The Indianapolis journal., 1891-02-21
AN ENGLISH TRADEs-UEIUNIsT ON FREE
TRADE,

The anti i-free-trade paper in England
called Fair Trade reprints a letter written
by William Y. Jackson, general secretary
of the National Union of Paper-mill-
workers of Great Britain, on the in
dustrial outlook and free imports. A
portion of the letter is devoted to an
explanation of the purposes of trades
uniOnists. He says that when several
employers are seeking one laborer, he
could command his own price, but,
under the new conditions, where one
man in three is idle, the purpose of the
union is to reduce the weekly basis of
labor to the end that all may be en-
ployed. Speaking of the new conditions
of labor incident to the free-trade
policy, Mr.. Jackson says:
The diminution of our previously profit
able husbandry, especially tillage. and all
the rural industry clustering round and
sustained by thriving agriculture. has
driven the discharged and fr0zen-out rural
work-people and tradesmen into the large
towns to swell the crowds of competing
like manner the transitions which
have taken place under our
non-reciprocated free import sys-
TEN, suppressing and extinguishing.
after long process of affiiction, variety
of productive industries. has had like effect.
This appears to be going on unchecked out
OF Difference to the mex plicable delusion OF
30 called free trade.
This sweeping condemnation of Eng
lands free-trade policy is made by
man who represents all of the organized
workers in the paper industry in Great
Britain and Ireland. 1t is, consequently.
worthy of the candid consideration Of
wage-earners in this country who are
constantly being told that protection is
device to rob them in the interest of
capitalists. In regard to the claim of
England, fifty years ago, that she con-
trolled the markets of the world, the
labor-unionist writes:
We have no longer either monopoly of
improved industrial appliances. which we
once enjoyed; nor have We the aggressive
trade. and military and naval spirit of
Pitts and Nelson's time SO that we can nov
command the slightest consideration for
our equitable trade interests on the part of
foreign states. The consequence is that
they are either compelling us to work more
cncaply, through our having to sacrifice
profit to pay their revenue duties, or they
are restricting and excluding our produce
upon the markets by raising duties to pro-
tective standard. We have thus ectircly
falsitied i'll our late experience, tho doc
trInes and the predictions of the commercial
doctrinaires who have persuaded this coun-
try into free import policy.
One other point is emphasized, which
is that the producer, in most eases, pays
the duties imposed upon the merchan-
disc which Great Britain sends to other
countries. This is at variance with the
instruction which Mr.. Cleveland has re-
ceived from Golden Club doctriaaires
He says:
|, The consumer abroad is not, in many
cases. paying the duties imposed our
produce. but we are compelled to sell at a
sacrifice determined by the duty.
This statement is confirmed by the
fact that number of manufacturers of
cutlery and worsted, who have depended
largely on the United States for a mar
ket. announce that they must either
suspend operations or reduce wages.
Mr.. Jackson's remedy is for Great Brit
ain to cease free-trade dreaming and
adopt a policy which will secure to her
industries the advantages which every
nation is giving to hers through pro-
tectiye policy.