The Meeker herald., 1896-09-12
copyrighted 1896 by Chicago Press
Bureau)
THIRD LETTER.

that may fully investigate Its in
dustries.
The largest manufacturing plant in
Northern Mexico Is that Of The Indus
trial Comnany of chihuahua. The
principal owner is Mr.. Enrique Creel.
the banker, whose very instructive in
terview l recorded in my previous let
ter Mr.. f. c. Creel, his brother, Is the
superintendent. The works were es-
tablished by the erection of a small
foundry and machine shop. and en-
ployed of a capital of $4,000. Later
the capital was increased, and the pro-
fits have been allowed to accumulate
until now the company has q capital ot
showed me through the works in which
he takes a pardonable pride. He in
formed me their employees are chiefly
natives. to whom they pay the same
wages for the same work az to for
etgners, and the scale OF wages now
employed was molders, $500 to $500;
machinists. $500 to $500 per day of 10
hours.
In the rolling mill the employees from
foreman to iron handlers average $500
per day Of IL hours per shift. Six
months ago they employed twenty for
eigners mostly Americans. Now they
employ but three, as they ind that the
Mexicans turn out more work, because
they will bear rushing. which the
Americans would not. Mr.. Creel said
he preferred the Mexicans because they
did not understand the art Of combin-
ing and coArcIn0 their ou,pIoyarv ~,
did the Americans.
The weekly payroll Of the Industri-
al Co. amounts to 5000. The product
covers merchant bar iron, castings for
stoves, architectural work, castings for
smelters and mines, and general mach
Inc work. The work is of inferior nm
fsh. tnartistic In design, and lacking
that attractive style our Americans
produce; but 1t may satisfy their trade.
The thought presented to my mind
was. with the competition OF an Ameri-
can plant. under the direction of one
who was thoroughly conversant with
the business. 1t would be necessary to
turn out better work or lose the trade.
believe there is grand opening at
Mexico City. the commercial metro
polls. for a plant Of equal magnitude,
to be operated by American capital,
and directed by American skill.
MIR. Creel told me that last spring a
large contract was awarded in Mexico
City, to which foreign manufacturers
wer1 invited ana were present, Uut that
the Industrial Works secured the en-
tire order amounting to upwards of
&250.000 This was made possible by
the high rate Of exchange which has
proved Of inestimable benefit to Mexican
and shut all manufacturers
out that operate in gold standard coun-
tries.
AS look into this question can
come to NO other conclusion that that
our manufacturers have not studied
this monetary question from the stand
point Of self-interest. That they do
not realize that through its operation
the silver-using nations are establish
Ing new industries, covering every i'm
portant branch in those countries
where we have long monopolized their
valuable trade, and that new indus
tries are being planted upon such a
solid foundation they can never be dis
lodged. Look at Japan. Never did a
country develop their resources more
rapidly, and never were our industries
80 seriously threatened in our home
markets. as by that nation operating
upon silver basis with their abun-
dant cheap labor. Should we remain
on gold basis and double our present
tarih (barring transportation they
would yet have an equal chance In our
markets. Restore unlimited coinage of
silver, and we at once place them on
level with our manufacturers II there
was no tariff. Then by continuing the
tarih of today, or increase 1t II you
please. we shall efYectually shut them
out of our markets. II the committee
that is now In South America looking
for new avenues of trade will take up.
the monetary question and study 1t
from non-partisan standpoint, they
will reach the conclusion that they can
accomplish more by returning and ac-
quainting their brethren Of the true
cause Of the present paralysis.a6 their
business, than can possibly be ACCOM-
plished by advertising their wares In
countries operating on silver basis.
II this statement Is doubted let them
send a committee to Mexico, where our
manufacturers few years ago sold
this republic very large part Of the
goods 1t consumed. Then We annually
held balance Of trade against this
nation of some sl6 900 900. which has
been gradually reduced until in 1894
there was balance against
us Of over FL OOO NM, I1ndar
these conditions Is It surprising
that upwards Of. $3.50. 0.000. 900 Of
foreign gold has found more profitable
investment here. than at home! But
let US not soliloquize. prefer to give
statements as gather them from
gentlemen in the various walks Of life,
and especially manufacturers; for re-
call how At home we have over 8.000.-
600 idle workmen denied the right to
earn bread by the sweat Of the face
because their employer. cannot hnd
rale for their wares. .'s.
th~ s~ni1tw~ rutN~ A,rwA a.