New-York tribune., 1898-01-12
tlnplates. some details Of the official report are

tlnDlates. some details or the Olncidi Iepoie "iS
highly interesting.
Colonel Aver finds that the actual production
reached 1877 22S pounds during the last quar-
ter of the fiscal year ending with June, 1871
at the rate Of 55O,000.0O0 pounds yearly VI
fifty firms producing, only one used toreigh-
made plates during part OF one quarter ana
only 81 ,2OS pounds, its. production In that quar-
ter being 2l3,6S7 pounds. OF the total produc-
tion during the fiscal year. which was 1885,
OAR mounds. S65 per cent was lighter than 63
hounds per 100 square feet. The production had
Increased one-third compared with the previous
fiscal year. and was larger by over one-half In
the last quarter than In the first quarter OF the
fiscal year 1897 The quantity actually con-
sumed In this country. both domestic ana 1or-
eign. was 552 2143,534 pounds OF which only
JOS. .161 All pounds, or less than fifth, was OF
foreign production The imports In that nscai
year were 2444 .601 pounds but 1925 l3o
pounds were exported with the benefit OF the
drawback.
Such was the situation In the last fiscal year,
INT the report further states that it was rapidly
changing. and in favor Of American producers.
During the last quarter Of the year, though the
production was so per cent greater than In the
III
OF works by that time completed, which is re-
ported by Colonel Aver as 600O00000 pounds,
or more than the entire domestic consumption
during the year Including the works then In
process Of construction but not completed, the
capacity was G5OO00OO0 pounds. The latest
issue OF ''The Metal Worker" January /, 1898.
shows an increase during the calendar year 1871
from 1856 TO 223 finished hot mills In operation
or ready to operate, with five other plnnts be
ing constructed. having 46 hot mills. IN the
last quarter Of the year alone II more mills
were completed and construction OF IS more
was begun. The present capacity, IT Is stated
and appears from these data, IS fully equal to
the entire demand Of the country In year OF
average prosperity.
In the three fiscal years ending June 30 1891.
this country paid $77,S97, 723 to foreign coun-
tries for tinplatcs imported. But the imports in
the fiscal year 1891 were exceptional being
largely to supply the market after new duties
went into effect and the regular annual con-
sumption in years of prosperity Is more nearly
shown by the imports in the two years 1889
and $780, in which they averaged 1OSO0oVoo
pounds yearly. and the sum paid to foreigners
for the plates averaged S21.014,OOO yearly. This
great sum has been saved TO the country and
employed to develop its own resources and IN
crease the employment and wages Of its own
people through the operation of single clause
In the Mckinley act Of 1890 The averages OF
quantity and cost for the two years 1889 and
1890 show that the cOnDtry was paying about
S3 per 100 pounds for al the tnplates imported.
the poorer classes included. The best quality
of American full-weight Bessemer plates now
coll NJ So O5 nor hox Of los mounds There IS
no Free Trader so stupid as to assert now that
the new industry cannot be established In this
country by Protection. and perhaps the demon
stratlon OF that fact, In such form that every
body can see It. IS to the Nation worth more
than tho S21 100000 a year saved by making
plates instead OF importing them.