New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-07
THE GLOVE TARIFF.
A GREAT INDUSTRY OF THIS STATE
THREATENED.
srrr-, ALTON IN JoHNsTowN AND GLovERsvILLE
WAGE FARMERS WILL BE THE SUFFERERS
FROM REDUCED DUTIES

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Ii is estimated by the most conservative
stat.sticlans that Fulton County makes $50 per
cent or two-thirds Of the gloves and mIttens manu-
featured in the United States. Even this estimate
is conceded by high authority too low by 10 per
cent and the actual output of Futon County IL
about - per cent or hrcequarers OF the total pro-
duction On the basis Of these calculations one
can readily understand why the inhabitants or my
district. and more particularly OF Johnstown and
Gloversvl,e show such deep concern In the pro-
posed reduction OF duties collected on. gloves ana
mttens imported into this country.
The claim Of the advocates of the Wilson bill that
the tariff wall is high because manufacturers
having no fear Of foreign competition, combine IN
the form Of trusts and put up prices to such de-
gree that IT not only robs the consumer but fais
to increase the price Of labor, has no proper appil-
cation 70 the glove industry.
The CITY Of G.oversvle and It's friendly rival,
Johnstown have grown under a protective tariff
from insignificant hamlets TO their present size ana
proportion Their growth has kept pace in exact
ratio with the amount Of g.oves they were aiioweh
TO manufacture for their fellow-citzens. | thinH
I can asser, that II by means OF the tariff the I'M
portation Of gloves hal been stopped years ago
prices would not be any higher than they are TO-
day and in place Of the comparative small CITY OF
Ciloversville and the village Of Johnstown theTe
would exist a city in Fulton County rivahinS IN
size that Of Rochester. As an evidence OF tha'
fact. examine the treasury ItpVitH anu so 49,
millions Of dozens Of gloves that are annually I'M
ported into this country II such importatlons
could have been reduced excluded employment
would have been given - additional people here, in
proportion 10 the ratio Of reduced importation; ana
the amount OF money paid in such purchase would
have been reduced In like proportion, whlcn IN the
aggregate amounts 70 a vast sum, While 1t Is
,r,o that the tools required in making a pair Of
gloves are few and simple in number 1t Is also
,r,,e that there are other conditions which prevent
other communities from successfully taking up the
Industry What these conditions are how this pecul-
lar Industry grew up in Futon County, and why
trusts and combinations cannot be formed by
rn,nufactursrs can easily be traced and explained.
The old Colonial village Of Johnstown many years
ago was situated on the extreme edge Of the Adj
rondack forest. and the village of Gloversville
since built three miles TO the north. did not exist
Hunters and trappers. among which were the IA
NOUS Mex Stoner and Nat Foster. made long trips
through the wilderness collecting furs. which they
traded off in the village stores for goods Probably
tho first rude attempt at manufacturing gloves and
nittens was done by some Of these merchants or
early settlers who desired TO utilize those skins
As the county settled and the skins OF Wild AMI
mails became scarce the pelts OF domestic animals
were used In their place. Improved methods nave
summarized the old the business Increased and
the demand became greater. But although these
methods have developed the glove from the orig
inal unslghtly ami rough hand covering to the
dainty glove now worn. It has not decreased the
amount Of hand labor required to manufacture II.
ON the contrary. they have tended 10 Increase II,
and II actually takes more help TO manufacture a
dozen OF gloves at the present time than it did
when the pioneers in the business sewed overland
tho pelts together as they were brought in by the
hunters and crudely dressed. In the Old days the
lid all the work necessary to make
A glove himself. To-day Il is divided into many
different branches-that il. each branch is divided
ushf . 81 q
dressing tanning, preparing skins cutting, laying
or. buttonhole. box and making and sewing
and embroidery.
The attention Of the visitor passing through the
streets OF Goversville Jamestown Is often at |
trac,ed by the buzz Of the sewing machines ssu- |
ng from the many homes OF our people. The |
largest portion however. Of the goods manufactured |
are made within the factory. \ popularity Of the |
business H. that 1t is limited 10 the large fac
tories or to the few OF large capital but is con-
iuctel by many wage-earners. who. after the days
work. make up gloves at their houses on their own
account and In this way year after year en-
lloyes branch out and become successful manufact-
irers The case with which glove shop Is started
makes 1t almost impossible To combine the manu-
acturing Of gloves IN the form Of a trust.
80 other section OF this country has succeeded
Fulton county for the that 1t not only takes
ong years before help can become expert; when
IGN manufacturers. but the cost OF each separate
rticle is thoroughly we'll known and reduced
solatel from the centre Of the Industry to sue
esssfuliy compete with those who reside there
great glove is and naturally turn 10 il when
hey desire to purchase the endless number n'Tis
nSns large collection 'sn Of m Kaen hc
manufacture Of gloves confined TO single district
The senate and House. according to the report
ne average al valorem duty OF 40 per cent. The
present law collects an average al valorein duty
angling a minimum
While It is true that It is necessary for COM
nunity to have all the adjuncts clustered around
successfully to manufacture II Is also true
lumber of inhabitants Of these two towns is regii-
ated by the law OF supply and demand.
lace. the importation OF gloves will increase in
he same ratio and the product Of European labor
abitants OK Fulton County. and they will be
bliged 10 hunt other fields in which TO make their
The possibility Of reduction In the tariff duties
cason that buyers are holding on expecting il
ne Wilson bill goes into effect. TO purchase at
lfe MI their storchouses with made gloves under
le present small demand and because OF the prob
Dor but are obliged to limit their production to to
resent demands: hence not 80 per cent OF the bust
II the tariff in the glove schedule OF the Wilson
ID becomes aT reSncton in the costs Of pro
city az the wage,earncr. who Is brought In direct
,rton as the products Of foreign wage-earners
nd place in American markets
The effect Of the Wilson bill is already very per-
ptible In my home county; II has played great
lvoc there II has turned back the wheels OF in
istry and paralyZed once prosperous business. a
ere apprehension OF the passage OF the Wilson bill
rs already caused heartache to many bread win
'rs I'm Fulton County, who frequently tears In
e eyes OF the dear ones because they are not
pie TO supply as heretofore all OF the necessities
life and all because Professor Wilson has been
canning out theory which is impossible and i'm
ncticable TO apply, at least In the manufacturing
gloves. and AT tho time retain comfort in
e homes OF the working people.
Albany, n. Y, April 26, 1894. PHILIP KECK 9