The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-10-13
A Tariff Lesson with an Every Day
Illustration.

1.-The tariff affords protection to the artisan,
at least beyond all question"
This was the confident remark of a well,
meaning skilled laborer of the Pennsylvania
district.
His remark is entitled to some analytical
inquiry. Suppose we inquire of him as to
the faith that is in him-how much the war
tariff has profited him in the past score of
years?
1t has secured me good remuneration for
my labor. Such is his prompt reply.
Actual or comparative?
do not fully understand your question.
Then let.me put it in another form. You
are in the employ of Grab, Get, Hold Co.?
Yes.
How long have you been employed by them?
began in 1S70-that is eighteen years ago.
And you have received good wages ever
since?
Yes, as rule, when was employed.
Then your employment has not been con-
tinuous?
Oh, no; you see we were out on III strikes
during the eighteen years.
Out on strikes under protective tariff? Is
that possible?
Yes, sir.
How much time did you lose by these II
strikes?
That is hard to tell exactly; but the shortest
strike was for two months, and one lasted for
eight and it was really year before some of
the men got back; for that time, you see, the
firm imported large number of laborers from
Europe, and it took some time to work them
out. | should say that during the eighteen
years we have been idle on account of strikes
and lock outs almost five years.
What made Grab, Get, Hold & Co. strike?
They didn't. 1t was their employees.
Why did you strike against good wages?
We didn't; we struck against reductions,
and often outrageous reductions.
There is some mistake about that, isn't
there?
No, indeed; what makes you think so.
Because there has been no bad wages paid
in the protected industries for twenty years at
least. 1t has been period of high protection
and there could be no such thing as low wages.
That is simply nonsense. 1t has been a
struggle, and hard struggle, right along.
Employers have seized upon every opportunity
to reduce employees to the lowest possible
point. Why, they imported shiploads of for
eign pauper labor to help do it.
That certainly can't be true, good artisan.
You must be mistaken.
How mistaken? Why do you say that am
mistaken?
Principally because of your own statement.
You started out by saying that the tariff pro-
tected labor and secured it the highest posi-
bic remuneration. Now you say that about
one-fifth of your time was spent in idleness
fighting against starvation wages. And yet
during these eighteen years the highest tariff
of modern times has prevailed in this country.
If the tariff bettered your wages, why did you
strike at all? What necessity was there for it?
Well, can tell you. We either had to
strike or work for next to nothing.
Is that true?
1t is.
And this in the face of the tariff tax for the
benefit of the manufacturer nearly double the
commonest necessities of life? Comparative
ly, then, what did you make by means of the
tariff?
What would we have done had there been
no tariff?
You couldn't have done much more than
strike against starvation, could you? Suppose
we pursue this matter of comparison further.
When did Grab, Get, Hold Il Co. go into bus
mess?
In 1870.
You were employed by them in the beginn-
ing, then?
| was.
In what capacity.
As principal foreman.
Do you know how much the firm put into
the business in the beginning?
Each member advanced $50, 900 in cash and
$50, 900 in notes-Ss0, 600 cash and the same
in notes, secured by their friends.
Then there was actually $50, 900 in cash put
in at the beginning?
Yes.
But the plant has been greatly enlarged
since then?
l should say so. The firm has five immense
mills, representing million investment, each,
beside the private fortunes they have accumu-
lated. When the firm started it had only five
hundred employes-now it has twenty thou
sand.
Did they borrow money to invest in additi-
Oh, no; they put in their profits and, maybe,
little nerve.
And all this grew up from $l60, 900, half
cash, in matter of less than twenty years?
Yes.
And you were foreman?
Certainly.
take it that your services were worth six
per cent on $1,000, or 81 200 year?
A little more than that sometimes. At 9th
er times didn't average quite so much.
Then your skill and labor were really as
valuable as the $50, 900 cash put in by either
of partners?
| think so, of course A mans wages
should be fair interest on the real value of
his services-his services should stand for his
capital.
What is Mr.. Grabs private fortune esti-
mated at to-day?
That is hard to tell. He is great genius,
you know, and it is put at from $40, 600, 900 |
to $50, O00, 900.
He owns villa at Naples, does he not2
So understand,
And has a splendid private yacht2
Yes.
And castle in Scotland and another in
Wales
Yes.
And is building another castle on the crest
of the Alleghenies, which VIII rival any Royal
palace in the world?
He is, Quite a number of US went up one
day lately to look at the foundations.
What is the extent of Mr.. Gets private
fortune?
He doesn't amount to much. He isn't
worth over $5,0OO,O00,
And Mr.. Hold-whats he worth?
Well. l should say about $40, 0G0, 900.
Mr.. Snatch, l believe, is the Co. of the
firm. What may he be worth?
should say from 81, 900, 900 to So, 900, 000
And they all made their fortunes out Of
their business inside of twenty years?
Of course, for they doubled their plant
right along for years, and are the greatest
firm of the kind in this or any other country.
What did you have eighteen years ago?
/ had a wife and baby and house and lot
on Southside worth couple of thousand
dollars, and hundred or two in the Dime
Savings Bank.
And then you had your skill and your
muscle besides?
Certainly.
And these you regarded as $50, 200 capital
on which you were entitled to a per cent. per
annum in the shape of wages2
Yes.
You have not been aspendthrit, have you2
have not,
Excuse the question, but will you tell me
how much you are possessed of now
/ have my wife, of course, and FIVE child
rem, and the house and lot, but there is
mortgage on the latter for nearly $500.
Is that ALI How does that come about? |
Well, the firm cut our wages 10 per cent. |
last winter, and we went on a strike, but there |
were so many of us that it was hopeless.
Some Of US tried to hold ont, and that is the |
way / came to mortgage the house for a lit
tie ready money.
But you gave up the fight at last and &C.
cepted the reduction2