New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-11
Il TEST OF TILE TARIFF.

Let the people Judge the new tariff by It's re-
cults Renublicans ask nothing more. That
they may Judge intelligenty results must De
ma do known TO them, and the effects OF the TN
plate duty promise to supply the oeSt posSioie
illustration of the benefits of Protection 1t VIII
he remembered that after the election IN NO
vemher loud and general clamOr was raised by
democrats and some scared Republicans for the
repeal of the tin plate duty, on the ground that
it was exceptionally odious and burdensome.
1t would increase the cost OF every dinher-pail
and of all tin cans, it was said, and consequent
" of all canned food. 1t would take from the
neople far more than the $4,000 600 which, II
was said, the duty would put into the Treasury.
1t was further asserted that no manufacture OF
tin plates was possible IN TINS country Or "o'h"
ever be seriously undertaken.
One of the most earnest opponents OF THIS
duty when the bill was pending in Congress
was Representative NiedringhauS OF St Louis
But he has been the first American manufactures
to turn out tin plates. is producing about per
cent of the entire quantity required IN the couil-
try, and is putting up another mill exclusively
for that manufacture. Another concern al NC
Keesport. Penn is now producing about as
much. and others already are at work at BROOK
lyn. Chicago, and in other parts of the country
Mr. Niedringhaus who says that there is not
large amount of profit in the business, mas re-
ceived some information from the other slde OF
the water which deserves attention. lie says :
have received letters from the English manufact-
nrers Of tin plates recently saying that after Jny j.
when the duty tin plate takes effect they Will sei
their product here at the price at when II no" seis'
duty pad-that IS that the English manufacturer OF
tla Arnnp loan
so4 ton additional duty and that the American CON
SINNER will pay 10 more for the English plate than ne
paid before the duty placed on it. That Is what
Mr. Mckinley predicted when the Tariff bill was under
discussion. This represents only part OF Inc Eng
ish profit At existing prices we could enter into com
petition with the English manufacturer without t'e
nterposon of protective tarif. but, believing that
much more than legitimate profit involved. we
couh not afford 10 engage In this competition on mo
margin which has existed, because the chances were
that the English manufacture would cut these prices
70 figure at which we would be driven ont OF the mar
ket and still make good profit on his product
Time will show whether this information is
correct Certainly it is supported as to the
mast profits of English manufacturers, by Official
and other statements in British journals. he
enormous gains of the leading makers have been
secured in part by perfect combination IN
trust which has fixed prices at pleasure II has
long been known by Americans inclined to go
into the business that the British trust could
put down the price materially at any tmc IN
order to crush competition and yet retain some
profit on the product. What Mr.. Niedrlnghaus
represents is precisely what some trade Journals
in Great Britain have already suggested and
that course moreover, Is obviously necessary.
The capacitv Of the works engaged in this bust
ness in Great Britain is much more than double
the entire consumption of the world outside the
United States. If the American demand were
Withdrawn Or greatly reduced bankruptcy of
many works would be inevitable Whether by
order Of the trust or because of the necessities
| Of the makers, the price Is likely to be cut down
/ until it is definitely settled whether the Amcrl-
can manufacturers can continue. The last cleo
| ton prevented the transfer OF many English
works to this country, and Mr.. Niedrnghaus
says:
There were tweny-three English manufacturers over
here examining the field after the passage OF the ne"
law but they all went back believing that the law
would be changed. one Of them-Mr. Rogers-was In
ST. Lous and showed him that lie could get his fuel
there at onethird the price which he pays for it IN
South Wales But after looking around for time ha
said he thought the Democratic party would take care
of him, and he went back to England without making
| any investments
An exceedingly interesting remark, this, for
British manufacturer engaged in trying to
suppress an American industry "The Demo
cratic party would take care of him" That re-
mains to be seen. But if the people OF this
country get their tin plates as cheaply after the
new duty goes into effect as they have got them
hitherto, it is safe to say that no voter Of sense
will favor a repeal Of the tin plate duty in order
TO destroy American industries and to enrich a