Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1892-03-19
HIGHER DUTIES AND LOWER
WAGES.

the effect of the Mckinley Bill on
wages. Read the following extract
FROM speech delivered by the Hon.
Benton McMillin, Of tennessee, in
the House of Representatives on the
9th OF March:
Sir: l have stated that the con-
sumers were not consulted, but that
the manufacturer made his demands
and obtained them. In proof of this
read the statement made by Mr..
.Swank, who ia the representative of
the American Iron and Steel Associa-
ton, to B. F. Jones, president, con-
corning it. It is as follows, In May,
1891:
In addition to the statistical and
other work above referred to a great
deal of attention was given during
the past year TO the question Of tariff
revision, which was one of the first
subjects to be considered by the Con-
gress which was elected IN 1888, which
met for the first time on the first Mon
day in December, 1889. The deliber.
atIons Of Congress on this subject
finally resulted in the passage of the
tariff act known as the Mckinley bill,
which was signed by the President on
the 1st day Of October last, and went
into effect on the 9th day of the same
month. During the long period in
which this measure received the con-
sideration Of Congress, the views of
this association concerning the proper
framing of the metal schedule Of the
new tariff were frequently solicited
and were promptly given. ...-I
This schedule, as it was finally
adopted is, in my judgment, the most
Harmonious and most completely pro-
tective of all the met i schedules that
have ever formed part Of our tariff
legislation, Notwithstanding the fact
that it embodies many reductions in
duties. But these redu ctions, which
would have been disastrous ten or
twenty ye lrs ago, our iron and steel
industries can now afford to accept.
Upon the other hand, few duties in
the metal schedule Of the old tariff
which wera too low to he protective
have been increased in the new tariff
and many duties ia the old tariff we're
left unchanged in tho new tariff. Our
iron and steel manufacturers have
reason to be thankful that the new
tariff adequately protects their inter
ests from injurious foreign competi-
ton and also adequately protects all
other American interest. 1t is work.
ing admirably.
1t is working admRablyl Laughter
and applause on The Democratic side
Now, Mr.. Chairman, boar with me
while | read from the same authority
to show that the laborers' demand for
part OF the increase OF duty went
uuheeded:
Two strikes occurred during the
close Of tho year 1890.
After the tariff act, mind you.
On the first Of December four thou
saud coal miners aud coke workers. in
AlabaIua demanded an advance in
wages which was refused and a GEN
erel strike was ordered which lasted
Until the middle Of january, when
the mon returned to work at the old
wages. During the strike MANY blast
furnaces were banked OF blown ont
On tho last day Of tho old year several
hundred HuugHrans and others Mt
tho Carnegie Edgar Thompson blast
furnace struck for an increase oe
wages, which was refused, whereupon
a riot was precipitated. One limo
cont man MAS killed and Others "a.
riously injured. Several of the Fur.
naces were banked. In the end order
Was restored, but the wages were not
advanced.
Ii was working admirably!
Mr. Chairman, listen again to this
representative:
Since the beginning of the present
year 1871, the most serious labor
difficulty that has occurred has been
in the COnnellsville coke region, where
general refusal by tho miners io No,
oapt a reduction of 10 per cent. in
thvir wages, coupled with a demand
for an iocrease OF 12Jla per cont, re-.
suite in a strike OF 1900 ,niners,
Ne rly all of the coke ovens IN the
dis riot have since boon Idle, and con