The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-11
work l0E PvRE F!GI!0N.
That Alleged Tin Plate Plant Which
Would Employ Two Thou
sand Workmen.
No One at Baltimore Knows Any
thing About the Big
Project.
The Scheme Born Of Political Necessity
e Increased Cost Of Canned Goods
Wages Cut.


Increased Cost Of Canned Goods
Wages Cut.
BALr1MoRE. Oct. 10.-The story tele
graphed from PittsburR that q giant til
plate mill is to be established in Baltimore
with 600 capital and employment TO
1900 men, finds no confirmation here. AL
the tin men and packers have been inter
viewed, and they do not believe the story
The original source, however, has becom
known to some of the interested dealers i,
this city. who claim that the story has beer
traced to the Lewis Brothers, contractin,
engineers in Pittsburg-a firm which ha
had the handling of many big contracts.
The News says: "The inspiration Of th,
rumor Is easily enough coniectured. AL
over the land the voice of protest has been
raised against the increased tariff tn,
which the Mckinley bill has placed upon
tin plate. In Maryland the cry Of dis1nay
has been particularly lcad, because here 3
great established industry is threatened
with ruin by the heavy burden put upon its
shoulders. The republican party has yerv
little to hope for from the state, but it has
already learned to recognize the fact that
all sections of the country are 40 inter-
dependent that what harms one hurts all
the others.
1.-The plausibility of the claim that this
tax has been put on II, OOO, 600 consumers Of
canned goods merely to compel the people
to use sheet iron instead of tin to roof their
homes. and thus benefit half dozen mill
lonalre republicans is 30 great that all these
Things combined threaten to prove STUN
bling block to republican orators in the
coming campaign. Hence It ls necessary to
paint IN glowing colors a picture of new
and vast industry growing upon the found
atlon OF this ruinous and oppressive tax.
hence the story now being sent out con-
corning the great mills to be erected, As
Baltimore is naturally the city of d1scon-
tent, and as republicans and democrats
alike are joining in the cry of protest, it is
necessary to give particular comfort to her
tion.'
Charles s. French, of c. 8. French l. Co..
one of the largest importing tin-plate
houses in the city, said to-day: "The story
!s, think, without any foundation regard
ing the tin-plate mill. The very stories
themselves contain assertions which tend
to stamp them as fiction. For Instance. II
is said that the company will MANUFACTURES
sln-plate not only for the home market but
Tor expectation to European markets. IF
such were the case. why did the concern
wait Tor the increased tariff? It could
surely have competed abroad as easily with
the one,cent duty as it can under the new
tariff. In time there will undoubtedly be
several tin-plate factories in this country.
and az Baltimore is the best distributinn
centre IN the country, plant will then be
settled here.
but better tin ore than has yet been
found in our mines will have to be dis
covered before tin plate equal to what va
import ana what We need can be produced.
Several efforts have been made to mann
facture the best grades of tin plate, but
S only an inferior quality Of tin roofing
mas mas ever been turned out. The business
1nnferlority, and it has never been pushed.
me mines in Dakota. the largest and best
IN tn1s country, are very small, and the ore
10 poor in quality. It is 90 mixed with
other Ingredients that the work Of separat-
MI, ,n y from me alloy is very expensive-toc
markets. 40 A11'o peon
i have seen several large dealers in tin
goods, and all have expressed their ionor-
anoe o. any project on foot to establish a
. m p sS factory IN this city. For many
this countryside American Thu Plate Man
olacturing Company-but it has never done |
much work. In this concern are a nnmher
d PittsburR and New York men, and e is
Posslnle that its managers are now waking
Pr ana nave concluded to push their enter
prise: Heretofore they have always found
That it cost more to make even inferior tin
plates here than the best quality could be
imported for, but they may hons TO eecnra
fully" 1'A0Ae
\: 3. Taylor. q prominent canned goods
matter pure fiction. Il have TAXED sai " said
he, with number of the leading tin men
1t the city, but they all disclaim any such
knowledge. Tho rumor is wind-nothinR
Q; r. Aughinbaugh. Of tho Auehinbauoh
; scs thgs+ company. was not inclined to be-
.verypooy VINO was seen by the reporter
aid about the same thing.
in thus city the canned goods plant is
'alued at 5000. 600 or over and the annual
production of canned goods at over Sl8 OO.-
~. throughout the counties the produc-
ans for this great quantity Of etuff ahont
We million boxes Of tin plates are annually
equired. Up to few months 400 = hoy
yeraging ITO pounds in weight cost s4.s6
With the increase in the tariff added this
anne box will cost 1856.
meet until next July, but already prices
ave advanced. Some moneyed men aav.
few weeks ago q chance for Circulation in
uying . great quantity of tin plate and
Gliding 1t until the increased duties raiae1
he prices. This scheme was soon detected
y tho manufacturers in Europe. ma TIA
rice of the plates was quickly rsised to
CURE almost equal to what the new tariff
ill make it. The increase in price of tin
lates because of the additional dntv viii
id to the cost of the cans from three to air
ents per dozen. This will leave the nacker
My about one cent profit.
The increased tariff on tin plate will have |
more appreciable effect on the small nack.
re. The additional cost of tin cans will
ause . greater outlay of money, nearly a |
1ird moro than formerly, and MANY. not :
avinR q reserve, will be forced out Of the !
usiness. The richer packers may be able :
, side over the difficulty and hold their I
oods for an increase in price, but in reduc-
q their expenses they will doubtless be
'mpelleo to cut down the wages Of their
nployes.
Jack Frost"
A character kno~n for ages, and one