Dodge City times., 1891-06-05
THE TIN HUMBUG.

THE TIN PLATE HUMBUG.
Nh. Niedringhaus is the gentleman
who, for short period represented, or
at least endeavored to represent, a St.
Louis district in Congress. When the
people of that district decided after
mature reflection, that the tariff views
of Mr.. Niedrnghau's party were not
conducive to their interests, it was sup
posed that Mr.. Niedringhaus would re-
tire to the unobtrusive life which he
is so admirably fitted to sdorn. But
the sweets of notoriety were too tempt
ing, and despite the dictates of pru-
dence, Mr.. Niedringhaus found him
self painting for the applause and ad-
miration which he had excited during
his meteoric career. 1t occurred to
the ex-congressman in connection with
his warm appreciation of the benefits
of the Mckinley bill that it would at
once be profitable and patriotic to start
an American tin plate factory, which
as is well known, is factory for the
production of large amount of hum
or. Accordingly, he hustled, provided
for the necessary amount of interview
ing as to the extent of his 'works"
and the magnitude of the enterprise,
boasted of the 365 workmen ''engaged
in these works sent on the tin menus
as convincing proof of "business"
which were such glorious feature of
the amusing "American dinner in
New York.
But Mr.. Niedringhaus fell INTO diff
iculties at the outset The mugwump
got after him. The New York Times
detailed reporter to investigate the
works, and after patient search he
discovered them in a room fifteen by
ten feet, in tbe midst of Mr.. Niedring-
haus granite ironware plant. At that
time it was supposed that the tin work
ing force consisted of three men and
two boys, but the St. Louis Republic
made second investigation, and found
that on the 10th day of May, "the en-
tire output of American tin plate, was
handled by single Wclchman." Af-
ter the burst of patriotism over this
splendid showing had subsided, the
New York Post took hand in the fun.
The Post wrote Mr.. Niedringhaus,
gravely putting in a bid for G, 900 box
es of American tin. Mr.. Niedring-
haus, with the promptness of thor
ough business man, acknowledged the
receipt of the letter in these spirited
words: Il know that newspaper men
don't deal in plates, but if you are will
ing to publish an article of informa-
ton regarding the manufacture of AM
erican tin plates under the Mckinley
bill, for the enlightment of your read
ers, l will gladly prepare and send it
to you.' The Post replied with gray
ity, that while it is unusual for busi-
ness men to ignore sale for the pleas
ure of writing puff for the Mckinley
bill, it nevertheless would accept
cf 1000 words, if Mr..
Niedringhaus would ill the order for
6, 900 boxes 81 American tin. And it
said further, that it would print auoth-
er article ot equal length, IF you vii
accep; our other order for your whole
product Of American tin for the year
Of 1891, mentioning of course, what
the probable amount will be- Aud so
the matter rests: FOR rs the Republic
is Of the opinion that its fellow towns
man hasn u single box of tin plate
FOR the market, the sale and the liter
ary contributions are alike off.
This is a succint history of the tin
plate industry in st. Louis, and i; is
applicable to other frauds which mas
iucradc under that name throughout
-he country. These so-called "worhs"
ire used merely ,o work pn the credul-
ty of snch people a. hlve not yet
,ecovercd from their blind bai;ri in
he virtues of Major McKinleys tns,ti
,ili \ good many hollow hum .a.s
lave been ralmcJ of Gu liz. American
i"ter nnicr the rreicn>e ni car,,ir,,.e
nr,t t. American industry, an.i -.c
n. American products, aad
he hriinwcst of t.cse II. ,,:kcric, y "a.
III plate humhue. Even the l,saiirg
Republican papers OF the We; draw
he line there ar are silent fr"m Very
;hamc-k. G. Star.
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