"Prices of steamers of various sizes similar to those at present employed in the Atlantic passenger trade.1st,2,000gross tons,speed on trial,13knots,cost£44,0002d,3,000""13¾""62,0003d,4,000""14¾""96,0004th,5,000""16""147,500The whole of these prices include the builders' profit, which has been put down at the usual one we expect for our work.I enclose rates of payment our men get while employed on time, but our boiler-platers work almost wholly by the piece. Also rates paid to men in the ship-yard while on time, but this system of payment has been almost entirely abandoned there in favor of piece work, which you may safely say reduces the cost of labor from ten to twenty per cent., as compared with time work. However, for such of them as are employed on time, the rates I give you are correct.In the foregoing prices of ships I have given you, you may say that 27½ per cent. of the total cost at present price of materials may be put down against labor, but of course this will vary as the prices of materials vary.Rates of wages paid on Clyde to men employed in the manufacture of iron ships—apprentices excluded:d.Carpenters7Joiners7¼Blacksmiths6½Platers6½Rivetters5¾Laborers3¾Angle iron-smiths6¼Riggers6¾Hammer-men4¼Holders up4¼Rates of wages paid on Clyde to men employed in the manufacture of marine engines and boilers—apprentices excluded:d.Smiters6.6Strikers or hammer-men4.23Angle iron-smiths6.5Boiler platers7.07Rivetters and caulkers6.23Holders up4.7Iron turners6.47Iron finishers6.10Engine fitters and erectors6.16Planing machinists5.64Shaping5.17Slotting5.3Drilling4.9Pattern-Makers7.53Carpenters7Joiners5.5Engine-drivers4.55Ordinary laborers4N. B.—The above are the average rates of each class of men as detailed, and the rates given are the amount paid in pence and in fractions or decimals of pence per hour. Fifty-one hours constitute a working week. Boiler-platers work mostly by the piece, but the rates given are those paid when they are on time.January, 1878."
"Prices of steamers of various sizes similar to those at present employed in the Atlantic passenger trade.
1st,2,000gross tons,speed on trial,13knots,cost£44,0002d,3,000""13¾""62,0003d,4,000""14¾""96,0004th,5,000""16""147,500
The whole of these prices include the builders' profit, which has been put down at the usual one we expect for our work.
I enclose rates of payment our men get while employed on time, but our boiler-platers work almost wholly by the piece. Also rates paid to men in the ship-yard while on time, but this system of payment has been almost entirely abandoned there in favor of piece work, which you may safely say reduces the cost of labor from ten to twenty per cent., as compared with time work. However, for such of them as are employed on time, the rates I give you are correct.
In the foregoing prices of ships I have given you, you may say that 27½ per cent. of the total cost at present price of materials may be put down against labor, but of course this will vary as the prices of materials vary.
Rates of wages paid on Clyde to men employed in the manufacture of iron ships—apprentices excluded:
d.Carpenters7Joiners7¼Blacksmiths6½Platers6½Rivetters5¾Laborers3¾Angle iron-smiths6¼Riggers6¾Hammer-men4¼Holders up4¼
Rates of wages paid on Clyde to men employed in the manufacture of marine engines and boilers—apprentices excluded:
d.Smiters6.6Strikers or hammer-men4.23Angle iron-smiths6.5Boiler platers7.07Rivetters and caulkers6.23Holders up4.7Iron turners6.47Iron finishers6.10Engine fitters and erectors6.16Planing machinists5.64Shaping5.17Slotting5.3Drilling4.9Pattern-Makers7.53Carpenters7Joiners5.5Engine-drivers4.55Ordinary laborers4
N. B.—The above are the average rates of each class of men as detailed, and the rates given are the amount paid in pence and in fractions or decimals of pence per hour. Fifty-one hours constitute a working week. Boiler-platers work mostly by the piece, but the rates given are those paid when they are on time.
January, 1878."
I have endeavored in vain to procure from Mr. Roach his corresponding prices of steamships and labor rates. The nearest approach to the latter has been obtained from the Secretary of the New York Free Trade Club, who has handed me a note under date of February 7th, from a well known iron ship and engine building firm of New York. They enclose their tariff of wages with those remarks:
"In regard to shipyards, you know there is no such thing around New York any more, but I give you such rates as we are now paying. We are building three small iron steamers at present."In regard to rates of wages, compared with Wilmington and Chester, they are about 8 to 10 per cent. under us."Rates of Wages in Shipyard.Carpenters$2 50 @ $2 75Joiners2 50 @ 3 00Blacksmiths2 10 @ 2 75Platers2 25 @ 2 75Rivetters2 10 @ 2 50Angle iron-smiths2 00 @ 2 20Hammer-men2 00 @ 2 25Holders up1 60 @ 1 75Riggers2 00 @ 2 50Laborers1 40 @ 1 50Engine and Boiler Works.Carpenters$2 50 @ $2 75Joiners3 00Hammer men2 00 @ 2 25Smiters1 50Angle iron smiths2 00 @ 2 25Boiler platers2 25 @ 2 75Rivetters and caulkers2 10 @ 2 50Holders up1 60 @ 1 75Iron turners2 25 @ 2 75Iron finishers2 50 @ 3 00Engine fitters and erectors2 50 @ 3 00Planing machinists2 25 @ 2 75Shaping machinists2 25 @ 2 75Slotting machinists2 25 @ 2 75Pattern makers2 75 @ 3 25Engine drivers2 25 @ 2 75Laborers1 40 @ 1 50
"In regard to shipyards, you know there is no such thing around New York any more, but I give you such rates as we are now paying. We are building three small iron steamers at present.
"In regard to rates of wages, compared with Wilmington and Chester, they are about 8 to 10 per cent. under us."
Carpenters$2 50 @ $2 75Joiners2 50 @ 3 00Blacksmiths2 10 @ 2 75Platers2 25 @ 2 75Rivetters2 10 @ 2 50Angle iron-smiths2 00 @ 2 20Hammer-men2 00 @ 2 25Holders up1 60 @ 1 75Riggers2 00 @ 2 50Laborers1 40 @ 1 50
Carpenters$2 50 @ $2 75Joiners3 00Hammer men2 00 @ 2 25Smiters1 50Angle iron smiths2 00 @ 2 25Boiler platers2 25 @ 2 75Rivetters and caulkers2 10 @ 2 50Holders up1 60 @ 1 75Iron turners2 25 @ 2 75Iron finishers2 50 @ 3 00Engine fitters and erectors2 50 @ 3 00Planing machinists2 25 @ 2 75Shaping machinists2 25 @ 2 75Slotting machinists2 25 @ 2 75Pattern makers2 75 @ 3 25Engine drivers2 25 @ 2 75Laborers1 40 @ 1 50
Having quoted both these lists, their data will now be arranged in a tabular form, so that the difference in the cost of labor employed on the Clyde and on the Delaware will be at once apparent. For this purpose, the Scotch prices are reduced to American money, one pound sterling being represented by five dollars currency, and the hourly pay multiplied by ten, to make a day's work.
An average is made of the wages paid in New York, and 10 per cent., the largest allowance mentioned by the New Yorkfirm, is deducted from the average prices paid by them, resulting in the rates upon the Delaware.
Labor on the Clyde.Labor on the Delaware.Carpenters,per day,10 hours,$1 40$2 36Joiners,""1 452 48Blacksmiths,""1 302 18Platers,""1 302 25Rivetters,""1 152 07Laborers,""751 31Angle iron-smiths,""1 251 89Riggers,""1 352 03Hammer-men""851 91Holders up""851 51
Labor on the Clyde.Labor on the Delaware.Smiters,per day,10 hours,$1 32$1 35Hammer-men,""851 91Angle iron-smiths,""1 301 91Boiler-platers,""1 412 25Riveters and caulkers,""1 252 07Holders up,""941 51Iron turners,""1 292 25Iron Finishers,""1 202 48Engine fitters and erectors,""1 232 47Planing machinists,""1 132 25Shaping machinists,""1 032 25Slotting machinists,""1 062 25Pattern makers,""1 512 70Carpenters,""1 402 36Joiners,""1 102 70Engine drivers,""912 25Laborers,""801 31
There are two horns to the dilemma, either of which Mr. Roach may lay hold of, but he cannot swing on a pivot between them. If he accepts these figures, or anything approaching them,—and the fact that the ocean is covered by foreign built ships to the exclusion of his own is proof of their correctness,—he may go on asking for a bounty on every ton he builds equivalent to the difference in cost. Will he get it? No!
If, on the contrary, he chooses to repeat his assertion that his ships cost less than those built in Scotland, what inference is naturally drawn? Simply, that his ships are too cheap to be good.
Whatever position he may take, Section 21st of the new Tariff Bill meets every just demand of the ship owner whose rights have never been considered at all, and of the ship builder who has always been a mendicant in the lobby at Washington.
"All materials for the construction, equipment or repair of vessels of the United States may be imported in bond, and withdrawn therefrom under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury; and upon proof that such materials have been used for such purpose no duties shall be paid thereon. And all vessels owned wholly by citizens of the United States shall be entitled to registry, enrollment and license, or license, and to all the benefits and privileges of vessels of the United States; and all laws, or parts of laws, conflicting with the provisions of this section shall be, and the same are hereby, repealed."
"All materials for the construction, equipment or repair of vessels of the United States may be imported in bond, and withdrawn therefrom under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury; and upon proof that such materials have been used for such purpose no duties shall be paid thereon. And all vessels owned wholly by citizens of the United States shall be entitled to registry, enrollment and license, or license, and to all the benefits and privileges of vessels of the United States; and all laws, or parts of laws, conflicting with the provisions of this section shall be, and the same are hereby, repealed."
This is all the privilege that ship owners demand, and with the favoritism over all other mechanics shown to shipbuilders, how can they complain? Even now, Mr. Roach saysthat he "can build steamships cheaper and better than they can be built on the Clyde." What will he not be able to accomplish with the provisions of this bill! His angle iron and his plates, his rivets and his brass work, his copper, his wire rigging, his sails, his paints, his cabin upholstery, mirrors, and everything appertaining to the completeness of his equipment—a great part of which would cost him vastly more at home—anything and all that he requires may be imported, duty free! Happy Mr. Roach! Why need he fear the effect of the clause in favor of ship owners? Who will avail themselves of it? But alas for the ship-builders upon the Clyde, in Newcastle and Belfast! Their occupation will be gone. Already building ships at a lesser cost than theirs, this remission of duties will enable Mr. Roach to build them from ten to twenty per cent. cheaper still. What will England then do? Will she grant bounties to her ship-builders, to meet the emergency? She did not do it in 1849, to sustain her wooden ship-builders; she will not do it now in order to "protect" an industry infinitely greater than ours, but infinitely less in importance than that of her ship owning. She will protect that, by leaving itfree, and every Englishman who desires to buy a ship will come for that purpose to the Delaware. Mr. Roach objects to our buying British ships now; will he decline to sell American ships then?
In view of this glorious future, how can you, Mr. Roach, oppose the 21st section of this bill?
I have thus adduced some of the principal arguments in favorof the free importation of ships, the only method by which the lost prestige of our commercial marine can be restored. I have given a very close attention to the subject for many years, having in the outset come to the conclusion which subsequent time and events have abundantly confirmed.
If this essay should prove too long to be carefully read by our law-makers, for whose perusal it is mainly intended, I still trust that they may turn over the leaves sufficiently to recognize the condition of our carrying trade compared with that of England and Germany, as I shall endeavor to portray it in the shorter form of a parable, of which I earnestly hope they will make the application.
There are two large towns on the opposite banks of a wide river. There is a constantly increasing passenger and business employment, supporting several ferries, between them. In former days the principal ferry masters were an American, an Englishman, and a German. They all employed boats propelled by sails, and especially the first did a very profitable business. Indeed, the American was the most successful, as he and his boys had a way of handling their craft much superior to either of the others. Each had a large family of relatives, and, naturally, as these relatives of theirs were willing to work for the same wages as other people, they built new boats for their kindred whenever they were required.
It so happened, however, that the American's family built much better than the Englishman's. When the latter noticed that the superior craft of the former were better patronized by the public than his own, he asked the Yankee boys if they wouldn't build some boats in their style for him? "Sartain," they said, "if you'll pay us what Uncle Sammy pays for his'n?" "Aye, of course I wull," said Mr. Bull, "for boats like yon I mast have, or Sam will run away with all my business, and my family will starve." So Uncle Sam's boys built the boats for Mr. Bull, and the two old gentlemen got on amicably, for there was business enough for them both, and the Dutchman did not interfere with them a great deal. The few carpenters among Mr. Bull's relations did not like this very well, but the old man said to them squarely, "Look you here, now, d'ye think I'm going to let fifty of my relatives stand still because two or three of you, who can't build boats as well as Sam's people, are growling about it? That's not my way; I work for the good of my family at large. Go to work, now, and see if you can invent a better boat than they build; if you can, I will employ you, and so will Sam." They took the old man's advice, for they saw the sense of it, and in a short time they studied out a craft superior in every respect to anything they had before, or that Sam had now. "That's right, boys," exclaimed old Bull, rubbing his hands with glee, "now build some of them, and I'll buy them of you, and so will Sam if he isn't a fool." They did build some excellent boats, to which the public took at once; and everybody who wanted to cross the river, or to send any goods overimmediately, gave Mr. Bull their custom. He grew rich suddenly, not so much frombuildingboats as fromusingthem. Nobody patronized Sam's now old-fashioned craft. Uncle Sam, generally supposed to be a "smart old cuss," couldn't understand it at all. "It's one of those things that no fellow can find out," he said, "but next time we have a family meeting we'll appoint a committee to get at what this here 'decadence' comes from." So he appointed a committee, and they ran around six months among the carpenters of the family, and came back with a report that "Whereas, a few years ago, during a family row, a lot of old ferry boats had been stolen by or sold to Mr. Bull, this had killed boat building ever since and it always would be dead until every one of the family put their hands in their pockets and supported the carpenters till they had learned to build just such boats as Bull was using." In the meantime it may be remarked that the Dutchman had got Bull's boys to build some new boats for him, and he was now doing a better business than he had ever done before. Uncle Sam looked on and observed, "By jingo, this here's a fix; I've asked my family to hand over the cash to support these carpenters of mine, and they say they'll see me——; well, never mind what, and now that whole raft of boys, who were earning money for me on the ferry, are digging clams or gone to farming, and when I want to go across the river I have to go with Bull or the Dutchman, and pay them for it, instead of getting money for doing what they do, myself." His boys, who were thrown out of employment on the ferry, thereupon approached the old gentleman and said, "Uncle Samuel,don't you remember how, a while ago, when those carpenters of ours built better boats than Mr. Bull's could build, the old fellow came to you, and asked you to let them build some for him? If he hadn't got them from us his fellows would shortly have been high and dry, as we are now; but we sold them to him, and so he kept up his business on the ferry. Now, why don't you do what he did, and give us something to do, instead of spending your money going across in his boats and the Dutchman's?" Uncle Sam reared right up at this mild remonstrance. "Git out," he exclaimed, "you ain't no account, the ferry's no account, there ain't nothing of no account in this here family but just a half a dozen boat builders. Say, Jonathan, what are you doin' with that ar jack-knife? Did you make it?" "No, sir I bought it of one of Bull's boys." "Well, then, lay it right down;I ain't a goin' to have you whittle till you can make one for yourself." And then the old man went off—mad! And in another sense of the word, he is still mad.
Transcriber's NoteVariant and inconsistent spellings in the original 1878 text have been retained in this ebook. Variable usage of quotation marks has also been retained.The following typographical corrections have been made:Page 15: Changed , to . (exclaimed my friend with some amazement.)Page 20: Changed . to ? (buy with his own money?)Page 22: Changed Britian to BritainPage 23: Changed searcely to scarcely
Variant and inconsistent spellings in the original 1878 text have been retained in this ebook. Variable usage of quotation marks has also been retained.
The following typographical corrections have been made:
Page 15: Changed , to . (exclaimed my friend with some amazement.)
Page 20: Changed . to ? (buy with his own money?)
Page 22: Changed Britian to Britain
Page 23: Changed searcely to scarcely