The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-03-28
Friday Morning, March 20, 1890.
Gamers Protest Against the Proposed
Tin.Plate Increase.

Last Saturday Messrs. ]. W. Numsen, A.
Z. Shriver and R. t. Smith, representing the
Gamers of Maryland, appeared before the
ways and means committee of Congress and
protested against the proposed increase of
duty on tin-plate. They were informed that
there was but slight prospect of the bill
being changed in that respect.
Mr.. Shriver said he represented the Can
ned Goods Exchange of Baltimore and about
400 canning establishments in Maryland. He
proceeded to show that several Thousand
persons are employed in that industry, and
that 100, 100000 cans of fruit, vegetables and
oysters are put up annually in various parts
of the State. He produced figures to show
that the canning industry amounts to about
$20O00,O00 per annum, in which 81, 900, 900
worth of tin is used. Under the present rate
of duty Maryland canning establishments pay
about 100000 yearly into the treasury of
the United States in taxes on tin. If the pro-
posed increase is sustained that amount will
be swelled to about $1,500,0OO.
Mr.. Bayne, of the committee, said that in
the course ola year or two tin-plate would be
manufactured in this country in a great
abundance for domestic consumption and at
price that would compare favorably with the
present price paid for imported tin-plate. He
added that thirty thousand men would be
given employment and the country would
save the $20,0OO,0OO now sent out of the
country to pay for English tin.
If Mr.. BaYne's prediction should come
true, of which there are serious doubts, who
would profit by the amount saved? Not the
Gamers nor the consumers of canned goods.
The entire sum would 60 into the hands of
the gentlemen who propose to experiment in
the manufacture of tin-plate at the ex-
pense of other people. Let them first estab-
lish their works and demonstrate that tim
plate can be produced as cheaply here as
abroad. Then they will have some grounds
upon which to ask for protection. They do
not promise to give Gamers cheaper tin, but
only say that their prices will compare ia
vorably" with the present prices. The
proposed increase is nothing more
or less than an. extortion imposed upon
one of the most important industries of Mary
land, tending still further to depress it and
lessen Its profits. 1t affects, also, millions of
consumers, who would be required TO pay
more for their canned goods in order that one
or two firms may be able to carry on their
business at profit. This is but sample of
the workings of the Republican tariff bill
now before Congress.
The Philadelphia Times says:
If tin-plate cannot be manufactured in this
country with tax of 343 per cent. on con-
sumers, it should not be manufactured at ALL In
point of fact it could be made here now at q fair
profit, but that industry has been delayed sole
ly to compel such increased taxes upon the peo-
pie as would establish complete tin-plate mo.
nopoly and the whole battle now is for mono
poly and greed against the hundreds of thou
sands of farmers who grow vegetables and
fruits for canning and are general consumers of
tin and the nearly 500, 900 of American working
men now employed in the tin industries.