The daily sentinel., 1909-05-05
SOME TARIFF PROBLEMS
NOW BEFORE CONGRESS-
rsnacial to The sentinel.l

! Washington, May o-Tii ~ -,
of living increased 41.4 per cen. w.
ing the 10 years of the Dinsies nov,
iff fbetween 1896 and 19UD, nov
rn,,cb more will 1t cost the averase
| family 10 live under the tarin Diii
!. now before congress? ~ ;.h-
This is a problem in tarln arlth-
metic for the public to think over
while congress is preparing 10 pass
the PAYNE bill with few minor
changes. nv
The Payne bill, after revision py
| the senate finance committee IS au-
mittedly an advance in rates over ene
Dingley or present tarin law, Jus, us
| how much of an advance not even
| the republicans know for certain
~ The increase over present rates
is estimated all the way from LA 10
| 40 per cent The exact increase can
not be known until the last admihis-
trative feature of the bill has been
Incorporated, which probably VIII be
in the few minutes just preceding
the passage of the measure.
To understand what the real mean
ing of an increase of tariff rates over
the DingIey law is to the consumer
the record of the effect of the Ding
lev tariff is interesting.
Dun's commercial agency has for
wears kent careful track OF prices OF
the commodities which are of general
daily consumption. The cost of nv
ing increased 47.4 per cent during
the o years of the Dingley tariff pre-
ceding 1907. What could be bought
for S72.4 10 in July. 1897. cost $lOo.l9
in June, 1906. The rise was steady
and gradual
While wages during the same per-
iod increased nominally Is per cent.
the cost of living increased 29.4 per
cent in advance of wages.
The statistical abstract of the
United States shows the effect of the
Dingley law on various commodities
In reading each of the following COM
parisons it should be borne in mind
that the present tariff bill materially
increases the Dingley tariff:
Breadstuffs costing $10.50 in 1896
cost $1S.16 in 1907.
Meats costing sos in 1896 cost
1854 in 1907.
Dairy and garden food costing
$7S7 in 1896 cost $f4.46 in 1907.
Other food costing $3.50 in 1896
cost S9.S2 in 1907
Clothing costing 1880 in 1896
cost S20.10 in 1907.
Metals costing s13.23 in 1896 cost
$17.52 in 1907.
Miscellaneous items costing s13.52
in 1896 cost $19.24 in 1907.
''The increase of the cost of wear
ing apparel and foodstuffs under the
Dingley tariff was gradual and
steady" said Hon. James M. Graham
of Illinois, in a master tariff speech
in the house. Figures speak elo-
quently of the absolutely scientific
manner in which the workingmans
wages are reduced in fact, although
the unions have been able to obtain a
slight nominal increase. They give
the laborer Is cents with one hand
and take AZ cents from him with the
other"
The condition of labor at the end
of ten years operation of the DingIey
tariff was shown at meeting of the
prominent labor men of the country
at the Office of Oscar S. Straus, for
mer secretary of commerce and labor.
on February 10, 1909.
Samuel Gompers, on behalf of the
American Federation of Labor, re-
ported that he had sent out circular
letters to the executive officers of the
International trade unions in Decem-
Der, 1908, and from the replies gath
cred the following information:
Blacksmiths, 80 per cent unem-
ployed, those employed averaging
ABOUT days week: carpenters, 40
per cent unemployed; cigar makers,
10 per cent unemployed: commercial
telegraphers, 80 per cent unem-
ployed; freight handlers. 80 per cent
unemployed; hod carriers and build
ing laborers. 60 per cent unem-
pioyed; butcher workmen, 40 per
cent unemployed; tobacco workers.
WORKING on two-thirds time; iron
moiders. 40 per cent unemployed.
Mr. Gompers: am sure it is not
an exaggeration to say that there 80
now in our country, and have been
with very little variation since Dc
toDer. 1907. nearly million wage
earners unemployed.
Secretary Straus: Do you mean
that before that period those 2 mill
ioi, wage-earners We're employed?
Mr.. Gompers: | do, sir.