Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-18
How Protection Works In Germany.
| Boston journal

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 strengthen the
| free trade position. Thus In the last volume
of consular reports, Commercial Agent
James Henry Smith, writing from Mayeuce
ON the economic interests of Germany in is-
| 81, says, p 64s;
What effect the protective tariff of the
country inaugurated in recent years has upon
the general business situation cannot under
take to say. Opinions vary in the Empire
with regard TO it and a very plausible argu-
ment can be made on either side of the ques-
ton. The country. however, seems to be in
favor of the experiment
| Again, on page 90, he says;
Germany is apparently profting at present
| from her protective policy, but is very de-
pendent upon foreign markets for the taking
of her surplus productions, and it 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
taxation. by stimulating industries and fos-
tering commercial interests. The Govern
ment must. therefore. be satisfied that the
present tariff is beneficial in its operation
otherwise it would not persist in maintaining
IL.
"Germany's export exhibit certainly show
constantly an improving traffic"
Here we have admissions, obviously reluc-
family made, that the country favors protec-
ton. that the Government is satisfied that the
policy is benefited, and that exports are in
creasing under it. Upon the latter point Mr..
Smith, on page $50, quotes statistics of i'm
ports and exports from 1872 to 1856, and
says of them;
This exhibit shows that Germany has
been increasing her exports and decreasing
her imports since she entered spon her pro-
tective ways. but whether this change is due
to her protective policy or has come in spite
of it and is due to the national union formed
in ISL, must leave to the political econo-
mist to puzzle out"
So much for the consular reporter. and the
admission 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 protection
does not help the workingman, but has re-
fused to print the statistics with which We
have furnished il, showing that wages have
risen steadily in Germany since the protect
i've policy was adopted. The yerein Deu-
fischer Elsen and Ssahl Observation-Disclosures
has collected and printed reports showing the
financial position of German companies own
ing iron and steel works. and the wages paid.
Up to the middle of April il had replies from
sas, chiefly large iron works in all part. of
the German empire. In January. 1887. these
2os worke were Employing lss. ss5 working
men, and paying them monthly wages
amounting to e,lsl,s10 marks. In January,
ISIS, the number of men employed had risen
to i4s.osi. and the aggregate monthly wages
to io-sse.sls marks. The increase in the
number of workmen employed vas SO per
cent, and in the wages paid H. per cent
In January, 1857. each workman earned on
the average 30 marks per month; i'm jan
usry ISss. each workman earned So 81
marks per moath. In other words, under
protection, more workmea are emplsved
each year and better wages are paid.