The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-09-15

1886. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. l,4l1 4994S9
loo! ....................... ca G45,U73
1000 ...................... oIS Si1,UlO
1907 ..................... o25 1U.GS
1890. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1888 POL ,6e2
The number reported in 1890 is 79S, being
more than ten times as many in this single
year as reported by Mr.. Warner for the
eighteen months covered by his statistics.
Available statistics show that in Great
Britain, the paradise of tariff reformers,
3,l64 strikes occurred in 1889. The British
board of trade officially report l,O2s strikes
in 1890, with 392, 1881 persons Involved in 73S
of these.
| 1t will be seen by a comparison of the
relative number and Importance of strikes
in the United States and in Great Britain
for the year 1890 that the number was
much greater in the latter country, and
that the number of persons involved was
more than three times as great in proper
ton to the number of persons engaged in
useful occupations in the respective coun-
tries.
In the recent strike in the Durham eng
lish) district 1000 coal miners went out
and remained idle from March IL to June
l, when they accepted a reduction of 10 per
cent. in wages. This strike involved the
closing down of 100 blast furnaces in addi-
ton to thesuspension of mining operations.
The statistics submitted by the senator
from Missouri confirm in striking man.
ner the judgment of every intelligent OBJ
server that there has been remarkable
freedom from strikes and labor trou bles in
this country since the passage of the tariff
act of 1890. t can be said that at no time
in the history of the country has labor been
so constantly and profitably employed
and at such satisfactory wages as in the
period referred to. No person in the Unit
ed States with the capacity and willing
ness to work is out of employment.
1t is true that a reduction of wages has
taken place in a limited number of estab-
lishments producing iron and steel; but
the fact should not be overlooked that even
with this reduction the average wages are
still much higher than in any of the other
great industries. The earnings in some
departments are exceptionally high; for
instance, the average net earnings of bar
rollers in all the Pittsburg mills is sl525
per day, and the net earnings in wire rod
rolling are even higher than this.
1t is perhaps proper that l should say a
word in regard to the condition and earn
ings of the operatives in Rhode Island.
That they do not work for miserable pit
lance is shown by statement which
submit and will have printed in The Rec
ord of the relative wages paid in a cotton
mill in Rhode Island and one in Oldham.
England, showing the much greater wages
in Rhode Island. The mills have each
about IL, 900 spindles and make the same
kind of goods.
Instead of working at starvation
wages" the working people OF my state
are enabled from their earnings to live as
well and as comfortably as any similar
class Of people in the world; and their
savings, averaging nearly $1,000 for each
family, deposited in the saving banks of
the state, furnish the best evidence Of
their prosperous and satisfactory cond
ton. These savings, accumulated since
the inauguration of the protective policy
of the United States, are greater per capita,
l believe, than those Of any her indus
trial community in the world
THE senator here read letters from S. N.
D. North, secretary of the American AS
ISOLATION of Wool Manufacturers, and cited
much other evidence showing that tie
Warner list of strikes was grossly exag-
gerated, the same instance being set down
| ScVtIC1 LlIlCS. AlC plSoCuOSA oOilOl
dence of advance of wages and continuedl:
In no class of people in the United States
has the improvement in condition been SO
marked as in the farmers during the period
under consideration.
The prices received for farm products
subsequent to the passage of the act of 1880
show an average increase on all crops OF
1867 per cent. The percentage of increase
on many important articles-corn, for in
stance, at Al per cent.-was greatly above
this average.
It will be seen by an examination of the
report of the committee that the advance
in the average price of all cereals. the COM
putation being made according to their
relative Importance, was $3.50 per cent.
The price received for meats of all kind
averaged per cent. higher in September,
1891, than in June, 1889.
The most striking result shown by the
inquiry was the fact that while there was
considerable decline in the prices of man
ufactured articles which enter into general
consumption there was an advance in the
price of nearly all agricultural products;
and if it had not been for the great decline
that took place in the price of sugar, owing
to removal of duties by the act of 1890, that
large portion of the cost of living which is
embraced in expenditures for food would