Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-26

Had the manufacturers been able to
save the tariff tax at $1,000. 5000 on
materials, this amount would have
been paid out in wages and the goods
still been produced at the same cost
would have been possible to raise
wages by 50 per cent and not make
the goods cost more than now.
The greatest industry in Massachu-
sets is the manufacture of boots and
shoes. Six hundred and forty-five es-
Establishments in this industry reported
an output of S159,247. 529 for 1903, the
value of the stock used being $780,
300.514. Careful estimates place the
tariff tax on the various supplies and
materials used at $9.90O.000. On sole
Heather alone il is estimated $2,25O.000.
10 per cent of the value of the leather
used, was paid out. And this in the
face of the fact that both sole and
upper leather is sold by the beef trust
to manufacturers in Europe at prices
much below those eXaCted from Ameri-
can manufacturers.
The present democratic candidate
for governor of Massachusetts,. who is
making his fight on the tariff issue
entirely, and who is himself a
large manufacturer of boots and shoes
in the following manner exploited the
fallacy that high protection is neces-
sary in order to pay labor more than is
paid abroad:
Let Both Hides and Shoes BE Free.
Speaking for myself. would gladly
give up the duty of % per cent on
shoes to obtain free raw materials.
Yes, even to obtain free hides and free
sole leather. If the handicap of taxed
leather were removed, | could produce
shoes at as low cost as could any
manufacturer in any foreign country
and meet the competition of the world.
Cheap labor is not cheap. II is dear
when effectiveness is considered. Our
Massachusetts methods of manufacture
ing and the economical division of la
Dor enables us to produce shoes at as
low labor cost, quality considered, as
anywhere in the world. 1t is the high
cost of materials that bars us from the
fullest possible participation in foreign
markets.
But | aIn not alone in these views.
Early in 1903. 81 out of 375 import
ant manufacturers of boots and shoes
in New England declared in favor of
giving up tee duty on shoes if hides
were made free. Many of our very
largest manufacturers have frequently
and publicly denounced the duty on
hides and proclaimed their willing
ness to part with the duty on shoes"
Cost of Living Ascending Constantly.
1t is estimated by careful investiga-
tors that the cost of living has increas-
ed about II per cent in Boston within
the last year. Coal, for which the trust
exacted $3.50 a ton last year. costs
1915 this. Meat which cost IS cents a
pound, costs % cents now. Flour sells
for $500. while it brought only Sc at
this time last year. These are the
typical figures. They represent the
whole situation. Even the report of
the Massachusetts bureau of Stats
tics of labor does not maintain that
the average wages have increased as
much
On the other hand. this bureau has
recently Issued a report entitled THE
Causes of High Prices" in which it
is acknowledged that the cost of living
has increased enormously. This re-
port, however, devotes the most OF it's
attention TO publishing explanations
given by representatives Of different
industries as 10 the causes of these in
.creases in the prices Of the necessaries
of life.
Six hundred and sixty-fOur inquiries
were mailed 70 business men selected
at random. The replies numbered 151,
or 22-74 per cent of the whole number
sent out. 1t is interesting TO note that