New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-19
BENEFITS OF PROTECTION.
WAGES AND THE COST OF LIVING.
LABoRs OF THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON
FINANCE-PRAIsE FOR Mr.. PECK

LABoRs OF THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON
FINANCE-PRAIsE FOR Mr. PECK.
There will be end to the labors of the sub
committee OF the Finance Committee OF the United
states Senate in the Investigations which have been
carried on for year and half. senators Adrich,
Allison and Carlisle, who are on the subcommittee
held short meeting yesterday at the Fifth Avenue
Hotel. 1t may be the Last meeting Of the committee
Adrch said that the report wages and cost
of living, which covers period Of fifty years, would
be submitted TO the senate after Congress con
venes 1t has been labOriOus undertaking, but has
been accomplished with great success. When com
peted the report will make three large volumes Of
$500 pages altogether. The partial report submitted
each summer, this subject, covering a period Of
years. beginning with the passage Of the Mckinley
Jaw, has withstood adverse criticism. Senator Carlisle
had the fairness to say in speech in the senate that
the first report non partisan and would be OF great
use to political economists This policy OF not color
ing the facts In the slightest has vigorously been
enforced
A stadstician OF National reputation who happened
10 be the Fifth Avenue yesterday was asked
by Tribune reporter what he thought Of the work.
he said
1t Is most complete in It's findings. have ex-
amined 1t myself most carefully, and find many sur
prising results l have found few errors In 1t, ana
1t is really unbiased OF course, both parties can
draw their own deductions from the report, but TO
much comfort out of It,
Senator Carlisle, whose speech have read, tried
to show that increased tariff Increased the prices
and that a decreased tafr brought about lower
prices. Well, l have great respect for senator
Carsle's ability and fairness, but he is entirely
wrong to my way OF thinking. For Instance,
he acknowledged that in September. 1891 the
cost Of living was lower than 1t had been in the
corresponding month Of the two years before, but
added that In other months the prices were Increased
$3.50 900. He. OF course, attributed that In
crease the tariff, but that system had nothing 10 90
with the increase. Provisions less dependent
upon the tariff than furniture, utensils asi other
articles OF household If you should eliminate the
cost Of food you would find that there was an
actual decrease In the cost of living during the
months covered by Mr.. Carlisles computations.
Il suppose my studies make me observe these
things more than most people. And one point that
have noticed, and that have not seen mentioned
I'm the papers, has reference to Commissioners Pecks
report. Tie Senate report states that the rate Oh
wages has increased per cent in two years.
That has been used as an argument TO sho" 'he
falsity Of Mr. Peck's report which says thai there
has been an increase of five per cent In the yearly
earnings Of workmen since the passage of the Mchne!
law Well II you mark the difference, there no
discrepancy whatever. although Democratic papers
aece that there is One report refers 10 the increase
In the rate of wages, and the other deals with the
increased earnings. To my mind there Is no uouo'
that there has been increased activity In BUSINESS
circles / don't gather that from the reports OF e'hei
Mr.. Peck, or Of the Senate Committee but lroa'
advices ! have received and from universal reports
from all parts Of the country, as printed IN news
papers and trade journals. You can readily see ta'
increased earnings depend upon increased prosperity
and not so much increased rates OF wages. A"o
difference between and five per cent SHOWS !"
nv mind the measure of business prosperity IN ,i''
State"
.Wbat do YOU think OF the demand that mas oeeh
made by the Democratic National Comihiuee "po"
Mr. Peck 10 reveal his figures 2" was asked.
at is the most unjust demand that could De
made. was the reply. Il have fanced In my eA
perience Of a quarter Of century mat s'au
are much maligned and unjusty so, 100 Inc ua,"
obtained by them is sacredly private lhVariao'S
reports are obtained under the pledge OF secrecy
10 nublish them would be TO betray that commence
and nrohoblv cause business entertainments II
,roId no the most unjust and intudicious thing any
one could do 10 reveal private facts obtaheo III ,n"
voy II would certainly be against puohc pohcS'
Now I don't know Mr.. Peck, and nave never see"
him. but. judging from my own experience ! ui
bes,,atingly believe that his report was true. ~ WIS
iaa In its scope and extensive in It's resources
, Information DO YOU think that there possibly
cou,d have been any fixed policy Of uoc'oriie '"" 40,
renor+9 II is absurd In q bureau OF tha' hiiiu' WIN
ca many agents any attempt 10 doctor report 'ouiu
oO,v no accomplished BY collision on the part OF all
tho
-, oe well a. / do that ten or twenty or thirty men,
eren q they all be Of political faith, may ho
think alike and the fraud would be qhchiy Tenen',.
~ have soon IL stated too that Carroll ID. wright
cn,o,esoner of Labor In Washington, would ireei'
roveaI ALL OF his private reports Well hno" nc
rou,d NOT neither would any other staosuciah' ""o
~, IN continued lbs usefulness In obtaining correo'
data A., ,ro,,t "a
When Senator Carlisle was seen after the conna.o,
had adjourned he said that he had come 10 10, and
=" attend the meeting of the SUP coh' " s,h
Iso 10 look after some other business IL Wa ~ ~
,,entJv learned tlat the Kentucky ~natT a,i
49, In conference with members OF the Ism az" ~
National Committee concerning the report n ns vn w
Mr. peck This report has podnoeo al g"' comfpr,
- ~ rraders which is devoid OF all co!iol y
Sne,nr Carlisle was summoned here to see Wna IN, Nv
ND ao i'm explaining the figures SATISFACTORILY It
. Democratic point Of view His attemPt I" Nv os
s,ct the beneficial results OF protecuve Ia lain non
fsrmst;yely proven by senator Aldrich ieniaeo uo
IN renort which he submitted 10 me Telh,e. "a
fsilacions but it the bes! that could 1e GCe
nnr Democrat Senator Carlisle goes 10 WaaiiIk eon
s snE and from there will go to KentucKy' wnere
he has some law business to attend TO- al'er 'n"' '
VIII Mr. Mdrich and Mr.. Allison both started Tor 'Gsn
homes last night.