New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-29
THiT EOREIGN MIKERS SEE.

Interesting evidence OH the tin plate que3-
ton comes from "The Industrial World" the
official organ Of the Welsh tin-plate workers.
II appears that neither the Welsh manufact-
urers nor the workers put any confidence IN
the Free Trade story that the making OF tin
plates in this country was impossible. The
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce passed a reso-
luton March %, which. noting the restrictive
results of tho Mckinley Tariff upon the export
of tin plates from this country. ventures to
suggest that the Tin-Pate Workers Union
should confer with the tn-platc manufacturers
of South Wales as to the possibility of taking
steps To improve the situation" Thereupon
"The Industrial World remarks that " there
is no denying the reality of the depression.
Many works have long been idle, and their
number is likely to be considerably added
thcrcton Then it discusses the possibility OF
American competition, as follows:
so far this IS not due to the production Of Amen-
can mates but TO the check TO consumption caused 10y
the Mckinley tariff. But shortly American plates. to
more or less extent will further decrease the de-
mand and Welsh manufacturers VIII for The hr>t umc
stand face to face with competitor. The Liverpool
Chamber q Commerce would have the Welsh employer
and Welsh worxncn take friendly counsel rs To the
best means to adopt IN these altered circumstances IL
l. clearly 10 tho interest Of both 10 produce Tin plates.
tariff or no tariff at price that would drive all CON-
pctors from the field.
The suggestion here is that wages and profits
shall be indefinitely reduced in order to sup
press tho American competition. But great
many of the tin-plate workers have already
taken n different view of the situation and
have quietly migrated TO this country in tho
expectation of getting much higher wages than
they have ever been able to get in Wales. For
them, that would seem to be the obvious solu'
ton. If they remain in tho old country they
will have TO join in any efforts that may be
necessary to reduce the cost Of production, in
order to continue doubtful struggle with tho
new American works, while if they remove to
this country they have the prospect Of enjoy
ing from the outset and for all time to como
largely increased wages. But The American
Manufacturer of Pittsburg. in commenting
upon these events, quotes letter written by
the chairman of the TinPlatc Makers AssO.
citation of Wales, the organization of manu-
facturcrs, to the TinPlatc Workers Associa-
ton. in which he predicts that the manufacture
of tin plates will leave Great Britain just as
the production Of pig iron, steel rails, and ma
chinery has left that country. and declares
that as far as the men employed in the mills
are concerned, / feel no anxiety. If
plates are largely made in America it will be
no great hardship for them to 60 out there"
But as to the finishing departments he says ::
Where or how the tin and wash men to OBJ
tain work is a matter Of grave anxiety to me. No
one having a knowledge OF machinery and Of the
timing OF black plates and the ingenuity Of our
American cousins can seriously doubt that shortly
tho work Will be done automatically without either
TIN men or wash men. We shall have to adopt such
machinery and all the most economical processes,
NO shall not be able to hold our own In such
markets India, Australia and China
No stronger statement has ever been made
by any advocate of the new duty in this coun-
try. But Mr.. Rogers speaks with full knowl-
edge although with the strongest possible ins
terest to believe that tho development of the
manufacture in this country will be found i'm
possible. When such man declares that
American competition is likely not only to sus-
tain itself but to drive England out of the
markets of India Australia and China, unless
the British manufacturers adopt improved pro-
cesscs, it is about time for the Frec-Tradc the
orists Of this country TO cease their assertions
that the new duties must utterly fail to de-
yelop the manufacture in this country
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