The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-24
ON AMERICAN TIN PLATE
British Consular Ohicsr Makes . Report to
His Government.


Washington, Sept. 23.-Mr. Hugh
O'Biern, second secretary Of the British
embassy here, has made a special report
70 the British foreign office on the Amer
lean tin plate industry, and il has been
issued from the foreign office as an o.
fetal document. According 10 the re-
port the United States tin plate indus
try dates practically from the passage OF
the Mckinley tariff act. before which the
American marke. was wholly supplied
by South Wales. Mr.. O'Beirp traces the
gradual expansion OF the industry in
this country and the use Of tine domes-
tic article In place Of that formerly i'm
ported from Wales. Summing the situa-
ton up for the last calendar year, he
says:
The position Of the British expor;
trade may thus be summed up: The in
terror market was, as whole, lost to
British exporters, but The meat packers
continued 70 use a certain number Of
drawback plates. and there was still
a limited consumption Of British plates
fer certain special purposes.
The Atlantic coast still offered
very large market for drawback plates
and a much reduced one for plates not
intended to be re-exported, and the gulf
coast took a moderate number Of Welsh
plates for local consumption.
"Tne only section Of the market that
was still wholly supplied by South Wales
was the Pacific coast. Taking the Pa
cific coast import ct "a 100000 pounds:
S-
and that Of drawback plates al 13O,0oss-
200 pounds, there remains an import Of
50, DEC. 900 pounds OF last year for con-
sumption in the United States"
According to Mr.. O'Beirn's calcu-
lation, it is estimated that British plates
can be landed approximately:
At points on TIE Atlantic coast for
$3.50, or 2S cents Us 2D above the price
of American plates there.
At Pacific ports for 1884 or % IA cents
did below the price OF American plates
there.
At Chicago for s3.sS, or over 80 cents
tin plates there.
AT New Orleans for 1881, or 16 cents
CSd) above the price Of Indiana plates
there.
Under existing rates Of duty. there
fore" the report proceeds, land at pres
ent prices. the only section of the Amer
lean market in which British plates Of
ordinary grades exclusive of draw
back plates can continue in the long
run 10 compete Is the Pacific coast mar
ket. representing an annual consumption
Of about so. oC0, 900 pounds. In other por-
tons Of the United States the only inn
portations that can be expected is Of a
limited number of special brand suited
for special purposes. And this limited
importation can only last so long as the
demand IL not of sufficient Importance
20 induce native manufacturers TO make
the necessary arrangements for pro-
ducing the special qualities of tin plate.
which they are undoubtedly able TO do"
Mr.. O'Beirn points out that the Amer
lean tin plate industry is wholly depend
ent for its raw material on foreign inn
as no tin mas been produced
for the last four years from any OF the
deposits of tin in the United States.
at is true the British tin is not quite |
SO bright" ne says, but ii is far more
durable; has more substantial body; IS /
more evenly rolled; does not aggravate |
the t:n-working machines on account OF
it's smooth body. and does not rust 50 |
quickly. For thinning purposes the |
American product is as good as the Brit !
ism but the latter IS preferable al equal |
prices. American tin plate is brighter in |
color. bu. il has not that working body, |
as a rule; the coating is not 50 evenly !
run. AMI does not make up "a even ard |
smooth as the British article"
The staement is made also that Italian |
tin manufacturers have been making in !
quirias in the west and that Italian tin |
may before long figure in the American |