Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-07-31
Another Object Lesson.
HOW THE TIN CLAUSE IN THE M'KINLEY
BILL ACTS PRACTICALLY.

HOW THE TIN CLAUSE IN THE MKINLEY
BILL ACTS PRACTICALLY.
Under the caption "Another Object
Lesson" Fair Trade, London journal,
prints the following Article:
at has been repeatedly said that upon
the issue of the tin-plate industry, the
Mckinley tariff act must eventually stand
or fall. A moderate duty having failed
to counterbalance the advantages secured
by the long established Welsh industry,
it was determined by the prOtectionist
party in the United States to increase 1t
by no less thar a hundred and twenty
per cent. But since the consumption was
almost entirely confined to the British
commodity, the operation of the new duty
was deferred for nine months, say till the
first of the present month, to allow OF
both the initiation of the new industry at
home, and the accumulation of sufficient
stocks prior to the duty coming into force.
Therefore, during the first half of the
year, there has been abnormal export OF
tin plates from here, involving exception
al activity in Wales.
But the day of reverse has come. So
long as the trade remained good, and
even better than 1t had been for a long
time, both as TO output and prices, there
was neither time nor inclination to pro-
test. 1t was a case of making hay while
the sun shlnes, and no complaints were
heard. But suddenly, like bolt from
tho blue, the country lie startled by the
statement that from 1000 to $4,000 men
are locked ont, deprived Of their live
ing for month az least, and trusting
only to the chances of the trade being
resumed for full employment in future.
The men have indeed been prepared for
the catastrophe both by anticipation and
by actual legal notices, and therefore for
one month the pinch may not be so severe.
But in the uncertainty as to the future
lies the chief factor to the situation. 1t
is we'll understood that the legislation of
the United States on this head, is to q
great extent tentative. 1t is eyea pro-
vided by the Mckinley act that, il, after
a certain trial period, it be found that the
new home industry is incapable of pro-
ducing the major part of the internal com
sumption, the tariff IS to be remitted-a
proviso which, as We have previously
pointed out, proves more than anything
else the business-lIke foresight with which
the act was framed.
The problem is, therefore. how far the
United States can produce for itself 1t
has been freely stated and believed that
atmospheric conditions in America inter-
ferred with not only the production of tin
plates, but of iron and steel. AS to these
latter, however, such belief has been en-
tirely falsitied. In iron and steel the
United States has not only succeeded be-
yOnd the widest hopes, but has taken
the lead which the United Kingdom has
probably lost forever. 1t Is, therefore, at
least probable that the making of tin
plates may be equally possible and that
it is very much a question of skilled labor
and prices. AS to the former, the capital
lists of the United States have not been
slow in their offers to Welsh workmen.
Already, during the months lockout, it Is
announced that some sixty of the men
have gone for trip 10 the United States,
to discover for themselves what chance of
permanent employment there is. while
American agents. now in Wales, are offer.
ing wages from 125 to $50 per cent. higher
than have been recently paid in Wales.
What the future has In store can scarce
ly be guaged, for, suppoSing it to be es-
tablshed that the manufacture is possible,
there remains the undetermined factor of
prices. In any case, however, and at the
best, it is pretty certain our market across
the Atlantic is only likely to be maintain
ed by some improved and cheapened
method of production, in addition to the
reduction of wages and profits on this
side