The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-30
WHAT WILL THE TARIFF DO?

Just how the new tariff will work
out is a question that is uppermost
these days in the minds of many peo-
pie, and especially of those who are
engaged in the wide varieties of bust
nesses that the tariff revisions and
reductions will directly affect. An in
teresting discussion of the question is
contained in the current "Bache Re-
| view" issued by the New York bank
ing house of ]. S. Bache & Co. 1t
follows:
LAS the time draws near for the
new tariffs actual operations there is
more or less thoughtful consideration
as to what effect it will have on the
business of the country. Whatever
may be the ultimate effect in many
manufactures which the new tariff
hits. the six months or so during
which these manufacturers and their
customers have been scaling down
stocks and curtailing output, have
brought many of them to a point
where they are almost out of goods.
Realizing this, orders are at the last
moment being rushed in and factories
are looking forward to months OF
high pressure. One of these. the glass
trade according to the Journal OF
Commerce, was filled with gloomy
predictions a few months ago and is
now most optimistic and quite rear
less of tariff cuts. In this trade, 1t
appears that 40 per cent more glass
was sold by hand factories in July tEls
year than in the same month In 1'Iz.
August business is brisk and the sales
will equal, it is said, if not exceed
those of July. Popular sizes are pe-
coming scarce, and strange to say lne
workers who. it was thought, would
be willing to make some concessions
in view of the effect of the new tarhi'
are now actually talking about hlsher
wages for next year. Prices ABROAD
are still high and on the present OASIS
no glass can be brought into this mar
ket in competition with the Amerl-
can product, at present selling prices
One manufacturer says that before
we need have any fears, even on coast
points, of foreign competition, thelr
prices would have to be greatly re-
duced and it is doubtful if we Will
have competition under any circum-
stances at interior points. inns, IL
must be remembered, is a trade that
a few months ago was predicting to
the members of congress that re-
duction of rates would be absolutely
disastrous Another manufacturer
writes: During the last few days the
most unusual demand for window
glass has developed and it is our be
lief that within the next six or seven
weeks glass held by the hand-oper-
ated plants will be exhausted. The
n los iC NJ
stop because of the change in the tar
iff, and as far as 1913 is concerned,
there is going to be a very large
amount of glass actually used upon
which the tariff will have absolutely
no effect In plate glass similar
condition exists. it is said, and price
advances are being enforced with no.
tees that additional advances may be
expected shortly. This attitude is
taken now when the tariff cuts are
certain and shows the feeling of con-
fidence in the trade, Notwithstanding. |
"Of course, the condition is the re- |
suit of the long period of hesitation !
during which stocks of goods have |
been almost completely exhausted, but |
with a different situation in trade !
a broad. with lessened volume and low |
ct Prices lHeIe, lIlS ole1lC VI - !
it may be, will not be permanent. |
the ingenuity. enterprise |
and ability of American manufacture
ers, even where the gates have been |
partly opened, may be pretty we'll re-
lied upon to work out good results.
In the wooden trade a condition of |
hopefulness exists, combined with
much apprehension. Some lines are
in more direct competition with the
foreign product and these are the
most gloomy. Cheap WOOL however,
will help the whole situation and in
honest protection of the manufacture
ars, the government must safeguard
them against under-valuations, which,
it is said, have been very common,
1ne manufacturer stating that these
nave amounted to 10 per cent. Hav-
ing cut down the bars at the top, !
should diligently defend
American business against any leak
age under the fence, through under
"a luation.
''On the whole, the present situa-
ion, it appears, will not be greatly
affected by the new tariff as long as
conditions abroad and here remain as
hey are. 1t is only in the perhaps
distant future that trouble may de-
7elop."