Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-23
OBSTACLES TO MEET.
Circumstances That Will Work
Against Tin Plate Plants.
CONDITION OF LABOR A FACTOR
American Firms That Are Preparing to EN-
bark in the Industry.
CLOSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

There is no end to the amount of coDjec-
turing among the manufacturers over the
exact extent to which the tin plate industry
will be developed in America. All hope
for its success, and yet there are those who
question the ability of American manufac-
turers to compete with Welsh makers, and
give as one of the most potent reasons, that
the class OF skilled labor required cannot
legally be imported, and the difference be-
tween exports at low wages and novIces a:
high wages will amount to more than the
increased duty.
It is given out, however, as an absolute
certainty, that no less than five plants will
be in operation in America in time to place
the product in the market as soon as the
duty goes into effect. All of the contingen-
cies are to be met, and the progress will be
watched with interest.
1t is known that artificial appliances can
not be made available for the production.
Competent workmen, who are thoroughly
acquainted with the industry, must be sub
stituted.
The labor question must be settled by ar
ranging rate of compensation to correspond
with rates paid associated labor. Before
making an investment in the industry,
manufacturers are likely to inquire into the
causes of so many failures in Wales, right
in the center Of the tin-plate industry, where
the makers have all the facilities and the
advantage of experience at their command,
and all these stumbling blocks will natur-
ally be avoided, If possible.
FAILURES EVEN IN WALES.
It is estimated that in IL years, 70 con-
Germs In Wales that were engaged exclu-
sively in the manufacture of tin plate have
failed, and almost every effort in all other
parts of the five Kingdoms has been un-
successful. It is argued by those who
doubt that the industry will be a success,
that there is only one place where it will
thrive. Brussels, they say, is the place for
lace; Belfast for linen; Sheffield for ex-
quisiteiy fine cutlery; Pittsburg Tor iron and
steel, and Wales for tin plate.
The Welsh manufacturers are industrious
and pay the most liberal rate of wages in
Europe for the class of people employed;
yet tin plate making has never been a sue
cess outside of South Wales. 1t is possible,
however, that bor-saving devices will be in
gates to the British Iron and Steel Institute
remarked, while speaking Of the matter: SIT
is hard to imagine any short cuts in tin
plate making which have not been tried.
The difficulty is, that you cannot get a
machine that will think, feel and see"
A DISPATCH reporter had talk with
Secretary Cronnemeyer, of the Western Tin
Plate Association, yesterday. Mr.. Cronne-
meyer is preparing to invest in the indus
try on large scale himself, and, OF course,
has implicit faith in enterprise. He
furnished the names Of the concerns in the
country that are preparing to make tin
plate. 'These," said he, 'are Marshall
Brothers, of Philadelphia, the Pottstown
Company, P. H. Loufman & Co., of Apollo,
and our own firm"
NO FOREIGNERS WANTED.
"Can you tell, Mr.. Cronnemeyer, if the
contract labor law will interfere with secur-
ing competent assistance?" was asked.
"We do not want foreigners" was the
hasty response. 81 have now the names
and addresses of over so men in this country
who know the business from A to z, and as
we develop the industry we will develop
skilled workmanship"
Twill the labor organizations aid in
fostering the business?"
"That remains to be settled. The Anal
| gamated Association has fixed rates for tin
and black plate mills at present, and I
suppose that when we begin the manufacture
of tin plate regularly, they will establish q
| special rate for US.
"About what amount OF capital is required
to put plant into successful operation?"
"That depends altogether on the capacity
desired. l do not believe good plant
could be started for less than S15O, ,OOO."
The cost would depend, as Mr.. Cronne
meyer says, on the size of the establish.
ment-whether it included 10, 20 or 81
mills. Most of the plants in South VALE.
have 80. Mr.. Cronnemeyer also says that
number of firms, including the Charter.
Iron and Steel Company, kirkpatrick 8
Co. and the Canonsburg Iron and Stee
Company had expressed their intention o.
going into the industry previous to tht
passage of the Mckinley bill, but whether