St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-08
M'KINLEY'S BLUNDER.
A Study Of the Effect OF the
Mckinley Bill in Great
Britain.
The Investigation Confirms
the Assertions Of the
Democrats.
Articles Most Affected by the
Tariff Are the Common
Grades,
While High-Prieed Goods Will
Find a Market Any
how.

LONDON, Sept. 7.-CO ntinuing the eff
forts which the Associated Press made
in Germany last month to ascertain the
feeling of foreign manufacturers in re-
gard to the Mckinley tariff law, investi-
cations of similar character have been
made throughout Great Britain. While
the exports to America from certain
places show marked falling off, yet
the totals for January, February and
March of this year (the last three months
for which figures are obtainable) show
an increase over the figures of the same
months last year. These months may
be regarded as the best ones for COM
parison since the bill went into effect.
London, where articles of every con-
ceivable description are declared, leads
the list with record of Sl2, 750, 900,
which is nearly S2,000,000 less than in
January, February and March, 1890.
Interviews with several leading manu-
facturers and exporters show that the
metal trade is the one principally af-
fected in the Liverpool district, and the
tin plate trade particularly. There is
complete StagnatlOn in this industry at
present, American buyers, To antici-
pate the working of the new tariff as far
as practicable, imported during the six
months prior TO July l, when the new
rate went into effect. more than enough
tin plate to supply years demand.
The big manufacturers here are all
Hopeful for Change
in the law after the next presidential
election. One of the leading tin plate
men said we were making tin plate, in
fact, but questioned our being able to
make it protitably. One of the largest
Liverpool exporters, who has recently
been in America to judge for himself,
expresses his opinion III this wise:
The increased duty has caused stagna
ton in the tin plate tr%,|..vvt out. As we
had sufficient foresight to get twelve
months stock landed before July /, we
can afford to wait this year and do little
or nothing else"
"Trade is now at standstill with the
South Wales workers." he continued,
and the Liverpool exporters are doing
nothing except in tin plate for oil
cans, etc. The duty does not af-
feet this branch of the trade, except
on the right side. If the Mckinley bIl
is sustained after the coming election
the English trade must be impaired, but
for the present the safe and only policy
to be pursued by both masters and men
is to keep the prices as low as possible
III order to discourage manufacturers
in America. As to the cost, l cannot
say, although we are very anxious to
know what they find the cost of produc.
ton to be-"
Textile Fabrics.
Among the textile manufacturers,
I,Nr a. - (Ha, NJ q
Co., Rule Il GreenIeSs, John Knox, Hig-
gins and Il. Pritchard and Rutherford
Bros, were seen. There was a unanim-
ity of opinion among them that it is too
soon yet to conclude what shall be the
full effect Of the tariff upon WOODEN
goods. So far as the trade has gone.
they say the tariff looks as if it were
quite prOhibitive.
Certainly the trade in the lower quail
tiles will cease. High-class wooden
goods will always be exported. as we'll
TODD Americans will insist on having
them. A great trade was done in Ok
ford and Zephyr sbirtings. This trade
with America began seven wears ago,
but the Americans during that period
have learned to manufacture them, and
the increased tariff has therefore hit
the Glasgow manufacturers of these
goods very heavily. They will, there
fore, have to find out novelties in order
to induceeXports. America used to i'm
port yarns to make these ShirtingS, but
the tariff has also killed this trade be-
tween Glasbow and America. In cotton
handkerchefs of the lower quality the
tariff will injure the Glasgow manu-
facturerS, but In the higher qualities
they still expect to continue their trade
with America.
Lace, Linens and Carpets.
Lace curtains, the duty upon which
was increased from 40 to 60 per cent,
were largely exported to the States. The
manufacturers were busy before the
tariff came into force, but they think
that if the Americans do not put up
machinery the Scotch manufacturers Of
these goods will still be able to hold
their own. The increase of 90 per cent
would not keep the Americans from
purchasing these goods of Scotch manu-
facturers. But the duty may encourage
American manufacturers to set up bust
ness for themselves. Scotch manufact-
urers also think that the humidity of
their climate will always be in their
favor, as in hot climate it is impossible
to spin fine numbers of cotton yarns.
Linen trade manufacturers think that
trade by the tariff. In fact. they believe
here that the Americans cannot weave
linen goods because of their climate.
There are great carpet manufacturers
in Glasgow, but they are not much af-
fecteJ by the tariff. 1t is frankly adj
mitted that the Americans can make
carpets as we'll as the Scotch, Only the
latter believe that they will still be able
to get market in the United States for
choice designs and superior workman
ship, Notwithstanding the tariff.
Cutlery and Cotton Goods.
In Sheffield there are, roughly speak
ing, between 5000 and 1000 men en-
gagged i'll supplying the American mar
ket. For the first few months after the
tariff came into operation these found
great difficulty in obtaining employ
ment, but recently there has been a per
ceptible Improvement in their condition
so far as the more valuable goods are
The lower priced articles
are affected, however, very greatly.
Mr.. Rogers states that high class
goods always find ready market in the
United States or elsewhere, and he be-
lieveS that the American tariff has had
a more disastrous effect upon German
wares than upon the cutlery which
Sheffield is exporting to America. Up
on the lower priced goods, Sheffield as
well as German, the tariff has operated
prejudicially, the specific duty of so
much ad yalorem hitting manufacturers
of these classes of wares very hard.
While some parts of the neighboring
country have suffered severely from the
effects of the new tariff, this cannot be
said OF Lancashire. Inquiry amongst
the principal firms in Manchester. who
directly or Indirectly may be said to
renreeant 1 Ancaehira in +hfs ,,a+to,,. -,