The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-09-08
EFFECTS OF OUR TARIFF LAW.
concluded irom First Page. !

tho linen trade. to cause manufacturers to
use much smaller sized yarns and to send
to America much higher priced goods.
There IL, they say. In many markets de-
mand for linens of useful and cheaper
makes. The new tariff prevents such goods
from being sent, as the duty falls with its
prohibitive force upon the ordinary dOmes-
tic linens. In jute goods there is upon
staple manufactures of Dundee only
very slight change. but the abolition of the
duty upon raw jute-a duty of about f3 q
ton upon a fibre which sells at f10 to SIS
may. in the end, create jute industry In
America. This, however, has not had time
as vet to give confidence to capitalists. To
erect works In America IS, In the opinion OF
Dundee manufacturers, q great peril. Cap
ital. they say, liz shy a t risking TO build up
on q foundation so unstable. popular
vote, they argue. may change all the con.
ditlons in which such trade is built up.
In the meantime the very large American
wheat crop, with the deficient crop In
Europe, requires the movement of much
grain from the United States to Europe.
and. therefore. the demand for British
made burlaps isvery great.
CONSEQUENTIAL NEWS FIGURES.
The most interesting and important state
ments tc Americans in connection with this
investigation were obtained from the Hon.
John c. New, consul general of the United
States at London, who was asked by the
Associated Press correspondent what were
the effects of the tariff act on the export
trade in London and Great Britain. Col
New said: IL can only give you the facts
that have come under my observation in
my own office and those that have been re-
ported to me by the cOnHnlS under my juriS-
diction. For the six months ending June
90 of this year there was o falling off
of about 10 per cent. in the num-
har nf inv "a I'M a a. rlr q
ana q decrease of from 10 to ID per cent. in
the value OF the exports. as compared with
the corresponding months of 1890. During
the same period the reports from all the
coDsulates IN Great Britain show marked
decrease in exports of such articles as
silks, fine worsted dress goods. fine unions
which are cotton and linen mixed goods.
wool, camel and gOat-hair goods, and man.
ufactures of iron and steel amounting, APP
prOxilnately, to so per cent. while the de-
crease in the value of cutlery exported
amounts to about 60 per cent"
Have there been any articles the expor-
tation of which has increased"
Yes: tin plate, for instance has doubled,
and manufactured woods. with an in
creased duty. have largely increased.
Hemp and flax. with decreased duty,
have doubled, and drugs, also with a de-
creased duty. have nearly doubled. These
articles reduce the average OF decrease in
the whole volume of exports from Great
Britain very materially. and taken in con-
nection with the articles which have been
added to the free list under the tariff act,
| the expectation of which has largely in
creased. it would appear that there is no
great paralysis of trade between our coun-
try and this"
EDO you think the trade will continue to
| decreaseV
II take it that the trade of this country
with the United States will increase in
proportion as our population increases, and
that Great Britain need have no fear of the
| healthy competition of American manufact-
urers. who are protected by the tariff only
| against the lower wages on this side of the
water"
During some further general discussion
| questions as to details, Consul general
| New said to the correspondent: 1T is no
ticeable that the exports of the materials
for manufacturing the cheaper grades OF
| goods which are used by the work.
have increased. while the exports OF
such goods as silks. fine worsted
| dress goods unions and fine wooden, camel
| and gOat-hair goods have fallen OFF, which
| goes TO show that the effect of the tariff ID
| a benefit. rather than hardship. to the la
| bOrers in the United States. England may
have suffered somewhat, but America has
certainly gained by the result. This is q
free-trade country because the English are
manufacturers. and not producers. and
| they necessarily have to get their supplies
/ from other countries. Manufacturers here
must sell everything that they make. and
! the adverse interest of our country 10 only