Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-24
REVISION OF TARIFF
It's Probable Discussion in
Congress Next Month.
CHANGED CONDITIONS
RECENT INCREASE OF WAGES
TO EMPLOYEES
Result of General Understanding
Among Manufactures So as to Pre-
vent Changes in Schedules.

When the revision of the tariff is dis
cussed month hence by Congress it will
probably be under very different conditions
than prevailed two months ago. AT that
time it was being urged very widely that
the wages paid in manufa curing industries
had not been increased as greatly as had
the cost of living, and that the higher
prices secured for products Of all kinds that
were benefited by the tariff were not par
ticipate in by the workmen. This presen-
tation of the case, If sustained, would have
shattered the groundwork of the tariff
theory, so far as it could offer justifica
ton for the conditions prevailing in manu-
featuring sections. In other words. the
condition, it was declared, did not justify
the prevailing rates Of duty by any argu-
ment that wage earners were being bene-
flied
Those who now very thoroughly in
touch with manufacturing interests in New
England declare that the extent to wfIich
manufacturing concerns have increased
wages during the past six weeks is not fully
realized, and that within the next month
| increases for labor from 10 to 20 per cent
will have been made all along the line.
Cause of Wage Increases.
There are men who are well informed in
manufacturing affairs who believe that
these increases are not altogether the nat
ural result of industrial conditions, mere
adjustment of wages in accordance with
the laws of supply and demand. They be-
lieve that the reason for the increases. in
many instances at least, is in anticipation
of the fight to be waged in Congress dur
ing the coming session over tariff revision.
They say that manufacturers who are be-
ing benefited by the tariff realizing that
they are apt to be brought before the COM
irt SNf hn ay,I 1f
resentatives to show cause why the full
amount of the tariff protection they have
been enjoying should not be reduced, are
getting In condition to make a favorable
showing. The increases in wages now be-
ing made are doing much to reinforce their
arguments that the rates of wages in this
country are sufficiently higher than those
abroad to warrant the protection they get
by means of the tariff.
Men who are carefully studying the sub
ject of tariff revision believe that this ac-
ton on the part of manufacturers will be
most influential Congress in determin-
ing what shall be done with the tariff They
are convinced that by this means the man
ufacturers are preparing the strongest ar
guments that possibly be brought for
ward in favor of a retention of the pre-
vailing duties in which they are interested.
Result of General Understanding.
There are numerous reasons that lead
men who are observing the situation to
believe that the increases being granted en-
pioyes in manufacturing districts are the
result of a general understanding and are
not only voluntary, but have not been in
| fEenced by fears of labor troubles, at least
at this time. In most of the firms in which
| these increases have been granted it is said
| that they were not brought about by any
fear of strikes other labor troubles.
There has been widespread comment on
| the claim that has been made by many
| that the cost of living has increased out OF
proportion to the rate of wages, even with
increases that have been made during the
past Two or three years. But there were
no conditions of ferment among men who
have now been aGordeded the higher
| wages to indicate that If they were not
| forthcoming there would be trouble and
| possible strikes and teups.
Each Industry to Stand Alone
In the case of tariff revision every in
| dustrv will stand alone. The argument
| that there may be a reasona-.e reduction
| Of the tariff will probably be up for proof
| in All the schedules. Manufacturers who
| appear in person or by representatives be-
fore the committees of Congress will show
| conditions in their own lines of industry.
They will develop facts showing a com
| parison of wages here and abroad in their
lines of work and will make some compari-
son to show the relation of wages now
PAID with the prices they are getting for
| their products Every increase of wages
| thew concede between the present time and
| the discussion of this question in Congress
Will TO that extent reinforce them in MAX
| ing strong argument