Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-10-30

The following article taken from the
Philadelphia Eceaing Telegraph, a strong
Republican paper, shows how the Me
Kinley tariff bill will affect the wages of
the working classes
A New York journal publishes the re-
port of an interview which its represen-
tative had with the head of the great
carpet manufacturing firm of Higgins d
CO., one of the largest concerns in the
country. Being asked by reporter if,
by reason of the the increased price of
carpets in the market, the firm intended
to increase the wages of its employees,
Mr.. Higgins asked in reply "Are you
talking seriously ?'' The reporter said
he was. Said the great carpet man;
'Then if people have any idea that wages will
go up cent in consequence of the MCKINLEY
bill, they are mistaken. If there is any change
in wages it must have Il downward tendency.
And, what is more, the Mckinley law will, in all
probability, force manufacturers to drop many
of the men and women who arc now employed.
1t will not benefit single human being, but it
will injure many of them"
Further, the head of probably the arg-
est carpet-weaving concern in the country
said:
THE Mckinley law will have these effects in
logical order: The manufacturer puts up prices
because he has to pay more for his carpet wOOls
the wholesaler puts up prices because he has to
pay more to the manufacturer; the retailer
puts up prices because he has to pay more to
the wholesaler; the consumers do not buy as
much on account of increased prices; the con-
sumption being less, the manufacturer pro-
dnces less, and, producing less, he requires
fewer workmen. The direct results are loss of
trade to the manufacturers and dealers, loss of
work by carpet workers, and higher prices for
goods. That is how the Mckinley tax helps us
all around"
This is testimony irrefutable, for it is
out of the mouth of the manufacturer
himself; and if it needed confirmation
in its most essential particular it might
be found in the announcement of the Of
fetal organ of the carpet trade that
three-fourths OF the carpet manufacturers
of the United States had made an agree
ment to restrict their production for a
whole year 40 per cent. The throwing
of nearly one-half Of their working peo-
pie out of employment means no wages
for that number and lower wages for
those continued at work. But President
Harrison has said, Mr.. Reed has declared,
Mr.. Mckinley has stated, Mr.. Lodge
has gwen it out, that the dearness which
the new tariff act has inflicted, and is to
further infiict, is really blessing in dis
guise. This sentiment the newspaper
organs, after having abandoned all other
and previous defences of the Mckinley
| act, are now echoing.
/ This defence is quite as good as any
they have heretofore made with regard
to the measure, but it is not one which
they are likely to find wholly satisfac
tory to the country. If tariff increased
wages in proportion as it increased the
cost of living; if it protected the entire
body of the people, instead of coddline
a small part of them, the organs would
not be obliged, as they are, to shift theil
ground daily, to change their defence
with each new issue.
The whole country would approve it
but the Mckinley act is not a protective
tariff, it never was intended to he; it i
betrayal of the wholesome and judi
cious policy of real protection; it is, a
it was intended to be, repayment of
political debt due to the manufacturers
and a bid for the incurrence of anothe
, similar debt in the future. 1t represent
a vast fund returned to the manufat
, turers in acquittance of the most giganti
corruption fund ever used in America
, politics. 1t is measure which make
the rich richer and the poor poorer.
increases no mans wages; it increase
every mans living expenses
Elect John B. Reynolds, who will yot
| to repeal this bill.