New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-25
THE COT7ON SCHEDULE and THE STRIkE.

| The extensive strike in the cotton mills Is
| treated as IL It's cause were mystery by some
Journals. and by others as a new illustration or
the Unsuitable greed Of protected corporations.
Both modes OF treatment are dlscreditaDy iS-
norant or worse Prices Of print cloths. the prod
net OF most OF the mills in which the strikes
have occurred. have not been directly ah"ct'u
for many years by foreign competition. Dut are
greatly affected by the general consumption OF
the people: and the prostraton OF all Industries
by the Democratic threat Of change In the pol
icy Of the Government has affected the con-
sumption Of cotton goods-not as much, TO be
sure as the consumption OF woollen or IRON
products. but fully % per cent during the last
year In their anxiety 10 keep hands ut work
and avoid controversy about wages as long as
possible the mills have been piling up goods
until the stock Of unsol1 cloths At Fall River
and Providence is about 100000 pieces.
For months It has been understood that the
passage Of new tariff would be followed by
reduction Of wages in this rs In other branches
OF manufacture Foreign competition Will ma
tcrially affect not prices OF print cloths direct
". but prices az which great variety OF prints
can be- sold, and the quantity that can be sold,
and thus Indirectly compels the makers OF print
cloths Ia produce at lower cost Ii has been
supposed by many that the new cotton schedule,
which was devised bv some Of the Fall River
manufacturers would relieve that Industry from
all cmbarras -m"nt in consequence Of III" new
tariff 4 remark OF Senator Aldrtch that the
new schedule. although lower than il ought 10
be- was The most scientific tariff on cotton goods
yet enacted. has been widely quoted by Demo
Gratis ~ II hc had stated that II was high enough
10 prevent any reduction OF wages. Ills state
mcnt that II altogether too low was quite
important and as much entitled 10 credit as
the other part Of the remark which Democrats
hungrIly quote.
The truth about this schedule Is that II was
ingeniousy conirlycd 10 afford exceptional pro
duction 10 manufacturers Of the finer and more
costly goods. In which importers have had rela-
lively the advantage. and for some such goods
II j. believed Ia give actually greater advantages
10 American producers than are given by the
present tariff. But on the far greater quantity
OF imports somewhat less fine and costly. the
new schedule cuts down duties largely. and will
Involve n reduction IN prices Of corresponding
domestic products. and Of the cloths used IN
their manufacture. II Is well known that on the
cOarscr and cheaper cottOnS there can be- no
foreign competition in any natural state OF the
market But the aggregate demand for Amcri-
can goods would b" very materially diminished.
and consequently The demand for the work ~
spinncrs and wcavcrS. II the goods Of inter
mediate quality on which duties have been much
reduced should be- held without change at prcvl-
ous prices. This fact which Senator Aldrlch
covers In his statement that the proposed duties.
though scientifically adjusted. We're altogether
too low. means that many thousand Americans
must either work at lower wages or b. thrown
out Of employment by foreign competition.
Whether the reduction Of wages proposed In
the mills Of Fall River anI Ncw-Bcdford was
In each ease necessary. the public may not be
qualified 10 Judge The fact which cannot be
ignored or shuted out Of sight Is that the great
accumulation Of unsold goods and the prolonged
depression Of the last year are direct conse-
quences Of the Democratic threat Of Il change
which, now that il has come. compels II general
reduction OF wages In all manufactures and In
the cotton manufacture as well rs In others
Those who ignore or attempt 10 hide this fact
betray their own ignorance or dishonesty II is
simply impossible 10 maintain the former rate
Of wages for American workers. and mt the
OF employment by substitution Of foreign for
American goods In consumption. and 10 avoid
the discharge OF many thousand more by re-
duction OF prices to meet foreign competition
AT lower rates Of duty II Democratic workers
have imagined that they can vote for Demo
cratic tariff and still retain Republican wages
they will certainly be undeceived.