Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-17
TWO SETS OF PRICES.
Niedringhaus Sells Cheaper to Canada
Than to the United States.

New YORK, Aug. 15.-The Evening
Post this afternoon publishes an inter-
view with ''dealer in and importer or
granite or agate ware, aiming to prove
that the present duty on those goods is
unnecessary. In the course OF the In
terview "dealer and importer" makes
some interesting allegations.
There are two companies" said this
gentleman, "who practically have mo-
nopoly of the manufacture OF this
granite or agate iron ware In this
country. They are the st. Louis
Stamping Company and the La
lance g. Grosjean Manufacturing Com
pany, Of Woodhaven, J.. l. The first
named company is really Mr.. Niedrlng-
haus. His company manufactures what
Is known as granite ironware; the Le-
lance and Grosjean Company make agate
ironward. The difference is only In the
name. These two companies have had
q monopoly of the manufacture OF these
goods for the last fifteen years. They
divided the territory between them and
control the entire trade. They use the
same price-list pamphlet, only change
tho covers and give the same discount.
"For some time tho duty on enamel
ware, that being the class under which
these so-called agate or granite goods
are rated, was 45 per cent. There was
then little or no competition. A few
years ago, however, Messrs. Stansky Il
Co., of Canal street, began to import
what Is known as the blue and white
enamel steel ware (mostly kitchen uten-
sils), and in the last six or seven years
succeeded in building up good trade.
"The effect Of this was felt by Med
ringhaus, and he got the duty on enamel
ware increased in the Mckinley bill TO
so per cent. for enamel ware In more
than one color. The imported ware is
blue outside and white inside. The do
mestlc article being white on the
inside makes the imported ware very
popular. The importers, however,
were satisfied with their trade and did
not particularly mind the increase of
per cent. on the tariff, as they still
could hold their own in this country
with the domestic manufacturers in
price, quality being considered.
"They claim they actually sell a far
better article for less money than the
domestic monopolists. But they were
greatly puzzled to find themselves
beaten in Canada by the very men
against whom they successfully CON-
pete in this country. In Canada the
import duty on enamel ware IS IS per
cent, so that the men who sell the Ger
man ware there should apparently have
an advantage Of Is per cent in the
United States, as compared with the
competition in this country. But such
is not the case, and for this very simple
reason:
"The manufacturers OF granite or
agate ware in the United States, namely
the st. Louis Stamping Company (Mr.
Niedringhaus) and the Lalance & Gros'
Jean Manufacturing Company, have
two prices for the same goods, one for
the people of the United States, and
another for the people OF Canada.
Investigation shows that to meet a
lower duty which is charged in Canada
on enameled goods, the manufacturers
here have a Canadian trade price list,
the prices OF which are 25 per cent
lower than the prices for this country.
And, furthermore, the manufacturers,
In order to get the Canadian trade, go
even far below the published price list.
Canadian dealers claim that they can
buy the goods at 60 per cent. of the
Canadian price list, with the goods laid
down in Canada, freight and duty paid.
"That MEANS said the Erentng Posts
informant, "that under ordinary favor
able circumstances, the Canadians get
the American made goods from IS 10 40
per cent. cheaper than Americans do.
The injustice Of Americans being thus
compelled to pay into the pockets Of the |
manufacturers that extra IS or 40 per
cent. more than is really necessary TO |
protect the manufacturer and give him |
a little advantage over importers must !
be apparent to every one."
al fho