The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-18

ONSI Gue pOshLDLIlIy VI Llo h4lsOA GaA4A
bill.
Within the past few days a secret
circular on.the matter has been sent to
its various lodges from the headquar-
ters of the Amalgameted Association in
Pittsburgh.
The document bears the date OF
December 13 and the official seal OF the
Association. 1t is addressed to the
officers and members of subordinate
lodges. The text follows in full:
BRoTuERs:-The threatened changes
in the present tariff laws affect our in
terests as iron and steel workers so in-
juriously as to call for active opposition
to their adoption. The Wilson tariff
bill is to be reported to the house with
in a few days. This measure proposes
radical reductions in nearly all OF the
metal schedules, and in some the most
alarming cuts are made, while in others
it is proposed to remove the duty en-
tirely.
We are persuaded that should this
bill be made law very disastrous conse.
quences will follow to the branches OF
our trade affected by the changes.
We are not unmindiul OF the difficult
ties that have confronted US during sew
eral months past, nor OF the disposi-
ton shown by some employers to deny
the right OF organization to their work
men, neither do we shut out from our
view the natural reluctance felt by
wage workers to join in preventing re-
ductions in tariff rates when presuma
bly, such reduction would be felt seri-
ously by those same employers, whose
antagonism to organized labor entities
them to no consideration at labor's
hands.
1t is indisputable that greater enc
my OF protection cannot well be imag-
ined than the employer who prevents
his workmen from associating with
each other to better protect their mutu-
al interests. Too much OF this spirit
has been shown by employers, but this
must not be permitted to influence us
to inactivity when such extremely dan
gerous legislation as the Wilson bill is
proposed.
In the event of the bill passing it is
sure to bring the condition OF our trade
to state that will prove to our disad-
vantage.
WHERE LABOR WILL SUFFER.
Labor will be made to suffer, and it
will be found that that which it is os-
tensibly intended to affect the most
seriously, viz, the profits of manufac-
turers will remain but little injured,
but the losses will be transferred to the
shoulders OF labor.
Among the more serious features Of
the bill is the placing on the free list OF
cotton ties; this means disaster to this
branch OF our trade. The tin and sheet
industry are objects of attack; the cut
in the case of tin is such, should it be-
come law, as to arrest the further
growth of this industry, and in all
probability cause the cessation OF tin
making in this country. When we re-
member the rapid growth and wonder
full spread of the tin industry during
the short time it has been possible to
produce it here, it seems almost in
credible that it is proposed to stamp 1t
out. All products OF the mill are more
or less injuriously affected by the pro-
posed change, and the temptation to
evasion and differentiation held out by
the advalorem character OF the Wilson
bill adds to its power for evil.
The many and various ways in which
this bill, II passed, would injure our
trade cannot be adequately stated with
in the scope OF this circular.
We have deemed it our duty to call
| Al = - Al - a. NsAR ~
bers with view to having them direct
their influence against the enactment OF
the new bill.
Should your lodge, under its seal, re.
quest the congressman from your dis
trict to labor for the defeat of the bill
its passage may be prevented. Address
such letters to your Congressman, house
OF representatives, Washington, D. g.
]. 9. KILdALLoN, NJ. NJ. GARLAND,
Secretary. President.
WILL REMIND REPRESENTATIVES,.
The plan is to have signed protests
against the Wilson bill sent to the SEN
ators and representatives from every
section where there is an Amalgamated
lodge. Thousands OF iron workers who
are debarred from membership in the
association, by reason OF the class OF
work they do, are expected to join in
the protests. Messrs. Garland and Kill
gallon were considerably surprised
when they learned that the circular
had fallen into other hands. They refused
to talk on the matter and left the report
er to infer that their views were fully ex-
pressed in the circular.
FACTS on COTTON TIES
Cotton ties made at Painters mill in
the West End cost the southern planters
about Q cents per pound. These ties
are used to pack up bales OF cotton.
When the cotton goes to marker it is
sold by weight, each bale being dumped
on the scales. Tho ties on the bale are
weighed along with the cotton, and paid
for by the mill owners as part OF the cot
ton. So with cotton selling at s cents a
pound the planter makes profit oil 8
cents on every pound OF ties he pur-
chases.
Another circular, similar to tho one
issued from Amalgamated headquar-
ters. is in course OF preparation by tho
officials of the American Flint Glass
Workers Union. The flint glass indus
try is destructively threatened by the
Wilson bill. The various local unions
l Of the flint glass workers will be ra-