Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-08-21
TIE POTTERY SCHEDULE.


The InteIligcnccr is an adept at eva
sion. 1t resorted to low political trick
cry when IL attempted to make the
workingmen believe that on account Of
the new tariff rates on pottery there
would have to be a reduction of wages.
To bolster up this assertion it stated
that the wages Of English potters were
126 per cent. less than those OF Ameri-
can pottsrs. The REGISTER showed by
figures taken from consular reports
that this statement was false. 1t
showed also that while the tariff on
pottery has been raised from time to
time the wages of the workmsh have
steadily fallen in the same period
until under the Mckinley law they
reached the lowesiSpoint known in the
history Of that industry. All this the
IntelligGncer passes by without a re-
mark aud switches of onto an agree
megtmade with Senator SMITH by the
manufacturers that the new tariff would
be raised to 40 and 40 per cent, and
that the wages OF potters were fixed on
that basis. Admitting this to be true,
it proves nothing unless it can be shown
that the rate Of duty is not high enough
20 cover the difference in wages be-
tween America and Europe.
Pending the passage Of the Wilson
bill the manufacturers demanded re-
duction OF twenty per cent. in wages
aud an additional reduction of ten per
cent. on account OF the general business
depression-in all thirty per cent A
compromise was effected by which the
workmen accepted reduction of twelve
and ono-half per cent. During the strike
that followed this demand for reduction
IL was brought out that In many cases
English wages were higher than those
offered by the manufacturers, and at
East Liverpool the wOrkmsn were will
ing to accept the English scale, plus
the turif, but this offer was
not entertained Having learned that
the manufacturers would not accept
this offer, the workmen did not make 1t
officially, but that does not alter the
fact nor lessen its significance.
The Mtelligeacer very adroitly puts
the matter Of difference between Eng
lish and American wages in the back
ground and brings to the front its Jap
anese ghost, bearing on its yellow jacket
the announcement Of New York firm
Offering 10 furnish Japanese pottery to
the American public-a business that
has been carried on for years without
any disastrous effects to the
American pottery interests, because
il is confned entirely to
a line Of fancy goods that only the PEG.
pie Of the Orient can manufacture.
The author Of this Japanese scare, says
the East Liverpool Crisis, is a genius
and should make application for mem
bsrship in the American Tariff League.
Such ability should not be allowed to
blush unseen and waste its sweetness in
Wheeling.
When this silly bugaboo was suggest
ed TO the editor OF the IntelligeReer, he
would have made himself less ridiculous
il be had stopped to think. If Japan
can overrun this country with cheap
pottery, she would have done sc
under the Mckinley law, but
she didn't and she would have first tried
the experiment ON free trade England
before going farther and trying to force
her way into America through a wal
Of protection.
The REeIsTER Isl the friend of the
pottery industry ID believes it will
thrive under the new order of things,
( but we do not believe will be advan-
tageous 20 the manufacturers Tor par
usan paper 10 use theil labor troubles
for ths purpose of MAJ ing little DO.
litical capital. The alton OF the
manufacturer and his plOys is pure
y business one ami a such only, II
should be considered,