Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-10-13

frankly that they do make such discrimi-
nations against American purchasers, they
evade the issue by an answer as to tro wells
end cay that the same relative prices at
ZONE and abroad will apply to great
many of our good'."
The following letter, recently write,
to Mr.. Neglsy, q prominent business man
of Hsgerstown, Md by leading mercan'
tile house in Mexico, with branch house
at Ell Paso, Texas, throws some light on
the points which the Me'srs. Di:ston
evaded:
PIEDRAs NEGsAs, MEN, August 9, 1888.
Mr.. WoRer N.Qlsy. HdGsrstotrn, Nd:
DEAR SIR-Yours ofthe 2nd at hand. In reply
take pleasure in giving you the figures asked for
as nearly as possible. First in regard TO shovels
Our shovels, bought for our Esgle Pass store cost
us about IS per dozen, exclusive OF freight. our
shovels of the class and material cost US tlid
dotVn IN PedrG, Neg as, S2.Sl per dozen. Another
item: Agate iron ware cannot be bought for de-
livery an where in the United States at better
than So per cent discount. In Z: N we can Uuy
he SAM articles from the same houses at 60 per
cent discount. The list is the same in both
cases These are not the only articles. DNSton'S
saics can be bought tpith an additional 20 per cent.
discOunt shouting that the manufacturers cGuEd &EI
in hons markets IN comp hEOn trl me 0aslde pro
n
Every article known 10 the hardware trade can
be bought from American manufacturers for ex-
port cheaper than they can for home consump,
lion. Hoping this VIII answer your purpose, we
remain, Very truly yours,
A. J. LADNER & Bro.
The foregoing letter is rot from a poli-
tician who il interested in tbs discussion
of tariff theories, but from firm that has
Amer, can shoyels and this Disston saws
for sale both In this country and Mexico,
and it clearly establishes the fact the
Messrs. Disston evade rather than deny
that important lines of their goods are 81 Id
for foreign markets 90 per cent cheaper
ttau the same alt!cles are s)ld to home
purchasers. In Other words, the Messrs
Disston can profitably manufacture for for
eign MARKERS at prices below EUROPEAN
prices, but as high protection excludes fo!-
eigu tools, etc, from our markets, they
employ the tariff simply to tax American
purchasers vastly more than they charge
foreign purchasers.
The time was when the row large indus
try of the Messers. IiIston required pro-
lection to build it up, but American ener-
gy snd skill tIiumphed over the energy
and skill of Earope and now they sesk
foreign markets in open ccmption with
foreign manufacturers. and they employ
the tariff taxes on tteir products merely
to make doutle the profits from American
purchasers that they make from foreign
customers In this case, as in many other
cases of slleged protection, it il simply
protection to foreign purchasers and an
sxtortiopate tax urou American purchas-
ers. OF course, the Messers. Disstop
simply do what all other business men
Go-that is to get the best prices for their
products that can bs obtained in the mar
kets open TO them; but they should 70!
claim % legitimate prots c.ion to American
industry what is simply protection to
foreign consumers AMI an extra tex upon
home consumes. The plain English Of
the case is that the foreign carpenter or
other mechanic using the Disston save or
tools, pays 90 per cent or so lass FOR them,
even after the cost of shipment, than the
American carpenter or other mschsn'c
using such tools, pays for them in tie city
where the tools are made. Is Till leg ii.
mate profession to American industry?
II it Is, then the guat authors of the pro-
tecive System strange misu aderstc Oh it.