The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-05-30

Tho Y9rtm ana bunp 8nhHuek1s
Tho Harlan and HollIngsworth Com
AMY has taken steps with the ship
,uiidern OF the country In preparing
'or free trade leaislation by the next
Jongross- Anticipating thorough
has anlrad Importers OF En-
ztish steel ship-plates, angles and
beams 10 quote for them tho lowest
possible price for this material laid
down at Its works or delivered in Phil
adelphia or New York. In order to
avoid possible losses arising from rad
lcal changes In economic Legislation
the company asked Tor the informa-
lion In advance.
A Morning News reporter ON 6atur-
day interviewed II 7. Cause. Vice
president Of the company, about the
business situation. He said:
Il think that we are the fret to make
this inquiry. We fecl that 1t 10 simply
business wisdom, for us to try to for
tify ourselves against tho conse-
quences Of radical changes in our
tariff and shipping laws. With lower
tariff We shall see lower wages In this
and with the barriers Of pro-
lection broken down we shall feel the
full effects OF British competition.
Therefore, as q matter Of information
In advance, We have asked for reliable
figures as to the cost of English steel
plates, angles and beams, and what
ever else might be required, ali OF
standard shapes to pass Lloyds.
! These materials are within the ca
paolty OF any first Glars mill and could
be made In this country, but with IN
creased competition, either for brisk
trade or In q desperate cutting OF
rates among American builders for
work to keep their yards In operation.
cheap materials. With these ut the
lowest point 1t will not be possible TO
avoid reduction OF wages.
Icould cite three Instances In which
competing companies have recently
cut prices to a psirt below cost In or
der to secure contracts. Everybody
knows that business OF that kind can
mot be kept up. Business must yield
la margin Of profit. aud when all the
advantages of cheap materials have
been secured. II there is no profit iu
the business, WAGES must go down.
This Ia not the fault OF the employers;
1t 10 simply the necessity of tho case
growing out OF conditions which they
cannot control. Labor must bear the
bulk OF the burden In these cases be-
,icause 1t is the element Of greatest
'icost entering into the building OF
lships or OF any other kind OF manu-
ifacturtng. No amount Of argument
Tor agitation can change these condi'
'itions.
These facts ought to be known by
every one Interested In these matters.
sand presume they are known.
hope. Therefore. that the great change
which | think ia inevitable will be
brought about without ruinous agi'
'Itation and strikes.
y Il don't want to be understood as
saying that i think the conditions i'm.
lIposed upon this country by Demo
ieratic success at the polls are perma-
Inent. This country is richer than II
/ ever was. 1t 10 able To pay all Its
ldepts. and It's industry and enterprise
are capable OF meeting any demand
made upon 1t under favorable
conditions. This Ii proven by the
fact that 1t has been going forward
llwili such great strides that it hal
flpassed two decades since the last pan
: lie without having experienced IL
supposed regular recurrence aboui
.ieyery ten OF eleven years.
This depression will not continue
/. great while. As see 1t, it Is the back
ling up OF tho energies OF the countr,
III feStTNOir5 DeulDu ltA lpglIlfnate ell
/ lterprise; and believe these RESTRICTIVE
] barriers will be broken down as by
, Hood. Then there will he such basi
ness boom as this country or no othe
, one has ever experienced.
In the meantime labor and capita
E must adjust their differences as goo,
/, Enaturedly as possible, and then wai
-luntil the political sentiment OF til
country turns again TO protection an
Ito prosperity" ~.