The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-24
From the London Times. June %.

From the London Times, June %.
From today there commences q twenty weight
days lockout in the works 10 South Wales, rep
resentlng about four-fifths OF the worlds make
OF tin plates. This is due to the Mckinley
tarln coming into operation with respect to
tals commodity, from July l. In anticipation
OF this merchants accumulated in America,
where by far the greater part OF the make goes.
all the TIN plates they could procure, obtaining
them at prices far above the average of the past
lew years, and thus there are now on the other
side OF the Atlantic stocks amounting to at
least l,oO00C0 boxes. 1t was feared that prices
would 1all considerably below the cost OF man
ufacture, and to prevent this the association
OF makers has decided the lockout
mentioned, which, it is estimated, will reduce
the stocks by 100000 boxes. There is dispo-
sition amongst some of the makers TO extend
the period OF their stoppage, if they find that,
at the expiration OF the month, stocks are not
reduced to the level originally expected. 1t is,
however, hardly likely that stocks will be re,
dueed in a month to the extent anticipated by
the makers association, for, in view OF their
action IN almost stopping production, the mer-
chants will probably so increase prices that
consumption will be largely below the average,
which is about 600, 900 boxes month
This lock-o while possibly serving the in
terests or the makers for time, can hardly fail
to have effects of a disastrous character. In the
first place about 10000 people will be thrown out
OF work. Not only will the tin plate workers and
the tradesmen and Others dependent on them
suffer, but those engaged in the iron and steel
trades largely dependent on the tin plate trade)
will also be affected, while the demand for coal
IL
affect at least 1900 collers in the Swansea
and Llanelly districts. Some of the tin
plate manufacturers are endeavoring to
diminish the suffering which would natur-
ally result TO men thrown out of employment
for so long period by offering portion of them
work in carrying out necessary repairs at their
manufactures and in the construction of reser-
voirs. But the men, as whole, are very much.
incensed at the action OF the makers in throw
ing them out for a whole month continuously.
They argue that the stoppage of week each
months wQuld a effSptuQlly
achieve the object the makers have in view, and
there are already rumors of the men resenting
their treatment in q practical manner. Il is
stated that during the month about sixty work
ers Will go on trip TO America. 1t is probable
that one object OF this visit is to ascertain what
facilities there are for transferring their knowl-
edge ana their services TO capitalists Ill Amer
lea. should they as the result of their visit
report favorably to their brethren in " sles il is
not at all unlikely that there may be so large as
exodus IRON this country as to lead to very
| great portion of trade which has hitherto been
| almost entirely monopolized in Wales being
| transferred to America.
Hitherto there has been an idea that it was i'm
possible to manufacture successfully tin plates
| In America because OF atmospheric conditions.
! The same idea prevailed with respect to the
manufacture of iron and steel, only 10 be falsi-
| fed by events. During the visit of the Iron
and Steel Institute to America number of tin
plate makers paid visit TO the United States,
! and the majority on their return reported that
| there was nothing TO prevent the successful
manufacture OF tin plates in America. All that
has been wanted was the skilled labor.
Amongst the men 8 union there Is the opinion
| that the adoption of a continuous months stop
| page, In spite OF the mems protest, is only the
| first step towards a reduction in wages and
| battle with the union
Agents of American capitalists have for the
| past few weeks been in Wales obtaining infor-
| nation as to the best kind of machinery neces-
eary In the economical production Of tin plates,
| and as result orders have already been deliv-
| cred Tor the manufacture and delivery OF some