New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-31


Importation for year ending July 1900 S9 9 9ds
importation for yeor ending July 1892 0Sl ,o9o
nec,e,so in ,mnor,atlons .............. s77042.
American cutlery made for year ending July, sO.o ooo
American cutlery made for year ending July, nm ooo
1892 'toOO'O
Increase OF American manufacture. so5oooo
Most OF the worllmen in the Connecticut cut
lcry factories are either English or German ny
birth Many Of them have been in this country
and in the same factory for years. They are
steady, sober and industrious. The greater num-
Der of them own the homes in which they 1--we,
and have growing accounts in the savings banks.
IL is the custom of q father when he enters INTO
a contract with firm to stipulate that ms son
shall be permitted to come into the factory az the
proper age and learn the business under his super
vision The work is hard particularly 'hat VI
grinding. grinding room is strange sight,
never to be forgotten Scores of men. all pc-
spattered with mud each sitting on horse
built over a huge whirling grindStone, are pear
ing down a steel blade upon the stone Win 1uil
strength. A shower Of sparks flies from the
stone into an exhaust pipe. 1t is not an aVrac-
tive place Sometimes n fast whirling stone
will burst. but the framework is fastened to the
Hoor with enormous chains and an accident does
not often result fatally. But if grinder does
not die from breaking stone, he is likely 70 De
carried of by consumption. 1t is tollsome
trade involving risk of life and health In Eng
land the grinders get only one-half what INC
grinders earn here and in Germany the rate ooes
not exceed one-third of the American wages III
making a comparison in wages OF Knic-ni"Hei'
in Europe and America, the radical aimGrsm.o
in the processes must De taken in'o "rSaniza
ton In this country the system Oh orxa nn.ss
tions which Is the secret OF American euccesS:
gives TO each man a separate and disahcs p"ii a.
in the manufacture Of knife 80 that ,h "e hands
.bahv
Of fifty men Notwithstanding this division .S %.
work. which is greatly aided by machinery r tu
cost Of the labor is not below ~ Per syle and ap
finished the knives are UNIFORM III e'si' " "
pearance and are superior. ,oooss 10 radi.
In England and Germany the process Is Is done done
cally different The making OF knives IL uthr
laraSslv by the sub-cOntract system. A cntlef
undertakes to turn ont certain nui'b M ha
knives lie is furnished with materials r "IO the
newer buy his own oil, and hire his own heip'
After he has filed his contract, PAID !or DIS hop
rent and all his other EXPENSE, ms mike nJ. here
In Europe the sub-contractor takes ms worh
home after he has quit the shop. ana Is ie ra%
by his children The way IocS @. of nfsnfmakins
Ia Eurone not enough money can be earned to
lny meat more frequently thar once Week.
The following comparison !; Ina APE SoSntry by the
weel, and the money earned in Europe
WAGES IN THE CUTLERY TRADE
~ on, ,orv.,. g sSS Eas'ssn $. 'sH
S,%dss. and ani'hrrs iSSS SO l.
There is no form Of trust or combination ex-
is.inr among the cutlery factories OF Connecticun
Competition has been so active that nd prices S@c on
outIerv NO General increase has been made wages
have increased. and the factories running on
fu time Competition with counterfeit nDI kni t6
American market is larger. No attempt has Deeh
made in Connecticut by any factory to build up a
foreign trade II these factories can get a nome
martrt as they are likely to do under the pro
X;sons Of the Mckinley law. a great gain VIII De
Accomplished The proprietors OF these factories
arc men of moderate means They have lnEe thst
thoy asked Congress 10 do for them was to equal
i've the difference in labor between the two co,l-
tries by an Increase in the tariff; ana while tnae
has not been accomplished with precision they arc
satisfied with the Mckinley law. 1t has saved
their business from destruction.