Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-08-01
j" ANOTHER OBJECT LESSON"

ANOTHER OBJECT LESSUN.
"It has been readily said that
upon the issue of the tin plate in
dustry, the Mckinley Tariff Act
must eventually stand or fall. A
moderate duty having failed to coun-
terbalance the advantages secured
by the long established Welsh in.
dustry. it was determined by the
protectionist party in the United
States to increase it by no less than
a hundred and twenty per cent.
But since the consumption was al
most entirely confined to the British
commodity, the operation ofthe new
duty was delayed for nine months,
say till the first OF the present month,
to allow of both the initiation of the
new industry at home, and the ac-
emulation Of sufficient stocks prior
to the duty coming into force. There
fore, during tue first half of the year,
there has been IN abnormal export
of tin plate IRON here, involving ex.
ceptional activity in Wales.
Bat the day of reverse has come.
50 long as the trade remained good,
and even better than it has been for
n long tine, there was neither time
nor inclination to protest. 1t was a
making hay while the sum shines,
and no complaints were heard. But
suddenly, like bolt from the sky
the country is startled by the state
ment that from 10000 to $4,000 men
are locked ont, deprived OF their liv-
ing for month at least, and trust
ing only to the chances of trade be.
ing resumed for full employment in
the future. The men have indeed
been prepared for the catastrophe
both BY anticipation, and by actual
legal notices. and therefore for one
month the pinch may not be so Sc
we're. But in the uncertainty as to
the future lies the chief factor OF the
situation. 1t is well understood that
the legislation of The United States,
on this head, is to Il great extent
tentative. 1t is even provided by
the Mckinley Act that, if, after a
certain trial period, it will be found
that the new home industry is inca.
pa5le of producing the major part
of the internal consumption, the
tariff is TO be remitted-a proUiso
aohich, as ace hare previously pointed
out, proces more than anything else
the business Ike foresight acith achich
the act acGs framed.
"The problem is, therefore, how
far the United States can produce
for itself. 1t had been freely stated
and believed that atmospheric con
ditions in America lUterfered with
not only the producing Of tin plates,
but of iron and steel. As to these
latter, however, such belief has been
entirely falslfied. IN iron and steel
the United States has not only succeed
ed beyond the erildest hopes. but has
taken the lead 'chich the United King
dom has probably lost forerer. 1t is,
therefore, at least probable that the
making Of tin plates may be equally
possible; and that it is much CUES.
ton of skilled labor and prices.
As to the former, the capitalists of
the United States have not been
slow in their offer to Welsh work. |
men. Already, during the months
lockout, it is announced that some
sixty of the men have gone for n
trip to the United States, to discov.
er for themselves what chance of
permanent employ ment there IS,
achile american agents, aou in
Wales, are offering ,cages from 125 to
$50 per cent. higher than hare been
recently paid IN Wales.
"What the future has in store can
scarcely be gagged. for, snpposing
it to be established that the mann.
facture is possible, there remains
the undetermined factor of prices.
In any case, however, and at the
best, it is pretty certain our market
across the Atlantic Is only likely to
be maintained by some improved and
cheapened method of production, in
addition to the reduction Of wages
and profits on this side. London
Fair Trade.
1Es..zs.-.-s..1-s~<s-sS~1s
Don't Care to Eat"