The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-24

Our friend VIII note that there are no
figures given for 1891, this being table
showing the production since the tin
plate tariff went into operation and be-
fore which time there was no tin plate
Industry in the United States. For two
of the years quoted the production was
under the Wilson BILL the rate of in
crease, however, not being as great as in
the three first years. though the volume
OF production shows that great indus
try is growing upon the foundation laid
in 1892, being the first year after the
tarlff became operative. The Register
will also note the big increase of the fine
tin plate over terne plate from the very
beginning.
It may also be said that this is the
same table from which the Register
must get its figures of production for thu
manufacture since the Wilson bill pass
ed. II correct in those years why not In
the previous years2 When the Wilson
bill was pending the tin plate manufae-
turers appeared at the hearings accord
ed by the ways and means committee
and protested against a reduction of the
duty. and asked that the Mckinley
schedule stand intact. II, as the Regis
ter decvlares, the plates were not being
produced at profit, why did the manu-
facturers do this?
Tho Intelligencer has the official
stenographic record of these hearings,
but limited space forbids quotations
from them at this time. All the manu-.
facurers united In saying that their In
dustry had grown up under the workings
OF the Mckinley duty and that It had no
existence before that enactment. The
record of the hearing forms very inter
esting history Of the industry, and the
Register could not publish anything
more instructive on this subject than
this chapter from the official report. A
single extract from lengthy statement
made by Mr.. Cronmeyer, of Philadel-
phla, before the Wilson committee, an
swers our neighbours statement that the
industry did not exist prontably before
the Wilson bill Mr.. Cronmeyer in open
ing his statement, which Is filled with
proofs of what had been accomplished
up to that time. September H. 1893,
year before the passage of the Wilson
bill, said:
when in former years, appeared be-
fore this committee to plead for Amerl-
can tin plate interests had to make the
statement that represented an industry
which do not exist In the United States.
To-day am happy to say that repre-
sent an industry which does exist. and
although II ls yet very young (Only about
two years old II IL up to the present time
a very healthy infant which has grown
vigorously under the most adverse cir
cumgtunccs don't believe that any
other industry, II ever 10 well protected,
has been established 40 rapidly. aud that
In spite OF It's being called into life nj n
time ~ ecrious depression caused by
financial collap3es In South America and
England, and which had their reflex In
this country, but the full force N which
was happily nVeripd because Just nt the
time a tarir bill was passed by our Con-
grcBs which filled our industries with
new hope and our financial Institutions
with ncw confidence IN the future Of our
industries The tin plato Industry has
grown In spite Of a bill lthe hunting hllD
having passed the huuHc Of representa-
tlycs ana hanging over our heads Ike
...N.N a. a