Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-19


strike at the various portions OF the
coal and iron region is but the beginning
of a war between the mill owners and
trades unions, the end Of which It IS
difficult TO foresee, but which will proba-
blv settle for some time to come whether
the operators OF the unions shall manage
the iron and steel mills of the country.
Last year the unions produced dlsas-
trous strikes at Pittsburg and Cleveland,
which resulted in severe losses to the
manufacturers. Now the tables have
turned. Trade is depressed, prices have
fallen, and manufacturers cannot prohta-
bly pay the wages demanded by
the workmen. Hence the former
had as soon shut down their mills and
cease operations as not, so that the sup
DIV of the manufactured article may be
shortened. and prices be kept up.
Hence also it has been decided that the
demands of the workmen will not be
complied with, and this is regarded as
good time in which to make war upon
the unions, and teach them that they
cannot control the mill owners. Acting
upon these conclusions the manufac-
turers have formed close alliances for
the purpose Of checking the unions and
protecting their business. 1t is believed
that shutting down the mills at the time
when orders are slack and business dull
will not lnjure the manufacturers, while
it will eventually force the strikers and
the unions to agree to whatever terms
the manufacturers may see fit to impose.
This is truly an unfortunate condition
of affairs. That it may result in very
serious trouble there can be no question,
and it certainly furnishes a decidedly
practical and striking illustration OF the
absurdity of the claim that protection is
Of any real benefit to the working men
of this country. Many of the iron manu-
facturers of the country acknowledge
that all the trouble now existing in the
iron regions-and, be it remembered, the
working men are the main sufferers
thereby-is due directly to our protec-
tive system. They admit that under the
stimulating influence of protective duties
there has been an enormous increase in
the production of iron. In 1873 the
total production of pig iron in the
country was 2,577, 361 tons; in 1879 the
total production was g. 070, S75 tons, and
in 1880 the total production rose to 4, 1885,
Ala tons. With the continued tempta
ton of high prices, the supply of
this great and indispensable agent of
civilization has got beyond the demand,
and the consequence is a depression OF
pnces. Many persons have been lured
into the business by the promise OF large
profits upon their investment, and the
result is seen in an over-pfoduction, in
the mischiefs of which the whole iron
trade is more OF less involved. When
prices Of an article in such general use
are forced by artificial stimulus beyond
the purchasing capacity Of large masses
Of people there comes q check in con-
sumption, and as production increases a
glut in the market must ensue.
In view of these plain truths, it is not
to be wondered at that even Pennsyl-
vania papers are acknowledging the fall
lacies Of the arguments Of the protec-
zionist. The Philadelphia Record. for in
instance, says: "Of the vast production of
iron in the country little more than 49,
600 tons were exported last year. This
includes iron and steel in all forms of
their manufacture The tariff perpe-
trates a double mischief in unnaturslly
stimulating production and at the same
limiting consumption to the home mar
ket. But for the excessive bounties,
which do not go into wages OF labor, the
products of American skill in iron manu-
facture would find their way to the mar
kets of the world. The surplus of pro-
duction would thus be carried off and
depression in business would become less
frequent. At the same time, the manufac-
turers who are favorably situated for
producing iron with economy would be
protected from ruinous competition on
the part of those whom the prospect Of
large profits through government bounty
lures into the business. In the healthy
trade that would spring up with the
outer world wages would steadily in
crease, and labor would find constant
employment with the increasing demands
for its products As long as the present
irrational system exists there will be vio-
lent fluctuations in the iron business, as
well as in all other industries directly or
indirectly subjected to its influence"
These are sober truths, and words of
good sound doctrine which it would be
well for the American wOrkingmen to
consider. They have too long listened
quietly and complacently to the doctrine
that protection protects their wages, and
Notwithstanding that they have had
many severe lessons to the contrary, they
seem to forget them, and vote according
to the dictates of the only class of people
in the country who are really benefited
by "a protective tarif-the manufacturers.
II is to be hoped their present troubles
may make a more lasting impression
upon them, and that in future they may
no longer be deceived. AS our Philadel-
phia contemporary again says most truly:
''The theory of the protectionists is
that high duties on imports protect
American manufacturers against the in
vssiOn Of foreign products, and thus Sc
cure TO American working men high
wages. Yet wages of labor in protected
manufactures are lower than the wages
OF mechanics who are not permitted to
share the blessings of the protective sys-
tenn, and who must pay taxes on all they
consume, to the tools Of their trade.
When wages fall, the first to suffer are
the employees in protected manufactures.
The tariff idol whom they have been
taught TO worship can then do nothing
to help them, call they ever so Justify.
The Independents" do not believe In