River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1888-08-02


against any reduction of the tariff on
pig iron. The arguments used were
similar and even stronger than those
advanced by Messrs. Kelley, Mckinley,
Reed and other protectionists in the
House of Representatives during the
present session. II viii be interesting
to read Mr.. SCOTS remarks on the
'Braddock Farmer" and compare the
tone of the address with the letter,
which he signed as Protectionist
Democrat. The outcry against the re-
duction was taken up by manufact-
urers all over the State and in the
Shenango valley. A second letter,
signed by twelve iron men of Sharon.
Erie and Sharpsville, was forwarded
to Washington. w. l.. Scott and Nor
man Hall both signed the circular,
which was as follows:
sHARPsvnLE, MERCER COUNTY, PA,
January, 1879 I
AS Democrats. and as manufacturers OF pig
iron in the Shenango valley, Mercer County,
Pa, we cordially adopt the sentiments EN-
braced in the foregoing (the Lancaster) circu-
lar, and add, as applicable to our own particu-
lar section, that the retention OF the present
duty Ola pc iron is essential 10 the success OF
our business. In the valley there are in opera
ton twenty-four blast furnaces, producing $780,
600 tons Of metal Coal Is produced Ia the vi
cinlty OF the furnaces, and the ore Is brought
from the mines of Lake Superior. In the
whole business an immense number IL persons
are directly or indirectly employed every
one at all cOnversant with the business knows
These are all dependent on the success OF the
furnaces for themselves and families. ANY
measure, therefore, which will have the effect
TO depress or entirely suspend the iron bust
ness-as the proposed reduction of the tariff on
pig iron will dds greatly TO be deprecated
We should also state that in addition to the
furnaces, there are in this valley four rolling
mills Of large capacity. This large iron bust
ness has grown up under the protection af-
forded by our tariff laws, giving employment
TO thousands OF employees and a home market
for the products OF our farms, stimulating in
dustry in every department. adding to the com
fort and wealth. and binding in harmonious in
terest our entire community. Why should this
prosperous state OF affairs be disturbedi The
statistics OF the iron trade will show that do
nestle competition IS rapidly reducing prices
TO the consumer. Four years ago pig iron sold
steadily in the Pittsbug IN market for s47 ton;
now IL is worth only Sc, while the cost OF pro
duction remains substantially the same lex
cept by improved facilities and cheaper trans
portation), and can not be materially reduced
unless by a reduction of wages which, as
Should the alternate be presented to the
manufacturer TO either suspend operations or
reduce the cost of manufacture by reducing
wages TO the European standard, such must
be the effect of Withdrawing protection. Is IL
not better that our own resources be devel
oped, and our own people employed, than that
we should be dependent on foreign capital and
labor for the supply OF our wants, while our
own remains usdeveloped and unprecedented
Experience teaches that the interests OF con
sumers is best promoted by encouraging do
nestle production, for whenever the manufact-
uring business of this country has been pros
trated, as IL has seveEn times been, by I'M
friendly legislation from other adverse
causes, the foreign manufacturer invariably
takes advantage of the situation TO inspire
higher prices, and reap a rich harvest at the
expense of our country, until the manufactur-
ers are again encouraged 10 resume operations
We should regret to see the Democratic party
take false position on this great American
quest on by advocating a policy hostile %
American industry. You are respectfully re
ferred TO the proceedings Of a meeting OF the
iron manufacturers at Sharon, Mercer County
Pa, published In the Bulletin OF the Ameri-
can Iron and Steel Association" Philadelphia
January u, IN which the cost of manufacturer
pig iron, freight 10 and expenses at Pittsburgh
exclusive of interest on capital, is stated at
1897 per ton, market price, 1884, leaving
s2.67 per ton profit which will surely not be
garded as extravaganza Trusting that we shall
not have cause TO complain Of the action OF
Congress in this behalf, We remain, your ODE
dent servants,
JAMES PIERCE, JONAS PIERCE, Sharpsvllle
Furnace.
JAMES PIERCE, W. L. SCOTT, Mt. Hickory Iron
Works.
F. ALLEN, b. H. ALLEN, Allen Furnace
NORMAN HALL. Erie Furnace.
GEORGE BoYCE, NORMAN HALL Sharon Fur
nace.
cpopo. uoxcv AZ TRvY1p N crrpr,c
Shenango Furnace.
OF the above signers, w. l.. Scott
and Norman Hall are in Congress, the
former advocating free trade and the
latter not saying any thing on the
question. j. NJ. Irvine, A. n. Curtis
and George Boyce died at their homes
in Sharon. General James Pierce died
at Sharpsville some years ago, and his
son, Jonas Pierce, formerly a Demo
crat, was consistent enough to get out
of that party four years ago, and is
now a Republican, at present being
member of the Executive Committee OF
the Republican State League. Mr.. b.
ii. Henderson is living at his home in
this city. Mr.. +. Allen resides at Her
The writer, who evidently under
stands the tariff question, goes on &c
demonstrate that the prediction made
by the iron men proved true in every
particular. The rate was reduced from
about so or $12 to 81, serious embar.
rassment followed, and many of the
plants suspended operations. The En-
glish manufacturers took advantage of
the situation and imports were largely
increased 1928, and prices were adj
vanced to $50 ton until the American
furnaces again started. 1t took five
years to overcome this adverse piece OF
legislation. He further proves that
while the production of pig iron has
increased over 100 per cent. (from 150,-
600 in 1871 to 400, 102 tons in 1880, and
that while the price of the product has
decreased 100 per cent, wages have
gone down but % per cent, or just
about the premium on gold in 1871.
Intimately knowing Mr.. Scott from
long business association, many She
mango Valley iron manufacturers have
been at a loss to understand his change
of heart since entering Congress, and
can not account for it unless it is be-
cause he has gotten out of the iron
business altogether and is just now
working for political prominence and
glory in the Democratic party. -Shdr-
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