The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-13

va tHi ltilN hli'W lllih Nl'H ulltflfl anu
brought 10 trial they could get off to the
last man by oil turning States evidence
Tho decline in wages. which Is wording so
much hardship here, il starting in England
n discussion of the probabilities Of our sue
cc-sfuly and largely competing for the
trade which Englishmcn have long regard
cd a. their secure possession. England.
like the United States. is now experiencing
the ills Of n period of commercial dcprcs-
sion. and n cry has been raised that English
manufacturers are being beaten by Cont
Mental competitors. But after patient in
vcstigation, competent Judges seem to be
agreed that the present unsatisfactory
state of trade cannot, 10 any important OK
tcnt, be attributed To this cause. Statistics
Of manufactures. imported and exported,
show that 50 far as regards the Continent
ut least, there is no ground for alarm in
England.
In this country, however, the conditions
of Industrial production have undergone SO
marked n change In the last five years that
the London Economist acknowledges that
possibly the United States is about to be-
come Englands most formidable rival"
Tho present low wages here. and the vast
accumulation Of capital. which is Obliged To
accept rate Of interest little If at all
above the English standard, together with
our advantages in the way Of cheaper raw
materials. are enabling us to run COMPETE
ion formerly impracticablc with the older
country.
Tho competition is likely TO be first felt
in the two leading industries OF England
cotton and iron. We can get the raw mate
rails moro chcapy. and at the present
price ol labor We can manufacture thom at
about the same cost Besides We are now
beating the English in the quality of some
wares, and by the aid OF admirable machin-
cry. are able to undcrscll them in others.
For instance. American machinists are TAX
ing contracts for locomotives at prices
which English makers are compelled 10 de-
cline. our locomotives are, it is true, less
costly than those Of English manufacture
because Of their lighter construction; but
they are just as well adapted a. the Eng.
lsh to the needs OF many buyers and in
some respects are better adapted. and So
they get the market. The Economist con-
fcsscs that our tools are superior to the
English in finish, lightncss. and posc, if not
in quality Of metal; and that these are i'm
portant requisites in many climates.
The London Engineering, which is now
publishing series Of elaborate articles on
English industries and American cOmpc-
ttion, thinks that we have decided adj
vantage over England in the superior or
der system, and cleanliness Of our work.
shops and factories, especially in New Eng
land. The Use Of anthracite coal through
'out all the country east Of the Allegheny
mountains pcruits cleanliness which Is
impossible in England where bituminous
coal i burned we venture the opinion"
says the EHgiHsrnN. that the influence
az ~F-tru nnd order arising cut OF possible
cleanliness has much iu do with tn" succc.,
i'm America Of those industries whore minute
pieces are dealt with, such ~ clocks watch
cs, sewing machines, and the varied kinds
Of hardware which Is polished, japanned,
or otherwise oruamentcd"
Our northern climate, too, nccesstatcs
artificial warming during about half Of the
year. and requires good buildings and
close attention to the economy OF fuel The
heating has personal comfort for its object,
and while dealing with temperature atten-
ton Is directed to other comforts. such as
light and cleanliness. 1T pays to have
warm and comfortable place for men to
work. Is a remark one often hears in Amer
lea. The best shops and factories have the
best workmcn, and rs general rule the
character OF n building and its comforts are
reflected in tho work done within its walls"
This authority, however, thinks that our
iron industry must always suffer in COM
parison with that Of England from climatic
conditions the great variations in heat and
cold-whch frequently interfere with its
continuous progress. 1.-Two months Of the
summer in America is SO hot that, even il
men manage To- work around furnaces tho
cncrvatIng effect is such as. to greatly inn
pair their physical powers; besides, the cX-
posture increases wages by reason Of the
risk and discomfort" says this writer; hut
he probably oXaggcrates the i'll effects Of
the weather on the industry Tho almost
entire absence Of opposition to labor-snving
appliances in the United States is also count
ed in our favor
stu, though we may see ourselves grow
ing into formidable competitor lor tho
trade of England, we cannot fail to lament
if We must make the progress at the expense
Of the welfare Of American workngmcn.
Sclf-COntradictOry Again.
our esteemed contemporary, the HCrdM,