry and c0nse-
auently in ruin 10 the American manufacturer. The
Government IN this matter should be guided by motives
of public policy and, unless reduction of the tariff Is
TO prove great gain to the public at large. the Amer-
can manufacturers should not he ruined. What will be
the good effect 10 the pubc NOne for the pricest OF
the British inferior tubing has huctuaed with every
variation in the American article and the price of the
former has been only tribe less than that of the best
American tubing which has been, therefore, gem
orally preferred. In case the duty Is removed,
IL means an increased price for British tubing and
total absence OF the American tubing In the year 1868
tubes rose from 80 cents II cents foot in the next
year falling back 10 81 cents from local causes that
could not possibly affect British tubes Yet the prices Of
British tubes with the American prices. For the
last year the English have not been able to compete with
us and now they urge a reduction in the tariff Ameri-
can tubing has decreased in price steadily from 1870
cents In 1854 to II cents in 1874, and this has
been accomplished by the American manufacturers.
Let the committee in Congress understand that to
lessen the tariff ruin TO the American indus
try which has gone on making investments upon the
faith OF the very slight encouragement the Government
has afored Ii means 10000 laborers unemployed, and
their famlies-certanly 100000 persons. in all, now
supplied by this industry with the necessities OF life-in-
stantly cut of from the OF subsistence II means
ruined and bankrupt manufacturers with their capital
and manufac tories forfeit to this reduction. Congress
has no right this time suddenly to discriminate In
favor English industry. Free trade III this matter
must OF course eventually, but the present Is 10
time for It, In short period there is every prospect
that the American tubing, with the improving machin
cry. can compete with English tubing III the English
market, as American prints now do.
There are hundreds Of articles from which the tariff
NAV be suddenly withdrawn without destroying the
American manufacturer, and from these articles the
duty may, with wisdom be removed. But TO remove 1t
from tubing will bring no benefit to the consumer. for
British tubing almost much as the Ameri-
can and If the duty is withdrawn from the American,
the British tubing will rise in price The proposed re-
moyal will cause the oberatiOn and destruction Of
So 600 900 invested in the American mills. and II will
involve bad faith bad policy toward the American
manufacturer. Public policy dictates no change at
present industry Is essential In times when for
egn supply is cut Off and cannot then be conured into
existence by wave Of the hand. HOME INDUSTRY
NeIc- York, Feb 15 1873