If protection is designed to help the laborer. here is an opportunity for a liberal display of its bounty. But what are the facts? Contract labor. cheap laborers from Italy and other countries of Continental Europe. swarm here and compete with American laborers for employment. Over 5.000.000 of these people have come here in the last ten years. and the ironmasters of Pennsylvania are chief among those who encourage this importation of cheap labor and then hire it at prices which means starvation to the home laborer. Taking into account the short time and shutdowns. the following is given as the ratio of wages paid the operatives in the iron industries of Pennsylvania in 1884. and I have not heard that this condition of things has grown better: Employment.
Identified stereotypes
European laborers are described as 'cheap labor' that undercuts American workers.