New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-01

or.r,,v.,s dexterously dropping tho metallic form
INTO the socket of the button prepared to receive II.
over it is then placed punch or fastener sese"'s
for the purpose. On the upright handle OF pns
single rap is made with small hammer or mai'o'
and the button is ready to be arranged on pno o"s
board for packing and shipping. .
The process Of the evolution Of single putton,
its steady progress watched, from the smell 10 o
packing box, would occupy short space on "nio'
varying few seconds perhaps as tho turning is oo
or less elaborate. 1t will be noticed however, tss
from the moment the cutter takes the shell IN ms
hand and produces the blank, each piece Is halioieu
separately and alone. Just as one button only can
be cut ut time so can only at time be operateu
upon by the workman who trims the back the oho
who turns the face the one who drills the eocheV VI
the eyes, ard the one who sfixes the metal shank
The skilled labor is accomplished, however ana %
per cont OF the Is covered when the button passS
the girl boy who drills the eyes or inserts inc
metal shank; and it is at this point that interest,"
centres In considering the attempted evasion Vi Vio
law. 1t is maintained by those active In the move
ment that pearl button is not completed button
until 1t is pierced the metallic eye Is anixed, Ou'
that it is manufacture Of mother pearl and SMELL
or Of which these substances or either OF them Is Ue
component material of chief value" and that these
unfinished buttons must be admitted the basis o.
40 per cent ad valorem.
If this position is sustained by the Department, an
eiglteen-line button Of the foreign value OF cent
per gross would simply command duty of 40 cents.
Allowing that 1t would cost cents per gross TO drln
the holes and arrange for market the addition TO the
foreign cost would be only As cents Under the pro
vision relating TO pearl buttons the specific duty OF
2 cents per line would eghteenine button OF
the same foreign value, amount TO As cents per gross
and with the additional ad vaorem duty Of 20 per cent
the total amount would be 20 cents per gross. INC
advantage would thus be greatly in favor OF the foreign
article and practically nullfy the protective feature
afiR 70 ri buttO Besides,
the importers would unquestionably have further ad-
vantages growing out of the temptations and imper-
fectons surrounding the work OF valuation, especially
the shipments would be In bulk consisting OF several
grades 1t is understood that the foreign manu-
lacturers confident that the decision VIII De III
their favor that representative Is already mere afahg
ing TO complete the work on the buttons shipped
time ago as soon as they are released from Vne
Appraisers stores. .
The adaptabilty Of the culinary lathe to the entire
work is feature of the business most perplexng
to the American manufacturer. Here 1t Is operated
convict labor in the lowering of the scale Of wages
much of the work Is done In novels ana by te Lowest
by the feet, and entire families engage
i the seUS branches s e tat the the services wG5
of five members of a single family are
available there for whole week at compensation OF
less than SO. The natives of Bohemia are generally
sEiIfu in mechanism and possess the light touch es
sental Tor delicate workmanship. The manufacture Of
pearl buttons has proved attractive occupation, e
pecially among the poor classes. lathe may be
cheapy procured and while operated by the feet :he
hands are left free to manipulate the material The
work, which can be done within doors. is light ana
Clearly and even children can take part thus the
labor ranks in this industry readily recruited
1t is against such conditions these that the MANI
facurers here have had to contend. They feel thas
their future business is at stake They recognize In INC
movement now made determined struggle on the part
Of foreign manufacturers TO compel the United states
to support the eSnvicts ard paupers OF Contlnenta
EurOpe even If our skilled mechanics are driven
from their benches into other branches OF labor III j.
held by the pearl button manufacturers OF the Uned
States that II fair opportunity TO get their estaD
shments into proper working order under eeonomlea
conditions Is given them, the natural competition VIII
eventually bring the price of pearl buttons to much
lower scale than that ruling at the present time. In
One thing likely to contribute TO such result VIII
be the tendency of retail dealers TO purchase direct
from the manufacturers thus doing away with the
profits now enjoyed by importers and 1obbers Mean
while employment will be furnished to those who seek
II in this department Of manufacture. thus giving way
to Others who shall take their places They hold 70
The true protection theory that other branches OF
business with which they must necessarily have some
connection will be correspondence stimulated. an
of this supplied by the statement that
a large order for new athes was given last week 10
manufacturer thus extending the Industrial line into
another channel.