The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-26
AMERICAN TIN PLATE.

but to that other man who takes an in
telligent interest in the development OF
the manufacturing resources of this
country, but who has been led by the
babble of the Democratic press to be-
lieve that in recent instances the Re-
publican policy has attempted impossi-
bilities and, in SO attempting, has
wantonly imposed burdens upon the
people, the report of Special Treasury
Agent Ira Aver Oh the production of tin
and terne plate in the United States
during the fiscal year ended June 30,
| 1892, should be document Of extraor.
dinary interest.
1t has been the emphatic and repeated
declaration of the pro- British free-trade
element that the manufacture of tin
plate in this country in large quantities
In competition with Wales was as i'm
practicable as would be a project on the
part of Quebec enthusiasts to grow the
Canadian supply of bananas or pine
apples. This declaration has gone a
long way towards bringing about its
own verifcation, for its iteration and
reiteration has, it must be supposed, dis
couraged capital from essaying what, it
was assured, was inevitably losing
business, and the man whose courage
aud whose judgment fortified him in
the venture might well hesitate before
the constant menace that at its earliest
moment of power the Democracy would
remove the tariff encouragement and
protection.
In spite of these inauspicious circum-
stances, what has been the first years
history of the tin plate industry? !?
Roughly as its cradle has been rocked,
it has proved lusty infant. Special
Agent Ayers figures are fortified by
sworn statements of manufacturers,
giving name, location of companies and
product. The statistics show that for
the twelve months covered there were
produced in the United States 49,
646,719 pounds of tin and terne
plates, and more than 100000 pounds
of American sheet iron or steel were
made into articles and wares tin or
terne coated. AS the latter manufac-
lures constitute tin and terne plate with
in the meaning of the law, it now seems
probable that when full returns Of the
same are received the total production
for the year, inclusive of such manufac-
lures, will not fall much short of co.
100000 pounds.
But it is when taken by three months
periods that the returns are most sig-
nifcant. The production of tin and
terne plates proper by quarters was as
follows: Quarter ended Sept. 30, 1891,
s26,922 Dec. 81, 1891, 400, 1921; March
81, 1892, 3,2O9,225; June 80, 1892,
s,9OO,751; total, 13,646,7l9. He who
runs may read the phenomenal growth
Of the beaten and abused stepchild.
The second quarter almost doubles the
first, the third moro than doubles the
second and the fourth again more than
doubles the third.
The multiplication Of the number Of
firms engaged is as interesting as the in
crease Of the product. During the first
quarter of the fiscal year five firms
were engaged in the manufacture of tin
and terne plates, eleven during the Sec
ond, twenty during the third and
twenty-six during the fourth. The
probability is that at least eight new
names will be added TO the list of man
ufacturers at the end of the present
quarter.
But, says the free trader, granted that
tin plating can be done and is being
done in this country, where's the use,
seeing that all the black plates have to
be imported? To which make answer
Treasurer Ayers figures, which demon
strate that the quantity Of black plate
produced ia the United States, and