The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-11-28
New York World, Nov. 1871 +.
Tax.Faftened DfvHdenas and Star.
walton Wages.

Eax.Fattene0 Dividends and Star.
walton Wages.
And now comes the Iron and Steel Bulletin and
benignantly observes
To-day the condition of our iron and steel in.
dustries is one of marked and increasing depres.
sion, anu it indicates that in the near future 9th
er industries must be injuriously affected, and
that lower wages will be paid for labor We
have said, and with great regret, that wages must
be reduced. The reduction has already com.
menced. The workmen connected with the Bes-
semer Steel Works of Chicago, Joliet and st.
Louis have consented 10 q reduction of 20 Der
cent. Reduction at other Bessemer works must
soon follow, if indeed they have not already been
made. We trust that the reduction in wages
which has been rendered necessary in our Besse-
mer steel works, and may be rendered necessary
in other branches of iron and steel industries
will be patiently accepted. While we say this
we add, however, the additional hope that our
iron and steel manufacturers will thoughtfully
consider the wants at the beginning Of winter OF
poor men with families to support Unskilled Ia
borers, who always have hard work to make both
ends meet, are especially deserving of considera-
ton in any readjustment of wages that may be
made"
What? Has American labor, then become pau
perzed by the great system of protection to Amer
lean labor? Is this the outcome of tariff of war
taxes on commerce maintained in time Of peace
to encourage American Industry" For years
the following duties have been levied on steel and
iron: Pig-iron, ~ per ton wrought scrap iron,
% per ton steel rails, $28 per ton. All other
iron and steel manufacturers 40 per cent
What the equivalent nd valorem rates of these
specific duties would be only importers, dealers
and manufacturers can exactly say There are
people who insist that the equivalent ad valorem
rate, If levied on the foreign value of steel rails,
during certain seasons in the past, would have
reached 112 per cent. and more. Here is the rev.
enue collected on the following articles in 1881 !:
Wsc. s1s.P aOn !0S ~
q, ~ if0zs 140VV
oseos fA%sHs 4oo&x
The price Of steel rails in England has recently
fuctuased between GO los, or $3.50, and "a
10s., or $s2. so, a ton. The price in the United
States is now about as ton. While the Bes-
semer patent was In force the price OF all-steel
rails in England WAS about 500 ton. When
that patent lapsed in 1870, the price of all-steel
rails fell 10 nbout 800 Ton, from which point it
has dropped TO the present average price Of
about $3.50
Anybody can see that the prosperity OF the
steel rail industry must depend the activity OF
railway construction or repair. When the Amer
lean demand was ut It's maximum the American
manufacturers could NOT meet II. and rails were
imported despite duty which in normal times
would HAYS been prohibitory The essential ele-
ments and conditions Of the industry show that
its development may be hindered bnt cannot be
helped by the artificial stimulus OF high tariff.
The critical question raised by the extract we
have made, however, is the question of wages in
their relation TO strikes and labor disturbances.
A rate Of duty which Is almost prohibitory 10
nominal times has not led to such development
of the steel industry as enables the employers 10
satisfy the workmrn. During large part of
last year the business was vexed by successive
strikes Of these protected" workmen. WhyY
The steel rail industry is really In the hands Of
an executive committee representing nearly all
the producers. At least eleven of the largest
works arein that way associated and represented.
The amount TO be produced Is determined, and
theretore the number Of workmen to be en-
ployed. Lobbyists are employed, Congressmen
are subsidized and newspapers are protec.ei''
to uphold protection. Az much may be said Of
most Of the industries best protected by the
war tariff They more and Gel Ia elections 40
one man. One, two or ave millions Of dollars
can easily b put up by these monopolies to
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