The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-05-21
WHAT the MANUFACTURERS SAY.

rett were obtained. On the attitude Of the
non-union workmen they declare that i
Mr.. Jarrett thinks the scale will be signed
in those mills he is very much mistaken
It Is not regarded as improbable, however
that work will be continued in the nom
union mills at present wages with the ur-
derstanding that the rule OF wages ulti-
mately decided upon shall rule. II this
course is pursued, it is claimed, it will
only be in accord with the spirit
manifested last year, and will be q
powerful factor Of strength for the
manufacturers. That tthey are united, the
manufacturers claim will very soon become
apparent after the first of June. Work
will likely be continued in the steel mills
and II the strike promises to be OF long
duration the scale may be signed in one or
two lion mills, but the balance will be
idle, IL is claimed, until the workmep &C.
cept the reduction. It Is conceded that
the workmen are united, but it ls openly
asserted that they have no strength finan-
cially-that their treasury is practically
empty-and that each man will have to
rely on his own resources.
OPINIONS OF SOME coSGRRsshES.
Some time since the Labor Tribune stated
that number Of letters from congressman
had been received, in which the writer
took grounds against the proposed reduc
ton OF wages. At that time the writers
names were not given, but they were made
public to-day. Hon. w. D. Kelly writes
thatif wsges are reduced ten per cent, in
consequence OF the low tariff the workmen
would be compelled to stand the whole
brunt OF the lower rates Of duty instead o.
1t being apportioned between labor mater
ials and capital. Continuing he said: "The
chief obstacle waged against protecting oul
iron and steel industries by the free trade
members Of the last Congress was thai
labor did, not receive the benefit ot more
than one:half the protection at
forded by the proposed law. The olo
law gave an average Of nearly 40 per cent
protection. The new law gives over 80 per
cent protection. The proposition TO i'm
pose all this reduction on labor Is unjust,
unless some other reason than tariff reduc-
ton can be assigned thereto" Colonel
iBayne agrees with Mr.. Kelly in saying that
the attempt OF the manufacturers to make
the workmen shoulder the whole loss occa-
stoned by theitariff reduction is shameful,
and says: "This movement will, II persist
ed in 10 the bitter end, in all probability
produce disastrous results 10 the Republi-
can party, and ultimately TO the protective
system" Hon. VIM. Mckinley, Of the
Eighteenth Ohio district, writes that he does
not believe a reduction of wages to be
necessary and says: ~ hope the manu-
iacturers will not insist on any such
thing. They are doing well; the future is
full Of promise, the demand is likely to be
great; there has interyened no cause for a
reduction Of wages, unless the new tariff
law be such a cause. Excepting as to steel
rails, there has been but small reduc.
ton OF duties in; the metal schedule. !
was opposed to even that reduction, but
cannot figure out how 1t can be converted
into cause for material reduction ol
wages"
These letters, as was to have been ex.
pected, have greatly aroused the ire Of the
manufacturers. ......