The sun., 1890-10-08
The Temptation of Major singerly.


The columns OF the Philadelphia Record.
one OF the ablest and honestest Of our free
trade contemporaries, do not yet show any
sign of the struggle that is going on in the
soul OF its estimable proprietor. The latest
numbers Of the Record at hand still describe
the MCKINLEY high tariff as measure that
gives a better opportunity to plunder con.
sumers" They still arraign the protected
American manufacturers as an "insolent
plutocracy, with corrupt TOOLS" How fit
ting" remarked the Record yesterday, that
MCKNLEY's home town should have the
fine Chinese name Of CantonT
Nevertheless, there Is reason to believe
that underneath this brave exterior terri
BILE conflict is in progress in Major SINGER
LY's soul between those ancient enemies and
ever-antagonistic motives Of human action,
principle and profit.
Major SINGERLY Of the Record is q men,
ber OF a syndicate which. in the case of a
less conspicuous and active scourger OF
selfish monopolies and unhallowed COM
binations Of capitalists, we should hardly
hesitate to call trust. Taking advantage
Of the depressed condition Of a certain
American industry, the SNGERLY syndicate
bought last year at very low price the
worsted and woollen mill at Conshohocken
known as BULLoCK's Mill No. 2. This mill
manufactured worsted and woollen goods Of
the class known as diagonals; and In past
years it has had many Government orders
for dark blue cloth to be used in military uni
forms. The prosperity Of the establishment
was demolished by the large importations
of foreign worsteds and woollens. Its market
was spoiled by European competition, It's
machinery became idle more than a year
ago, and its hundreds Of workmen scattered
into idleness. Under these circumstances
Major SINGERLY and his partners bought
the mill for song.
Concerning the purchase Major SN-
aRRLY Is reported in the Philadelphia Press
as saying, in reply to question about the
prospects OF Iresuming work under the pro-
lection Of greatly increased duty on for
eign woollens and worsteds: Il cannot say
what we will do, because we have not
reached any decision. The only thing I can
tell you is that we have bought property
worth over $l5O,OOO for $65oOo."
The whole problem presented to this gen.
erous but perplexed friend Of the con-
sumer is comprehended in the simple
statement quoted above. Major SIN
aERLY has not yet reached any de-
cision because principle and profit are
still wrestling within him for supremacy.
He and his associate capitalists have bought
an extensive plant for little more than
one-third OF It's value. That other Major,
the abhorred MCKINLEY OF the Chinese town
OF Canton, has come along at an opportune
moment and raised the duty on foreign
woollen and worsted cloths Of high grade
from ten cents a pound and thirty-hve per
cent. ad valorem TO forty-four cents pound
and fifty per cent. ad valorem. The foreign
competitor OF BULLocK's Mil No. 2 is barred
out Of tho American market. Major SIN
GERLY has only TO start the wheels that spin
out money fast.
On this point the testimony Of the super
intendent of the COnshohOcken.milI is cOnclu-
slye. "Bince the passage OF the MCKINLEY
BILL" says Superintendent MoYER, ~ can
see no reason why the mill should not bo
run proHtRbly. You may say that the prop.
erty was sold cheap. Well, IL WAS; but the
new tarin bill made all the difference be-
tween good bargain and bad bargain II
the bill had not passed. the purchasers
would have had white elephant on their
hands KowiC will be possible 10 start tho
mill and give employment " tho hundreds
who sadly Deed H."
IL viii be possible ~ start this mill ana
make moRey, but viii Major sIEGEBLY give
the word that sets the wheels IN motion
The dilemma that cODfTOnts his conscience
- Of y peculiarly distressing character. The
dollars RTs IN sight for him RBd biS
employees, and NgjOT sIROEBLY, noble
and uDGsl1sb IA IL bis pOilueaI econ
OIHy. has never seOTBsd the drOSs. II sD-
SbIss him " do good by publishing q free
trade newspaper 20 educate tb0 consumer
aud baiiis tbs d0sIHDs " tbs greedy pro.
Queer. Selfish interest urges him on, and
Schedule X VI the NcEBLEY TsIih smiles
seductive Invitation. But tbsTs stands pin.
clpIs II tue way. warning him back with
pHlB upliited and outward. ard HEylng,
"Sg. MAJOR. no."
10 wOGdrT bD has not TsaelIsd decision,
shall Major kIKOEBLY u tho IihILatIslpklG
RsoOTd become also . TObb6T baron. feeding
upon The taxes lSVIOd Oa the k6lDlSsS con.