The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-11
TARIFF LEAGUES INDUSTRIAL
CENSUS.


The statistics OF industry and labor
tabulated from the Industrial census
just completed by the American Pro-
tective Tariff League, and the accom-
panying comparisons and comments by
Congressman Robert w. Tayler Of Ohio,
which appears in the current issue Of
the American Economist, wilf not fail
TO attract universal attention or to ex-
cite profound interest wherever read
and digestsd. The process OF reading
and digestion is greatly facilitated by
the clear and luminous manner In
which Mr.. Tayier has presented his
facts and conclusions.
No Industrial cencus of equal accu-
racy and scope has ever been obtained
outside OF Governmental operations.
Returns are received from 1929 indus
trial establishments in forty-seven
States and Territories. embracing al
most every known line OF Industrial ac-
tivity. Two years ago the Leagues CEN
sus contained the figures OF but little
more than half the number OF estab-
llshments which have reported this
year. In 1896 the comparison embodied
the conditions prevailing in that year
under the Wilson law, and those pre-
yailing in 1872 under the Mckinley law.
The showing then was one OF tremen-
dous shrinkage and depression. In the
lass establishments reporting there was
monthly loss of wages of s1.601. .2O4 or
at the rate OF s19.2l4.44S year: de-
crease OF nearly 80 per cent. in the en-
ployment Of labor, and decrease Of 26Is
per cent. in wages paid.
Now mark the contrast In 1898 the
222s establishments reporting show
wonderful revival from the paralysis
which fell upon them as the result of
hostile tariff legislation. These reports
give Information as TO the number OF
hands employed ana the gross sum of
wages paid in March. 1895. and in March.
7S9S, the object of the inquiry being to
bring into juxtaposition the conditions
prevailing at an approximately equal
length OF time after the enactment OF
the tariff laws Of August 2s. 1894. and
July "a. 1ss7--the Wilson and Dingley
laws respectively.
1t is found that in March. 1895. seven
months after the Wilson law became
effectiye,the 222s establishments report
ing. In response to the Tariff Leagues
inquiries employed 2o4,5So hands. and
paid these hands in wages s7.o7s.s2s.
In March. 1898. after eight months Of
steady revival under the Dingley law,
these same 222s establishments en-
ployed $50. s.s29 hands, and paid them in
wages $40, 1876.
Gain for lsss. under the Dingley law.
IN hands employed. over 81 per cent.
Gain for 1s9s.under the DIngley law,
In wages paid. over a per cent.
Gain for 1895, under the DingIey law,
in average Of wages paid per capita.
over II per cent.
Taking the month Of March as
fairly representative month in the mat
ter Of Industrial activity. Congressman
T6yIer finds that at the same rate Of
gain throughout the year the 222s es-
adjustments reporting will employ a.
300 more men than were employed in
the year which embraced the returns
Of 1885, and win pay out wages exceed
ing by more than ss7.ooo,oco the sum
paid during the Wilson law period
named
The isures OF the Tarir Leagues In
1ostriai census tally 30 closely In per-
oentaes with figures obtained by par