The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1898-10-28
INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
EFFECTS OF THE WILSON AND
DINGLEY LAWS cONTRASTED.


Wages and IL So Per Cent IN Average
Rate of Wages.
The results of the industrial census
just completed by the American Protec-
tive Tariff league are given in the cur
rent issue of The American Economist,
together with the comparisons and an
alysis drawn therefrom by Hon. Robert
w. Taylor, member of congress from
Ohio. In its industrial poll the Tariff
league has taken as the basis of COM
parison the conditions prevailing at APP
proximately equal periods following
the enactment of the tariff laws of 1894
and 1898, the Wilson and Dinley laws
respectfully. For this reason the months
of March, 1895, and March, 1898, were
chosen, the former being seven months
after the Wilson law became effective
in 1894 and the latter eight months
after the passage of the Dingley law.
This basis of comparison is more than
fair to the Wilson law and less than
fair to the Dingley law, as the latter
suffers by reason of the enormous stock
of importations brought to the United
States in anticipation of higher tariff
rates, whereby the demand for articles
of domestic consumption was reduced
far below normal average pending the
consumption of these anticipatory inn
ports. Moreover, the month of March,
1893, was a period of exceptional hest
tation and uncertainty because of the
threatened war with Spain, and for
that reason fell below fair average of
industrial activity. The fact that
March, 1898, was selected as the test
month only serves to emphasize the ex-
traordinary contrasts shown by this in.
dustrial census.
The result of the investigation, says
Congressman Taylor, is startling and
gratifying. 1t covers the entire country
and every kind of production and en-
ployment. The plan adopted for obtain
ing this information Was the same as
that pursued by the Tariff league so
successfully in 1896, when compari-
son was made with 1892. At that time
returns were received from 1888 en-
ployers of labor. III this examination
we have 2,229 returns. In the former
investigation it was found that there
were 80 per cent fewer hands employ
ed. In this inquiry exactly the opposite
appears. 1t need not be said that the
utmost care has been exercised to con-
duct an honest and accurate investiga-
ton.
Returns for 1895 and 1898 were re-
ceived from AZ states and territories
from 2,229 different concerns engaged
in 800 different kinds of production.
The field covered is so wide and the
facts have been so carefully gathered
and consolidated that their meaning can
be easily extracted.
This brief, summarized statement
tells the story most cogently and elo-
quently:
In March, 1895, when the Wilson
tariff law was in full tide of successful
operation, 2,229 establishments employ
ed 204, $50 hands and paid them 81, 079,-
1913. "a in wages.
In March, 1898, the same 2,229 es-
adjustments employed 269, 329 hands
and paid them $40, 1913, 1876. "a.
Every report received by the Tariff
league is incorporated in this statement
1t was found that 81. SO per cent more
hands were employed in March, 1898,
than in March, 1895; that these hands
received A. 05 per cent more wages In
1898 than was paid to those employed
in 1895, and that the average amount
paid each employee was 11.56 per cent
higher.
More work, higher wages. This IL
the slogan of protection. In 1895, where
ten men were at work and received
500 in wages, in 1898 ID were at work
and received $l44 i'll wages. The ten
men not only had three new compan-
ions working beside them, but they
were themselves getting IL per cent
more wages. This is protection exempli-
fed in homely way.
In the 2,229 establishments from
Whlcn reports were received Oh, 14S
more hands were employed In March.
1898, than in March, 1895. Is there no
significance in this? Can it be explain
ed by any other fact or facts than the
change in tariff conditions?
Geographical Distribution OF Prosperity.
So much for the general result of the
investigation. Let us look at it little
more in detail. How does it look geo
graphically?
From Colorado there are reports from
so concerns which employed 4,75S
hands in 1895 and 8, 632 in 1898. The
wages paid IN 1895 were $500, 1851
in 1898. 1913, 1854. Here was an In
crease of 40 per cent in the number Of
hands employed, but each man received
nearly 10 per cent more wages than
those employed in 1895 received.
From Connecticut there are reports
from 7S concerns which employed 49,
$50 hands in March, 1896, and l5,576
in March, 1898. The wages paid in
1895 were $5OS, 956 80; in 1898, $685.
86S.2S We find 16 per cent more hands