The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-25

LIE almost unanimous REFUSAL or the
workmen in the Elwood tin mills to accept
a reduction of from to 25 per cent. of the
present wage scale while making 100000
boxes Of plates to be made into boxes for
the export of the Standard Oil Companys
goods is a matter Of no little general in
terest. On tin plates and other materials
imported for the purpose Of making re-
ceptacles for merchandise to be exported
% per cent. Of the duty imposed is refunded
when the materials shall have been used
for the purpose designated. The Standard
Oil Company ships much of it's oil in tin
boxes, in making which an immense
quantity Of tin plate is used. To make the
plates necessary two or three months of
time is needed. and doubtless mills now idle
could be put in operation. The tin-plats
worker in the United States since the rate
has been revised receives nearly double the
wages paid the tin-plate maker in Wales.
Wages is so large a factor in the manu-
facture OF tin plates that the American pro-
Queer cannot make the plates for the Brit
ish price and pay the same wages he now
does. There are those who insist that the
American worker can do so much more
in the same time that he is worth double
the wages. In some lines of industry, with
the latest machinery, the American piece
worker accomplishes more in a given time
than his European competitor Being gem
orally better nourished man than his for
eign competitor. he is able to accomplish
more
The American tin-plate manufacturer
were offered the making Of 100000 boxes of
plates provided they would make them at
the British price. The manufacturers
would like to have taken the contract. but.
paying employees double the European
wages paid by competitors. they could not
do so on such terms unless the men would
agree to take from to % per cent. less
wages. Being under a contract TO pay a
given price for year to their employees
the manufacturers could not cut the wages
to the price. Such being the case. the de-
cision was left to a vote of the employees
After discussion and time for consideration
the men almost unanimously voted not to
accept the reduced wages even if the work
should keep the mills running the entire
season.
There are those who will doubt the wis
dom of the decision, but they are not look
ing at the matter from the view point of
the man who is asked TO consent to take %
per cent less wages. To him p per cent.
less wages means cut in his expenses of
% per cent. 1t means a poorer house in
which to live. poorer clothing, cheaper food
and less money for luxuries to save.
He reasons that if it is found that he can
get along on Is per cent. less wages while
making an order at British prices it will be
assumed that he can live all the time on
wages reduced one-fourth. He does not
propose to take such a risk. and the tin
plate worker is right.
But If those who are demanding the re-
| duction of duties to a free-trade basis can
have their way the duty on tin plate will
| be reduced to a fraction of the present
| duty. IL the free-traders are honest they
would put tin plates on the free list. In
that event the American tin-plate maker
| will not be consulted about a reduction OF
his wages % or 80 per cent. The American
mills must make plates as cheaply as those
/ in Great Britain go out of the business
! The American tin-pate maker will thus b,
/ forced to accept the price paid in the Welsh
/ plate factories. Protest will be of no use
When the free-traders are talking of abol
ishing the protective system it is we'll fol
all wage earners affected by the tariff t
consider the bearing of the action of th'
xvorLare in, T7Ivvood