The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-16


the cheapest pro luctions having equal merit Of
other countries it follows that goods produced
for the "home trade are even more independent
OF protection by customs duty. Prices obey the
law OF supply ana demand, and in these home
conditions. irrespective of the tariff. The duty
neither helps nor hindcrs the profit or loss Of
manufacturers ut the present time. li
[. a. American manufacturers do not produce the
finest qualities of cotton CLOTH such w muslins
fine cambrics, &c., not because they cannot
timer thread having been spun here than any
ever produced by machinery in Englandl but be,
the available markets for such cloths would
not sustain u manufacture of suffic sent magni-
tude to be profitable. The average count or num-
Der OF yarn produced is about 20. some
five or six numbers coarser than the average OF
England immense production. Some mills spin
up to Nos. 90 and so, though they are but few
that spin finer than No. 4Oyarn. There is a ton
dency in New England to the production of liner
goods, but such change IL Of slow growth and
present conditions are unfayorable to its prog
ress. 1t is generally supposed that the produc
ton OF cloth finer than No. 35 still needs protec-
ton against the competition Of foreign goods in
our home markets.
b. 1t is supposed, indeed it seems to be demon
strated. that America is now making all cotton
goods OF the coarser sorts ut less cost of pro-
duction than the cost of the goods in Eng
land few months ago. prior to the recent severe
reductions in wages, but cannotyet produce very
fine goods as probably.
c. From 1868 to 1876 probably 40 per cent Of
the cotton machinery set up anew was imported.
The capacity OF the home machine shops was not
thus sufficient to supply the sudden demand for
new and enlarging mills. During the last three
years % Per cent or more has been made at
home. The home shops build all kinds OF
j machinery used in cotton mills. and can put
any portions of it, except mules and rowing frames
POSSIBLY these also) into the home mills at
cost les than the cost of importation from Eng
land. Home built machinery of nearly all kinds
is preferred to that from England. as better
adapted to American operatives and management.
There is at present very little demand for new
machinery; the shops are not fully employed;
labor and materials are cheap; hence tue very
low cost at which it can be produced.
d. The cost of labor Of equal skill. intelligence
and efficiency was cheaper to the employer in the
United States North and South) than i'll England
before the reductions OF wages made there dur
ing the present year. In Ignorance OF the wages
now paid in England one cannot state a COMPARE
son. 1t should be remembered, however. that
even when the American cost to the employer
was less the earnings OF the American operatives
were larger. from the larger production to the
hand. U ftIe r.
e. The increasing preference for American cot
ton goods over English goois OF the same appar-
ent grades, wherever the former have been in
troduced and become known to consumers in
foreign markets. bears evidence OF the relative
merit.
three years at average rate of about 60 per
cent yearly in quantity and 81 per cent i'll
value. There is no apparent reason why it
should not further increase, and such increase
may be expected unless home demand shall con-
sumo so nearly the whole production to ad-
vance prices above the exporting points or unless
other countries.
The break in the trade of the United States with
foreign markets caused by the war. the desertion
of the foreign field by American merchants and
American productions which field has been fully
occupied by European merchants, with glut Of
European productions, makes necessary the re-
establishment OF American houses and agencies
to recover the lost ground. However successful
this is to be, the recovery, when others have 50
much the advance. requires time, VOL directed
and vigorous effort. new direction of capital and
al nfps apf.N Ali.hn pr,f
In the meantime it is to be supposed thai cotton
goods will DO produced i'll England OF better
lpurer) quality and at cheaper cost than they
have been and that other countries will share in
the competition to supply the commercial world
with cotton goods. The cheapest goods OF equal
value will ultimately command the markets.
Q. The chief retarding circumstance Is that
mentioned in the last answer-the necessity for
recovering place in markets already occupied by
competitors. and Of Introducing goods where
they have not been know tor many years-of re-
establishing trade.
h. China, British India, South America, Africa
Canada, Australia, Japan and ports OF the Medi-
terranean. With some markets the trade in
American cotton goodsis ut present conducted
chiefly through Manchester (Engand), of course
ut disadvantage compared with direct trade
j. The writer has seen no general statement of
the purport of the consular reports, but expects
onoto be presented 1T the coming session of Con-
gress.
Il. Cotton manufacturers generally, and with
not many exceptions, approve the principle OF y
protective tariff a. favorable to the promotion of
home industries and the national welfare, though
indifferent TO it in respect OF their own business
except sustaining the price of the finer produc-
tons. Among them arc some Of the heartiest
opponents OF protective tariff, and all Of them
soc that high duty on mill supplies and ma
chinery has been burden upon, rather than a
help to- their own enterprises in all lines that
have become independent OF protection.
I. First-The United States are now able to supply
all her requirements of cotton goods that can be
probably made ut home. The value of all cotton
goods imported in the year 1928 was stated to
be S29,752. l16 In the year 1877-S it was
$19.0S0737. OF the latter the statistics show of
yards colored and uncolored"-i e., goods that
paid specific duty per square yard and were
worth 20 cents or less per yard-a value
of $2.2C6 901; of hosiery, drawers, &C., value of
a. esq., 246 and of ''other goods. e.. goods pay
ing ad valorem duty of IS per cent, such as
fine muslins. cambrics and fancy fabrics princi-
pally from France and Switzerland-a value of
ST., l31, $50.
.Second-Such answer can be made will be
found IN the answer to inquiry III. f
BOSTON, Jan. IA, 1879. b. +. MOUSSE.