The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-09-16
Tho Tin Plate Industry.

The Democratic howl against the tin
plato duty is still fresh in the public
minds. When the Mckinley bill placed
tariff on tin plate, SO that q new in
dustry might DO created in this Couu'
try cry went up from every Demo-
cratic paper in the country. No other
clause in the tariff bill was SO viciously
attacked. 1t WIS denounced rs m out
rageous proposition, and ridiculed be-
cause, as was asserted, tin plate could
never be made in this country-we
were not competent. conditions were
against us, or something or other. But
the Mckinley bill was passed with the
tin plate clause in it, and Republicans
ignored Democratic sneera and were
satisfied to await developments.
The clause did not go into effect for
several months, but Democrats kept up
their attacks and did everything in their
power to discourage the establishment
Of the new industry. The law has been
in operation little moro than two
years Immediately upon its passage,
however, capital began to build tin plate
mills. While the buildings were being
erected, and even after the fires had
started, Democratic papers chung tena-
cloudy to the argument that tin plate
could not and would not be made in
America aud denounced the "victous
tax" as useless, because it could accom-
plished nothing. Everybody doubtless
notices that the attacks have ceased to a
great extent. The reason is that the
Republican position has beenvtndicated
and another Democratic prophecy has
failed.
Thursday there appeared before the
ways and means committee at Wash
inston delegation from the American
Tin Plate Association to protest against
repeal Of the duty. It was there de-
yeloped that the industry in the two
wears since the law went into force has
attained great proportions; that it is
growing to be one OF our great manu-
featuring interests and is giving en-
ployment to thousands Of people at
good American wages. During the
hearing W. .. Cronemyer, president OF
the Tin Plate Association said:
When appeared before the committee some
wears nPo. i represented an industry which did
not exist IN tho country. To-day am happy TO
say represent M industry which exists 70
larte extent Since the law Of 1900 over forty
jndustries have been established representing
IN Invested capital OF over four million DOL;
lars which havo manufactured lUS,OOgV0O
pounds Of tin and terne plates, ana our con.
stItnefS pay no more than they have for the past
fnnye0ts The importer Of tip plate does NOT
desire tin plate placed on the free list, but
would DO better satisfied with reduction.
Note that the consumer pays no more
for tin plate thon he has for the past
ten years. What has become of the
charge that the cKinley bill taxed the
poor mans dinner pail? Thousands Of
poor men are given employment and
their tinware is not increased in price.
Asto the wages of the tin plate work
ers, Mr.. Niedringhaus stated to the
committee that 1--WE pay $50 per cent
more in wages than is paid in Europe.
Labor gets all the benefit of the duty.
II the duty is reduced it will reduce
labor"
In the face of these facts will the
Wilson bill repeal the tin plate TARIFF
We shall see.