The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-09-08
The Mills Bill and Tin.
From the N. 7. Times.

From the N. ]. Times.
: Still another American manufacturer renounces
his allegiances to the Republican party and comes
out for Cleveland and the reform of the tariff on
imnorts Mr. Leo Schlessinger one of the largest
manufacturers of tin toys in the United States,
whose factory is at 100 and ISL Crosby street. where
he employs an average of 100 hands, and at wages
from three times as great those paid to the
same class Of operatives in England, Germany and
France is among converts to be recorded. He said
THE American manufacturers of tin toys are mas
tiers in the American market In former years there
used to be large 1mPortatons OF toys from Germany
and France, but we have driven the foreign manu-
acturer almost entirely out of the American market
and have reached the limit of possible sales for
goods under existing conditions. We could make
much larger quantity of goods, but there would be
no market for them at the prices we are compelled
to demand Against German French and English
eomnetition we cannot sell in the free markets of
South and Central America and Mexico and the
West Indies, that would seem to naturally belong
to America because of the tariff barrier which pre-
vents us in several ways from doing business in
those countries.
which comes 10 us by way of England. There is no
tin plate made in this country at all, and could
not get what material we require otherwise
than as we do. 1t costs us here about four cents
pound, including a tariff of IL cents pound. The
foreign manufacturers get their tin plate entirely
free of duty at price fully D per cent less than
the price we are compelled to pay. This tariff of IL
cents is not protective tariff ut all that can see,
for there is no tin plate manufacture in this country
nor is there any substitute for it that would be at
fected by the removal of this duty 1t only initiates
against The manufacturer of tin goods in this coun-
turer The duty of IS per cent. on manufactured tin
goods protects us effectually against foreign compe
tition in the American market, but even with a
much less duty we would be in no danger from for
eign competition, because our goods are much better
and more Hastily made and better suited to the
demands of the American market. Itpays US TO pay
the higher wages for we get more and better work
OUT of our employees than the foreigners do. There
is no desire or disposition on our part to reduce
wages at all.
THE Mills bill proposes to do away with the duty
on tin plates entirely and 10 reduce the duty on
manufactured goods from 80 TO 80 per cent The
enactment of this bill into law would in my judg-
ment be of great benefit to our trade 1t would en-
that would create larger domestic demand for
them We would be able to compete successfully
with foreign manufacturers in the free markets of
the world, and thus have an outlet for more goods
which would enable us TO keep our hands and ma
chinery constantly employed, thus employing forces
that re often idle but that have to be maintained
at large expense. There would be an increased de-
mand for labor, and in general the whole trade
would be improved. The only loser would be the
United States government, and that rather opulent
institution would be deprived of an annual income
of about 81 600 600, which 1t is emfnently desirable
should go into general circulation rather than help
10 sweth hoard of treasure In the already bullying
pockets of the Government. Business would be
established on natural basis and calculations could
be made for the future which are impossible under
existing circumstances. | have yet TO hear of an
industry that would be injuriously affected by the
enactment of the Mills billint law. And as be-
lieye in the tariff reform idea embraced in that BILL
and in the principles of the party of which President
Cleveland is the representative, am for the idea
and tho man,