, 1890-04-23
PROTESTING WARE MEN

The local dealers throughout the coun
try are receiving circulars from the Ma
tional Hardware Dealers association call
ing upon them to enter their most vigor
Gus protests against the passage of the
Mckinley bill. Protests will probably
have very little weight, but the circular
itself contains some very interesting read
ing. We select the following paragraphs;
Take Pocket Culcy-lt was stated BY
a committee OF manufacturer that the
difference between the cost Of the I'M
ported article aud the domestic cost of
production was $50 per cent in favor of
the imported lower priced knives, and
that the difference averaged 200 per cent
on the whole line.
The committee on ways and means were
shown-taking n comparative table sub.
mitted BY the domestic Manufacturer
that the real difference was only 80 per
cent (the present duty, and this result
was demonstrated by afiiAvi's of well
known jobbers and importers and cannot
be successfully challenged,
1t is a well known fact that the bulk of
the pocket cutlery imported is exclusively
such as is not made in this country, and
which this country is not prepared to
make. 1t must be remembered that the
manufacture of pocket cutlery in this
country is only confined to limited
branches and patterns. SO far as it has
gone. the result has been more than sue
cessful in controlling the market against
foreign goods. But there are thousands
of patterns and grades-an outcome of
200 TO 800 years experience-that no
attempt has yet been made to manufac-
ture in this country. and it is now pro-
posed to put on those patterns and grades
a Irohibitory duty To enable the domestic
manufacturers to compel purchasers to
accept their limi;ed patterns, and at their
prices. 1t is perfectly clear from the
past success of the domestic manufactur-
ers under the present tariff of so per
cent that it is only a question of time
and increased intelligence when they will
control the trade IN these goods, and it is
a question whether the COUNTRY Is pre-
pared under governmental compulsion to
contribute to them so per cent. add
tiOnal bounty in the interim.
Raaors The duty of 100 per cent on
razors is put on at the instance OF sub
stantially one manufacturer. and the
cheaper razors used by the poorer classes
will cost under this duty double what
they now cost.
Caring and Cooks KHiues-A few of
these goods are imported because they
are better quality than are made in this
country, aud by putting up the rates it is
proposed to compel the people to take
inferior goods at much higher prices.
Table Cutlerg-It is a well known fact
that nineteen-twenticths OF all the table
cutlery marketed in this country for the
past twenty years has been made here,
and the only known reason for the ad-
vance in duty is to enable the table cut
lery combination to still further advance
their prices. The committee on ways
and means we're shown by evidence that
cannot be disproved that the difference
between the domestic cost of production
and the cost Of the foreign article under
the present duty of IS per cent ad va
lorem is II per cent in favor of the do
l~nestic, and they were not only shown
this, but a statement of results for 1889
from one OF the members OF the combIna-
ton was submitted, showing earnings OF
about 81 per cent on the capital em
Dloyed.
If the committee on ways and means
had put table cutlery on the free list moth
ing could have been imported except a
few high priced goods like Rodgers
which sell on their reputation. This ac-
ton on table cutlery shows the foolishness
OF this whole business
Butcher kaiue 1t IS well known tia,
very few Of these goods are imported
except well known brands tina, sell o
their quality and reputation. The.
brands will continue to be sold under