Evening journal., 1888-05-23
raiks with Wen VINO roil.
arm Lelgiie Bulletin.


Mr.. Hugh Greenau, who has been a
member of In coopers' organizations
in New York for the past % years, and
who has been closely identified with
every effort in behalf Of labor that has
been undertaken by tho working-peo
Pile in that time, eaid to a Leauge
epresentative--I am "A protectionlst
not alone bscause of the injury free
trade might do my particular trade
Ccoopering), but because of the terrible
consequences which bsliave would
result from a general reduction Of the
tariff. 1t is not a question that affect
one or two industries; it is rather a
question that interests. or should in
terest, every American citiz n who
favors the growth and prosperity of
this country. am protectionist for
the sake of protecting American indus
tries in general, not from iha narrow
stand point Of single trade or indus
try, as its effects win bear equally
upon all class4a Of labor-not perhaps
Immediately, but certainly in time.
Mr. Edward Bush, manager of the
K. OF L. Cooperative Hat Factory at
South Norwalk. Conn. n.-Free trade
would do considerable injury to the hat
trade. and have no doubs the effects
Of reduction would be felt most keenly
by the people who thus earn their
living. We all know that the AIneri-
can halter is paid more than double
the wages of European halter. In
England, for instance. if a journeyman
halter earns 10 to "a shillings (S4 to So,
per week he considers himself doing
remarkably we'll, How many Ameri-
can Journeyman hatters would be sat
isfied with such wages? How
many OF them could live and support
their families respectfully on ever
double the highest price paid in Eng
land. The question of competing sue
cessfully with foreign manufactured
hats is simply absurd while such IN
equality in labor exists. Then th'
question presents itself to us in thi
way, and we had better ask ourselve
the plain, honest question ps.working
men: Is it our duty to elevat
the condition of our fellow
workers in Europe to the position o
the American workman, or to reduc
the condition Of the American me
chanic, artisan and laborer to th
pauper state aud conditions of tn
European wage-earner I am, an
always have been. in favor OF til
former. and as knight Of Labor
consider ! would not be fulhllin
my obligation, and discherging m
duty to my fellow man, either 8
home or abroad, il were to in an
way aid. OF abet, the degradation {
American labor and the obstruction (
American industries. To my min
! that ie what free trade, or the sweeE
} ing reduction OF the tariff containe
in the "Mills" bill, means. / consids
it nothing less than national industri
suicide to attempt to establish a frs
/ trade system with such desperate ODD
, against us. / am a protectionist I,
! protection alone, regardless OF all 9TH
! considerations.
' Charles l.. Miller, ex-secretary
! the New York Central Labor Unio
!. and ex-secretary of the United Ciotl
Z ing Cutters Union-I have long sinS
been convinced that protection
American industry is absolutely esse
: tial 20 the we'll being Of the working
|. people of this county. fail to 8
|, how honest competition betwe'
! American manufacturers and G
e manufacturers of foreign countries
n possible when the great difference
a the price paid for labor and the ge
10 eral cost OF production 10 this count
= is taken into account. I know t
Il difference between the price paid
!, clothing cutters inEurope and the pr
"A paid in this country, and will say
as one engaged in that industry Ihave
er desire to be placed on a level with I
sy clothing cutter of Europe. / can /
on only one solution to this question,
10 protection of American industries.
~ the reduction OF the wages of Anne
can workmen to the standard OF
lowest wages now paid in Europe,
4 cause I can readily perceive thai
bo free trade Is once established. we v
TO- be compelled to compete not ale