The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-10-29
"NOT A POLITICAL DOCUMENT" !"
But Highly Instructive for those VIII
Think the Tariff is Not Tax.

But Highly Instructive for those Who
Think the Tariff is Not a Tax.
GFrom the Chicago News.l
The only comment which it seems
necessary to make on the subioined cir
cular is that contained in theletter of
transmittal, in which the information is
vouchsafed that 1.-The house was estab-
lished by the late Wilder D. Foster, for
many years Republican member of Con-
gress from this district. Although dead
his name is still at the head of the firm
and his estate is partner:
FOSTER, STEVENS co.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, Sept. 10, 1890
Gentlemen: AS important and rather
radical advances in prices of some arti-
cles in the hardware line are daily talk
ing place we wish to say few words so
you may more fully understand the sit
uation and not think that the jobber is
overcharging you.
There is now but one axe company in
the United States, and that is called the
American Axe and Tool Company, with
headquarters at Pittsburgh. The COM
pany has purchased outright every axe
factory in the country of any Importance,
and by thus controlling the production
has advanced prices on an average So a
dozen. This company also controls the
manufacture of axe polls, or the heads
of axes, the machinery of which is pat
ented, and this enables it to keep the
price on polls so high no one else can af-
ford to make axes.
sAws-HAND AND cRoss-CUT.
In this industry the same forces have
been at work, and to-day there are but
two companies who manufacture hand
saws where there were a dozen four
months ago. Prices in this line of goods
have been advanced from 10 to 40 per
cent. In cross-cuts it is the same. BY
a consolidation of interests prices have
been advanced from four to eight cents
q foot.
Every thing made of lead has takenaa
decided advance, owing to recent decis-
ions on the admitting of Mexican ore
into this country, as we'll as by combin-
ations of manufacturers. Shot, lead
pipe, pig lead, solder, babbit metal have
all advanced, and may go still higher.
The passage of the Silver bill will also
affect all articles made of or coated with
silver. In the hardware line plated
knives and forks, spoons, etc., will be
affected and advances made.
The present tariff on sheet tin is one
cent pound, and the Mckinley Tariff
Bill, which no doubt will pass both
houses of Congress, advances the duty
to 2-10 cents a pound. This must, of
course, advance tin from $1.25 to So a
box, according to the weight of said box.
This advance in sheet tin will affect all
articles of tinware, and advances will be
made all along the line.
Tin in New York has already advanced
from so cents to 81 box and is growing
stronger each day, as the certainty of
the passage of the Mckinley Tariff Bill
becomes more assured. Not box of
tin is made in this country, notwith-
standing which tin has declined in price
from SIS to SITS box during the last
twenty-five years.
GLASS.
The window-glass market of this
country is practically in the hands of
two large companies, who work in har-
mony as to prices, which has resulted
in steady advance for the last year.
averaging about 80 per cent.
ZINC OR STOVE BOARDS
The Adams G. West1ake Company, A.
l. Griggs Sidney, Shepherd & Co.,
Palmer Manufacturing Company, H.
Rendtorff & c., Central Stamping Com
pany, w. H. Sweeney Manufacturing
Company-all the above named firms
were anxious for our business last year,
but now they have all sold out to the
American Stove Board Company, with
offices in New York and Chicago, and a
general advance on all lines have taken
place. Last year you could buy 2S-
inch square paper-lined zinc for 36 cents.
This year the same thing costs you 72
cents-an advance of 100 per cent.
SUMMARY.
We call your attention to these mat
ters so you will unders tand why, on near
ly every invoice you get, you will find
some thing higher than it was before.
The tendency OF the times seems to
be to consolidation, thus enabling large
corporations to produce the goods cheap
er and sell them at a higher price. We
fail to find, however, in all the consoli.
dation of various lines of goods single
instance, Notwithstanding the ad.
vance they put on goods, where
they have advanced the pay OF
labor cent. If the consumer who pur.
chases last does not pay this increased
A. L,
reaps any personal benefit from it we
would like to know where it comes in.
This is not political document, buta
fair statement of the condition of Ger.
tain lines of business as we daily come
in contact with them.
FOSTER, STEVENS & Co.,