The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-02-26
rHE WEATHER



TARIFF Up. WAGES DOWN.
The strike OF the Trenton potters will
serve one good purpose, though any
strike is 20 be regretted. For the pur-
pose Of furnishing argument against the
Wilson tariff bill the pottery barons cut
wages and brought about trouble with
their employees. In an unguarded mo-
ment they proposed 10 pay English
wages plus the tariff, but reference TO
the facts about wages and duties showed
them that the tariff duties are more
than twice the labor cost OF production
from the clay TO the kiln; that is, where
a Trenton manufacturer paid - In
wages an English manufactures paid
g1O in tariff duties On the same amount
OF goods. The offer Of the Trenton car
ops was hastily withdrawn, and they
were driven to other excuses Tor cutting
wages.
The continued and persistent reduo-
ton Of their wages, with excuse ana
without excuse, has so exasperated the
workmen in the potteries that they have
made a statement Of the history OF
wages in the pottery business and II
develops that reductions were begun
when high protective tariffs were put on
the product. The manufacturers have
always had protection. In 1872 It was
30 per cent. in 1857 it was "a, IN 1868 Il
was 80. and 10 1867 it was put up to 40
per cent. It's now 50 per cent In
1874 the manufacturers began TO cut
down wages, and they have never de-
sisted. Last week the potters prepared
an exhaustive statement. Though not
signed il is none the less an official
statement Of the potters' union. 1t
says:
In 1874 the manufacturers cut down
wages. the men struck and she old rates
we're restored. In 1856. seen after the
pssssge Of ths act Of 1888 increasing dH-
ties. another strike against reduction in
wages lasted from January until March.
The men we're forced 20 accept q reduction
Of three per cent In December 1880, after
the Mckinley tariff wss enacted. the ssni-
tsry ware combination forced another
strike By q cut Of from 10 70 40 per cent.
The men we're finally obliged 10 90 back 10
work a. az average reduction In their wages
Of Is per cent WhensvsF new designs are
introduced new piece rates are made, and
they are usually lower than the old ones.
Since 1877 timers have been obliged 10
tuTA out a superior quality Of ware. WITH
no increase in price. which has practically
reduced their wages 10 per cent
In 1874 the workiRRmsn Of Trenton
passed these resolutions I'VE. the opera
Uvs potters Of the city Of Trenton. being
convinced BY sIpeTisnes that high rats OF
duty on eroekery ware yields no benefit
financially 70 the woTkingman. and is in
imioal 20 his interest IN increasing ths price
Of living generally, respectfully pstition
your honorabls body (oongfsasl for such a
revision Of the tariff ss will reduce the rates
on erookerJ 10 sreyenus basis A
tariff levied In the name OF protection 70
American industries is false pretsnse snd
dslusion. In lie practical operation ia Ia
a monopoly for ths benefit Of the few az
the expense Of the many"
Since then the reductions in wages keep
lag pace with ths increase IN tarif duties
have justified those resolutions. Whatsvsr
advantage has aocrusd from the tariff has
gone 70 the manufacturer alone. and not 10
ne. Under she Mckinley Law the tariff on
pottery net ornamented 10 % Der cent The
Wilson bill reduces 10 TO 30 per cent. which
IL really reduction Of l2]f per csHi. and
not 20 per cent. 90 ths bosses claim. As
wages have gone down uRdeT high taTin,
nothing verse can come from any other
kina Of a tariff. high or low.
Ne do moi believe that composition with
imported goods compsls q rsduction IN
wages. In this country tho cost Of produc.
tion hss decreased quite 90 rapidly - IN
England, perhaps more rapidly. hAw
materials have fallen in price. Peters
clay, which used 90 cost $50 a ton in Tren-
son. nov costs less than 81 dslivores, and
the price Of lint and spar. the other main
ingredients, has ehsHpsnsd accordingly.
VERY littlt mAshinerY IL used IN making
pottery. but processes and methods have
vsTY materially lessened She cost Of pro
duetion.
May Of our men have worked in Eng
laRd and knew that the proposed scale.
even without she 20 per csRt conditional
reduction, provides for lower wages in
many branches Of work than are paid
there.
The men declare that with every in
crease Of tariff there was a reduction Of
wages, and now with a prospect o.
lower tariff the pottery barons threaten
pauper wages. The moral from the ex-
perience Of the workers 10 New Jersey
potterIes is plain: Protection is solely FOR
the profit Of manufacturers who want
monopoles.
~ nIn pApEn