Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-07
LEADING THE WORLD.
Foreign use of American Labor
snviug Machinery.

Philadelphia Record.
The American Machlnist. a representative
paper in the business which It exploits, dis
patched one OF its editors 20 England espe-
clally to investigate the subject OF impor-
tations into that country and the continent
Of Europe OF American machine tools. The
first installment of his report appeared on
May 90. Both of these long letters contain
much Information; and we refer those of our
readers who are especially interested in the
subject thereto. We prefer not to spoil the
meat Of the articles by cutting of small
pieces.
The Iron Trade Review OF May 90 has an
editorial on Machinery Exports" which
quotes a Cleveland manufacturer as stating
that American automatic machinery has been
extensively purchased in France, but that the
workmen are incompetent to use 1t properly;
and this is q serious difficulty which Ameri-
can labor-saving tools have to encounter
abroad. The foreign mechanic lacks the in
telligence required to operate these ma
chimes; and this incidentally furnishes an
answer to the sometimes made by
philanthropists and theorists that automatic
machinery is detrimental to the intellectual
advancement OF the mechanic.
During the Columbian exposition a party
Of distinguished foreigners visited a large
| machine shop in this city. One gentleman
was a manager of an important gun manu-
featuring establishment abroad. Presently
he pointed to a certain automatic machine,
anu Sulbs Nh wv h''N 49, w FN'A
house. Very good tools" The machine
was then put into operation, and soon this
gentleman displayed a lively interest and
great establishment at its performance.
All" said he, ait is not the same. This
one does all the work itself. How long
since this wonderful improvement was in
vented?' On further examination ii was
found that his machines were precisely Of
the same design, but certain attachments
sent with them, and fully explained in the
circulars, which made them automatic and
added tenfold to their daily value. had never
been employed in the foreign shops, because
the workmen did not understand how to use
the Yankee gimcracksl Yet the foreman
thought they were very good.
\ recent issue of the National Industrial
Review contained an article, headed Amer
lean Machinery Abroad" written by a tray
clor who had spent three months in going
through the mechanical establishments of
England and the continent, who reports that
he carried samDles to show OF some light
machinery, and in two weeks he took 500, 00O
worth of orders. He says: In England
| found the manufacturers ripe and ready
for American machinery"
The United States consul at Client. Bel
GUM Oh. p. Morris). states in his latest re-
port that American labor-saving machinery
is taking the lead in all branches of indus
try in that country, in spite of the fact that
arrangements for exhibiting and selling in
competition with English. German. French
and other manufactures is sadly inadequate.
He makes the practical suggestion that a
European distributing center for American
machinery should be established, and says
that a neutral ground should be selected. en-
which French, German and other nation
alities could meet without any feeling of
jealousy. For such reason he selects Brus-
sells as the most suitable location.
These references to the recent articles an
pearing in trade journals will suffice to show
the drift of opinion in the best Informed cir
Giles toward the views which the Record has
long been advocating in the interest of
American manufactures. We are convinced
that those who are unable to adapt their
methods to the changed conditions of bust
ness Will gradually fall behind in the race
as. indeed. we regret to say, has already
happened with some Of our oldest establish
ments.