Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31
HE SAW FOR HIMSELF.
A Leading Tin Plate Maker of Wales
Converted to Protection
BY HIS VISIT TO THIS COUNTRY.
Lis Shrewd 0bservances of the Infant In
dustry of America. e.
A TALK on THE PRESENT CAMPAIGN

LONDON, July 30. H. Rogers, Chair
man of the Tin Plate Makers Association
OF fWslas, has lust returned from the United
States His visit there was to ascertain
what prospects the Welsh tin plate makers
have of regaining the American trade
which was for many years before the new
Republican tariff law their most profitable
market
The Industrial World, of Swansea, the Off
cial organ, OF the association, publishes in
its issue Of July Is long interview with
Chairman Rogers, which will carry con-
sternation to American free traders Chair
man Rogers speaks as a hard-headed bust.
ness man, and his remarks show that he is
keen observer of American affairs The
Welsh tin plate organs reporter first asked
him:
"As result of your recent visit to the
United States can you give some idea of the
prospects of the Democratic party in view
Of the coming Presidential election?''
"Well, was Mr.. Rogers reply, it is gen.
orally regarded that the fight will be an ex-
ceedingly close one.
Repub lean Chances of Success.
'The Republicans say they will certainly
return their President, and the Democrats,
on the other hand, are equally confident
The general opinion is that the Democrats
cannot win unless they carry New York
State, but the Republicans NAV possibly
win even if they lose this State. The parties
are so closely balanced that it is really i'm
possible to say which will win
''Supposing Mr.. Cleveland were elected,
what do you think would be the effect OF his
policy?"
Il think the result would be that the
duties would be gradually lowered, and
that wages would consequently fall The
working classes would, of course not be
willing to remain without work, and manu-
facturers would have to reduce wages to
enable them to compete successfully with
o;her countries Wages in America are at
present about double what they are here,
but if America adopted free trade they
would probably be reduced by one-halt,
and become equal to the wages paid here
The question of free trade or protection is,
therefore, of far more Importance to the
working class of America than it is to any
class in this country. In America the
working class earn high wages at present.
and the cost of living out there is so little
more than it is here that they have much
rapidly.
The Cost of Living in Am-rica.
The reporter here reminded Mr.. Rogers
Of the statements that had often been made
during the last II months as an argument to
prevent the tin platers Of Wales to emf
CRATE to America, that the heat and the cost
of living was much greater in the United
States than in our own country Mr.. Rogers
replied that as a matter of fact such was
not the case. True, house rentlwas higher
there, but the necessities of life to working
men and their families were very cheap.
The best class of clothing was also more ex-
penSive, but that for working me1 was not
The weather was exceedingly hSt during
his visit, and one of the first things Mr..
Rogers did was to purchase s,Tcool, thin
suit, wiz cost him 25 shilliugs, which he
die --.--. 1ii> 1ie>; could get as cheap in this
Referring to the cost of living. Mr.
Rogers instanced the case of Llanelly tin
plate worker, for whom he had found en-
ployment, who told him that not only was
he in position to live comfortably upon
the wages he earned about 36s (S9) week,
but he was able to send about half Of it to
his family at home
Conversation then ensued upon the con-
dition of trade in South Wales, Mr.. Rogers
declaring that it was really worse now than
1t was u months ago, which was proved by
the number of works which were either par
TALLY or wholly idle He could not account
for il and feared that a bad period had set
in, while he could see no prospect of
chasge.
Only a Secondary Consideration.
Mr. Rogers was then asked whether he
had read the recent utterances of Mr.. d.
Randell, member of Parliament, who de-
cared that the action of Messrs Morewood
& Co. in erecting works in the United
States before waiting to see the result OF the
November elections was not only selfish
and suicidal" but also 'ill-timed, mis-
judged and unpatriotic.
Mr.. Rogers smiled and said in reply
that the November elections, however they
might go, would have no effect upon what
they were doing. The Mckinley tariff was
only secondary consideration in their
action. Capital" he added, sis sensitive
and timid and wiH always flow to the coun-
tries which offer most security and the most
free opportunities for untrammeled devel-
opment, and where capital is most abund-
ant there will be the greatest prosperity,
most regular employment and most happi-
ness"
Proceeding. Mr. Rogers remarked that
some of the Democrats said: 1--WE are quite
prepared to admit that if the duties are re-
duced wages will have to be correspond
ingly reduced, but our ann ia that wages
shall be so far reduced that our manu-
fScturers can undersell Europe in neutral
markets such as India. Australia, ETC.; but
We believe that the cost of living and of
luxuries should also be so reduced that
workmen would be as well off at the lower
wages as they are now at the higher wages
Several Works in Course of Erection.
"Are there any other works in course of
erection in America now?"
"Yes, there are several only visited
few. The manufacture of tin plates is, how
ever, very rapidly taking root in the United
States, and some very magnificent plants
have been erected. In one works which 1
visited was the finest which have ever
seen. An enormous steel and tin plate con-
Germ is being built in Chicago"