Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-25
TIN PLATERY WAGES
Settled On at a Meeting Of the
Manufacturers Association.
THE PRESENT DUTY SUFFICIENT,
And an Increase Has Neither Eeen re-
manded Nor Desired.
PROGRESS OF THE NEW INDUSTRY

i
A called meeting of the Tin Plate Asso.
citation was held at the Monongahela House
yesterday. About 90 manufacturers, repre-.
senting 16 firms, were present. At the
morning meeting committee was ap-
pointed to prepare scale of wages for labor
| in the tin houses. It was decided to pay
the tin and wash men II cents per box, the
cradle boys cents, cleaners 3 cents, dust
ers 219 cents. Secretary Britton explained
that these wages are double the foreign
| rates.
A number of other subjects of interest to
the trade were discussed. The selling terms
were made cash in 30 days, 1 per cent off
The Welsh manufacturers do not sell on
time. They demand immediate payment
with per cent off The Board of Managers
was instructed to confer with the Iron and
Steel Sheet Association about the expedi-
ency of hiring secretary in common for
both organizations AS their interests are
almost identical the chances are this will be
done.
Wages for Skilled Workers.
The question of wages for the skilled me-
chanics has been left with the sheet iron
men, who will arrange scale with the
Amalgamated Association in June. Mr..
Cronemeyer said at present that each firm
hires its own men, and the rate OF wages is
agreed upon between employer and en-
ploye. When the business is established, q
scale will have to be arranged The manu-
facturers think that the sheet iron men are
best posted on the wage problem, and for
this reason it has been referred to them.
The wages paid in Wales are known, but
they will not be used as standard.
A resolution was unanimously adopted de-
claring that the manufacturers are satisfied
with the present tariff and they think it is
adequate for the purpose of protection.
Mr.. Cronemyer said the resolution was
passed to silence the tin plate liars who
have been claiming lately that the manu-
tacturers wanted a higher rate of duty
sThese reports are circulated" he con-
tinued, ''to bring the business into disre-
pute. We want the truth told, and we do
object to being constantly misrepresented.
/ have also heard it said in some quarters
that there is considerable apathy among the
manufacturers about starting up. This is a
great mistake. Some people think
because the discussions are not kept up in
the newspapers that the tin plate business
has died out. After the tariff bill was
paSSeu we lelI tHe newspapers dlOHe, anu IN
stead of making great stir have been at
home building plants They can't be built
in day or summer as some imagined at
the start. 1t takes time to have the ma
chinery made and put in position. It is
true block plates are scarce, but that is our
business, to make them. This is what we
are trying to do"
Growth of the American Industry.
L. R. Coates, of Baltimore, said the pub
lie would be surprised to know what has
been done. He remarked that at the end of
the year the American output would be
100000 boxes, and that in short time
this amount would be increased to 4, 000, 900.
The tin plate men will have an easy time
meeting the requirements of the tariff which
specifies that one-third of the product con-
sumed in the United States must be made
here at the end of five years. Mr. Coates
added that the business is in the expert
mental stage, and much time has been lost
and machinery. The manufacturers are
willing to help each other, and nothing
is concealed. Plans of the mills are
passed around, and any of the makers
will furnish greenhorns who think of 60
ing into the business all the information
possible. In some plants two trains of rolls
have been placed, while some men think
the one-roll mill is the best.
Secretary Britton stated that ID mills are
now in operation, and IS are under construc-
tion. In the aggregate So trains of rolls will
be in operation when all the plants are
completed. The capacity of the mills per
year will be 10000 tons.