The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-08-10
How Protection Works in Germany.

boston Journal
The Consuls and other agents Of the Gov
eminent under the present Administration
are naturally very careful about making
statements which might seem to conflict
with the Presidents theories; but, guarded
as they are, they are obliged sometimes to
send reports whose tenor does not strength
en- the free trade position. Thus, in the last
volume of consular reports, Commercial
Agent James Henry Smith, writing from
Mayence ON the economic interests of Ger
many in 1887, says. p. GAS:
what effect the protective tariff of the country
inaugurated In recent years has upon the general
business situation cannot undertake TO say.
Opinions vary in the Empire with regard to it and
avery plausible argument can be made on either
side Of the question, The country, hoicecer seems
TO DC dnJdror of the experiment"
Again, on page $40, he says:
Germany is apparently profting at present
from her protective policy. but is very dependent
upon foreign markets for the taking OF her surplus
productions, and 1t is Of vital interest to the
Government In view OF the great demands made
by the army upon the resources of the country,
TO keep up the ability of the people to meet the
consequent taxaton by stimulating industry and
mast, therefore, be satisfied that the present tdriD
Is beneficial i'l Its operation, otherwise it would
not persist in maintaining it.
"Germany's export exhibit certainly shows con
stantly an improving traffic."
Here we have admissions, obviously reluc-
family made, that the country favors protec-
ton, that the Government is satisfied that
increasing under it. Upon the latter point
Mr.. Smith. on page $50, quotes statistics of
imports and exports from 1872 to 1856, and
says of them:
This exhibit shows that Germany has been In
creasng her exports and decreasing her imports
eha nj ODD har affua 1,,,f
whether this change is due to her protective policy
or has come IN spite OF l. and is due to the national
union formed In 1871, i must leave to the politi-
cal economist to puzzle out"
So much for the consular reports, and the
admissions of Mr.. James Henry Smith. AS
to the effect of protection upon wages in the
great iron industry of Germany, we have
some fresh and interesting statistics. The
Herald has frequently alluded to the rates OF
wages In Germany as evidence that pr0tec-
ton does not help the workingman. but has
refused to print the statistics with which we
have furnished it, showing that wages have
risen steadily in Germany since the protect
i've policy was adopted: The Vereir
has collected and printed reports showing
the financial position Of German companies
owning iron and steel works, and the wages
paid. Up to the middle of April it had re-
plies from 205, chiefly large iron works in all
parts of the German empire. In January
1887, these 2O5 works were employing 13S ,69S
workmen, and paying them monthly wages
amounting to 9,181 $40 marks. In January
1888, the number Of men employed had riser
to 147, 051, and the aggregate monthly wages
to 10,259.518 marks. The increase in the
number of workmen employed was GO pei
cent, and in the wages paid LII per cent. In
January, 1887, each workman earned on the
average 1920 marks per month in January
1888, each workman earned 69.67 marks pei
month In other words, under protection
more workmen are employed each year ant
better wages are maid