The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-08

Statistics Of the exports Of manufactures OF
iron and steel from the United States during
the past fiscal year show how hypocritical is
the cry Of the McKinleyites that a protective
tariff on iron products is necessary for the
fostering Of that infant industry" Ia the
! past year these exports amounted in value 10
S32, 12S, 3O5, against S29 40l392 in the year pre-
vious, and they run through the whole range
of iron and steel production from nails and
spikes to agricultural implements. sewing
machines and steam engines 1t is stated, In
detail, that during the year 275 locomotive
engines were exported. and the exports OF
nails and spikes amounted in value TO
! 1881, 9OS. Agricultural implements consti-
/ tuted S3.219, 100 of these exports and sewing
machines s2.sC9,235 more OF the exports of
machinery and steam engines, amounting in
value to S13,l45,S7l, much the larger share
was sent to Great Britain and the British col
onies Builders hardware, saws and tools
constituted S3,s59,172 Of these exports, the
most Of which were sent also TO Great Britain,
Canada and Australia.
1t does seem that these figures ought to be
conclusive enough to completely answer all the
arguments which the advocates Of high pro-
lection can advance in favor of their pet
theory, certainly so far as iron and steel are
concerned for they show that in spite of all
tariff obstruction, American skilled workmen
and American manufacturers are still able 10
compete with their foreign rivas In view Of
the showing thus made, the question natural
ly arises II our manufacturers are able to
lay down their products Of iron and steel not
only in the British colonies but at the doors
of the English themselves and can thus com
pete with foreign rivals in the markets of the
world. why are high duties needed for their
protection?
The plain truth Of the matter is that this
cry Of protection being needed for the en-
enlargement Of American manufacturers il
all deiuslon and snare. only gotten up in
The interest Of privileged classes and for the
benefit of the Republican party. There il
no export duty on our IRON products. and yet.
without the aid Of protection, we are able 10
compete with outside countries in their man.
ufacture This shows that our iron indus
tries are already sufficiently full grown 10 |
stand alone as far as the world az large is |
concerned. and that the Republican system |
Of high duties are only imposed so that heavy
tribute may be laid on home consumers for
tie enrichment Of monOpolists. our manu-
facturers can make money without protec-
ton by exporting their wares abroad but
that they may get rich suddenly and at tho
expense Of American consumers. they are
by protection given absolute control and
ownership of the home market
The fallacy OF protection then as shown
by thor official statistics is so plain that he
who runs may read Ii is well asked. that If
American steam engines. machinery. sewing
farm implements nails and other
products can find profitable markets in
Canada, Australia and South America without
q protective tariff what IS the need of tariff
~ home ~ When confronted with this cues
ton. winch the returns of commerce natu-
rally and properly elicit. the arif-moDeer il
obliged to take refuge in wilderness OF eva
iions and false assertions.
But there ~ no artiice nor subterfuee Of
arih sophistry that can explain away the
acts and arguments in the statistics of for
IGN trade in iron and steel. The Philadel-
'hia Record truly says. The returns Of trade
u these products show not only that no tariff
needed for their protection at home. but
hat If the tariff distractions should be re-.
noyed the foreign market for them would be
'dely extended. thus giving increased en- ,
loyment and better wages to many thou ,
ands Of American workingmen." !