Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-05-14
The Decline in Iron.

The Decline in Iron.
The Cincinnati Gosdts. in discussing
the strike" Of the iron makers OF all
kinds against the American consumers,
and the effect of thrusting no their
prices 100 per cent, says;
This stimulated manufacturers until
the supply was III excess VI the de.
mand, In order to keep prices up by
force the manufacturers concluded to
suspend operations rather than reduce
prices, This we pointed out as y bad
example IN the way of strikes. IL was
strike Of the manufactures againgt
consumers, aud is worse thSn strike Of
employees for higher wages. II virtually
invites the latter TO follow the example
Of their employers, Il It is right for
the latter 10 throw their mon out OF
employment in order to force CONSUME
ers TO pay n high combination price for
products, it cannot he wrong for EN-.
ployes TO combine and stop work in
order 10 secure higher prices for labor.
We do not believe strikes are remedy
for any evil supposed or zeal, aud man.
ufacturers viii find that their course
will not help but that it will mjure
their business.
The iron manufacturers have found
that the speculative movement that
carried prices up over one hundred per
cent injured their business 1t caused
large importation OF foreign iron, and
At the saIne time checked consumption
while il stimulated production. The re.
suit is stagnation, The movement that
forces the price of iron that can be made
for SIS per ton up 10 $40 or $45 is not u
healthy one, and the reaction that fol-
lowed might nave been iorseen.
"ln like manner the nail boom was
unreasonable, and therefore unhealthy.
II stimulated production and checked
consumption, ami 1t would have flooded
the country with foreign nails if that
had been possible. We are informed
that building in this city, owing 10 the
unreasonable advance i'll COST, will not
I've over half what was intended. This
causes falling of in tho demand for
skilled labor, and also for material, in,
cludug nails. There will not bo one
nail used where two would have been
driven NJ reasonable prices. The true
policy of the nailmills, therefore, would
he to meet the market rather than at.
tempt to force consumers to pay I'M.
reasonable prices. II ia true tho nall
men had hard times from 1878 10 1879
but is it wise to attempt TO make up tn,
LOSSES of six years IN oneY
"Of course consumers understand tn,
condition of the market. They know
that prices are sustained not Ivy the de
maud. but by unhealthy combinations.
They buy from hand to mouth, 80 Il
speak, as do johbers. and manuiactlr
ers will find the way which now seem,
end. There il no confidence III IN,
market, and without confidence tn,
market cannot he sustained, Present.,
rates will be cut; capitalists will no
loan money on nails except upon larg,
margin, and III the end, and that end Il
not far of, the whole combination will
tumble 10 pieces, and instead of reason
able profits, which sensible oours,
would hive secured, there will b,
heavy losses, Manufacturers, mean
time, will have set the example to thoi
employees of forming combinations an,
strikes for higher wages.
"This il the Gdsdit's opinion OF tn
situation, and it applies not only /
nails, but 10 all other industries. Tn
papermakers have found this out al
ready. Iney net out 90 p"t p-isss "a,
on news print 70 to 100 Yer cent. The.
doomed for II while, and succeeded Ii
advancing the cost of all materials tina
entered into the manufacture Of paper
What's the result The production o
paper is ON the increase; consump
ton il diminishing; consumers ar
knocking ut the doors of congress TO
relief; tariff advocates have the groun,
knocked from under them, and u bi
break in the paper market is newt
able
"Ths too big country in which Il
carry out to success the game whicl
combinations OF manufacturers under
take to play