The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-03-19
TARIFF AND ARIFF SCENE.
Correspondence of.the Baltimore Patriot.
WASHINGTON, March 2, 1916.


The ways and doings Of the British Free
Trade party in this country, and their CO.
workers and co adiutors, the Lordly Manu-
facturers of England, are rapidly developing
themselves!
The proceedings of Congress being dull
TO day, | accepted an invitation to visit
the room of the House Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads, where found Mr..
HOMER, brother to SIDNEY HOMER, whose
anti-tarif letter appeared in The last number
of the ''Union," exhibiting about 200 speci-
mems ofgoods ofEnglish manufacture, with
like goods of American production, and
prices attached TO each---in order to con-
vince members of Congress that our tariff
ought 10 be struck down.
/ don't know when ever enjoyed an hours
time more heartily. Mr.. Homer is gentle
manly person, who seems TO understand the
wants of the English Manufactures admira-
bly, we'll. Indeed he told those present that
| he had resided in Manchester, England, for
ten years, engaged in sending British goods
to this country, and that he left England 10
reside in the United States in 1912. He
has amassed large fortune, and seems 10
come TO instrnc: Congress in behalf of
SSH Robert Walker" on the one side, and
The Manufacturers ofManchester on the 9TH
er. He brings a letter of instruction and
recommendation from Mr.. Alexander Hen.
nv, great capitalist in manchester, which is
dated January Sd, 1916, and was received
per the steamer Hibernia. A part of this let
Ter. Mr.. Homer exhibits to those who wish 10
peruse it. The British writer of it, in speak
I ing of Mr. Folks anti-tarff message 10 Con-
gress, exclaims-s'A second Daniel come TO
judgment! A second Sir Richard Cobden!'
He praises the message very much thereby
showing how highly il is appreciated by the
British Manufacturers
In regard to Mr.. Homer's mission 10 in
struct Congress into the belief that it would
be best TO break down the American Manu-
facturers and exalt those of Great Britain,
Mr.. Henry writes: 81 am glad thai you,
whose long experience as our Importers, en-
fables you SO well 10 understand the subject,
have taken il in hand; for if the object of
those at Washington be 10 obtain sound in
formation and arrive at just conclusions in
the proposed alterations of the present tariff,
, the information which you can lay before
them will be highly valuable.'
was there, Messrs. Stewart. Colamer and
Hubbard of the House and Mr.. Mr.. Welher-
led, of Baltimore. Also two or three anti
tariff members, who soon left. You may
well amagne that such genllemanas have
named would, under the circumstances, put
some searching questions TO Mr.. Homer,
: coming ihere for such a purpose and so re-
, commended! And assure you that they
did put them! Mr.. Homer answered as well
5 perhaps as any frce-tfader .could-but never
/ have Iseen man so completely cornered!
I He exhibited two pieces Of calico which
, be said were manufactured by Senator SIM
s mons of Rhode Island who sold them one
for II cents per yard and the other for l4or
10. Weihered thought there must be some
t mistake in this, and went up 10 the Senate
. and requested MIR. Simmons to come down
: TO the committee room, who readily assented
10 the request. He said the pieces in ques-
ton were none of his manufacture, and from
: the qualify the best piece was not worthl2A
= cents, and the other not over l0A per yard
o Those persons from whom Homer had OBJ
$ lained them, had deceived him.
Y MIR. Homer said The manufacturers OF this
y species of goods made profit of from go TO
!. why then more persons did mol invest their
a capital in such profitable business? He ask
: ed Mr.. Homer why he did hot embark in the
b business? The latter replied, that he w'euld
II invest $4,000 init, if he did moi fear that
! SO many would rush into the same enterprise
e as 10 bring down the profits by competition,
o so low TO destroy the business. MIR. Stew
p art asked if that was not American doctrine,
e that competition reduced not only the profits
but the prices? Collamar asked who but
the great mass of the people reaped the BEN
e eft from this competition among the manu-
featuring capitalists? Mr.. Hubbard wanted.
Mr.. Homer TO say, if The reason why he did
not invest his capital in this line of business
was because competition would bring down
the prices Of The goods manufactured? Mr.
Homer fatered in his reply, and said there
were several reasons why he would not en-
gage in manufactures. One was, that the
, market would be fuctuating.
Mr.. Wethered, seeing the stale of fittings,
and exercising his compassion,sa il was TOO
bad for so many TO be against one. He hop
ed the tariff folks in Congress would also
have. a Committee Room, as wella as the Brit
ish manufactures, with specimens for exami-
nation and comparison, and that they wo uld
appoint some sensible gentleman TO superin-
tend it and argue the matter sngle-handed
with Mr. Homer. Whereupcn the gentle
men made their bows and took their leave.
fear Mr.. Homer will find his mission too
hot for him. The American people don't
like these kind of missions on behalf Of the
n