The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-02-16
DEMOCRATIC PRODUCTS.
Effects of the Cleveland Administration on
National Prosperity.

Effects OF the Cleveland Administration on
National Prosperity.
One of the great industries upon
which the democratic congress is max
ing war most savagely, the iron and
steel manufacture, has just made its
annual statement of production in
1892. As the quantity of all its manu-
featured products is fairly measured by
its consumption of pig iron, the de-
crease of 2,O32, 500 tons, or about % per
cent in the production of pig iron for
the year 1898, compared with 1892 im-
plies change of no small magnitude
in the entire industry. But there is
also to be taken into account the in
crease or decrease of stocks on hand.
The production was only 7,124,5 tons
last year, but the unsold stocks on
hand also increased about 10000 tons
during the year. SO that the quantity
taken for consumption by the manu-
facture was only 6,96S, $50 TONS against
9,247, 2l7 in 1S92-a decrease of 24.6 per
cent. If this were the whole of the
sad story it would mean a tremendous
change in the demand for American
labor. But the decrease in production,
as is well known, occurred during the
last half of the year 1898, and in that
period the production was A per cent.
smaller than the first half of the year,
and 4l8 per cent. smaller than in the
second half of 1892
1t is worth while to consider
moment the meaning of SO
great change. According to
estimates of the Iron and Steel
association, not long ago published,
there were about half a million
persons employed last spring in all de-
partments of this great industry.
Hence a decrease of "A per cent in the
output implies as great decrease in
the employment of labor as if 220, 600
men had been without work for six en-
tire months. Undoubtedly the proper
and at other times less, while during
the whole period many men were at
work only part of the time each week.
But besides all this. the wages of those
remaining employed have been materi-
ally reduced in consequence of the
fierce competition for the small BUSH
ness offered, and while no accurate
statistics of the extent of production
can be made, it evidently lessons the
purchasing power of those employed
as much as If 10 or 20 per cent. of that
mum Der had been without work. 1t is
therefore reasonable to say that, while
little more than half the iron-workers
have been employed during the last six
months of 1898, taking that period as a
whole, the purchasing power of the
half-million families depending on that
great industry for goods produced by
all other manufacturers and by the
than one-half.
OF the origin of this great depression
it is not necessary at this time to speak.
1t is enough here to say that while
other causes passed away months ago,
the apprehension of a great change of
tariff has sufficed to keep more than 40
per cent. of the iron works in the coun-
try idle. and to reduce by about half
the purchasing power of the great
nup1be of persons depending on that
industry. Whether other causes con-
triGuted at the outgo to close the mills
makes no difference, since it appears
that, after those other causes have
ceased to operate, the expectation of
reduced duties, and that alone, has
prevented the employment of so great
share of the hands in this industry.
Blu. these are the results of mere an
ticipation of change. Can anyone
Il hot oil oh
of tariff, which the manufacturers in
this industry have had cause to appe-
bend, would be followed by an even
greater depression, and loss of work for
still greater proportion of the hands
usually employed? The question pend
ing in congress as to this industry ap-
pears to be whether quarter of a
million strong and willing Americans
shall be given work at fair wages, or
shall be forced to go without work in
order that products of other countries
may be purchased for consumption
here.-N. Y. Tribune.
D-The democratic party is now di-
yided in congress into
Free traders.
| Prof. Wilson's followers.
Free traders in everything that does
not hit the particular congressional
district
Tariff for revenae only.
Free traders and income takers
| Revenue tariff and no income tax.
neutrality-suspicious.
Cuckoos.-Toledo Blade.
WThe treasury deficit is only &c..
29S, 45S for the month of January. AT
this rate the debt will soon be entirely
wiped out - according to democratic