New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-07


city, on the ODD ult The manufacturers who repre-
sent twelve distinct branches of the industry had
come to an understanding and il was the object of
those who participated in the conference to go before
the WAYS and Means Committee as representatives
of the united wool interest Of this country represent
ing 5000 000, 600 of capital and demand some con-
sderatiOn for their views. This conference received
from the principal wool growing sections of the
United States reports of unanimous opposition to
any reduction Of the present duties on wool. Res
outions declaring that the prosperity of wool pro-
ducton and sheep husbandry of the United States
rcqures the full measure OF the existing protective
duties wool were received from the State WOOL
Growers Associations of Vermont, New-York, Ohio
Michigan, Wisconsin. Illinois, Pennsylvania and
West Virginia, from the State Agricultural Asso-
citation of Georgia, and from other sources
Notwithstanding this the representatives Of the
Woodworking interest thought it well 10 take the
responsibility of yielding TO the desire of the Ways
and Means Committee TO effect general reduction
in the rates of duties: and therefore they assented
to the rates on wool named III the schedule they
submitted. although involving considerable reduc-
ton In the case OF carpet woods which are not pro-
duced III this country, it was proposed that the
duties remain as at present for revenue purposes.
CONCESSIONS ny MANUrACrUEERs.
The manufacturers approaching the dependence
of their mills upon az ample supply OF American
woods. and recognizing the right of the wool grow
ers TO pronounce upon the measures directly AZ
fcctnr their interests. united with them III request
Ing that the duties on wool be fixed in the
schedule submitted by the joint conference. As
American mills furnish the sole market for GOmcs-
tie woods the growers JOIN in asking that the char
acteTtic features OF the present tariff, designed TO
promote the manufacture of wool shall remain uh-
changed. Recommending that the duties on wool
he fixed rs propo ID by the conference, the manu-
facturers for their interest AID the public benefit
asked that duties should toe imposed upon The wool
sufficient 10 place the American producer upon equal
terms with the foreign producer of woods, competing
with his own.
The manufacturers say they are enabled 10 mako
this concession by the incorporation into our recent
tariff laws of principle which aims to make them
independent Of the duti"s on the material. The
pIiucple is that whatever may be the duties on
wool the manufacturer in addition to the usual
duties for revenue aud protection Is 10 be placed
practically IN the position rs If lie had his wool
free of duty.
This principle has been adopted fundamental
one TO enable the American manufacturer. subject
10 wool duties, 10 contend with his foreign rivals
who invariably have their wool froo 81 dutv. III
L., r,u,.u incorporated IN all our tarin laws SINCE
1861. although first perfectly applied in 1867
This principle ia carried into practical ap-
rlication in the existing tariff by the i'm
ro-.tion of specific duties on manuiaciurrrs
of WOOL SO adjusted rs exactly TO Offset
or neutrazc the duties on wool and other n" ma
teriaIs which enter into the fabric. The specific
duty on the fabric is in respect protective to the
manufacturer if 1t is merely compensatory. II
varies i'm each class of fabrics with the amount OF
fine duty placed on the wool entering INTO the fab
rc The sole protection 10 the manufacturer Is fur
nishcd by the additional ad valorcm duty. winch
!. mainly uniform under the existing tariff. Both
classes of industry are Indispensable, they say;
the specific to reimburse the duties on the raw ma
tclal and the adj valorcm - give the same protec-
tion 70 the wool manufacturer which is afforded 10
other industries The system of reimbuIsn. sle-
ciGc duties is regarded by the entire interest a.
feature of absolutely vital importance TO the wool
! industry of the United States.
In reciting these facts to the committee. the rep
rcsentativcs declared in REGARD to the reimbursing
system. that =" IL admits of protection both to the
| wool-prower and the wool manufacturer; II has
rcconcilcd their formerly conflicting interests, and
has made a unit Of the American wool industry.
Under this system, with an essentially UNIFORM al
voloren duty exact equality is preserved IN the APP
nlcation of duties TO the very diverse branches
of the wooden industry; and the adjustment OF what
was formerly regarded as the most difficult
]
! comn,rotiyelv easy. Duties cannot be made cX-
| cInsvcIy specific without being too high on low
nriccd goods and too low hgh-prIccd goods I'M
loss n sliding scale is adopted, which is pronounced
unavoidable by those who have had experience in
the administration of revenue laws. Neither shond
the duty be entirely al valorcn, as this system adj
mts of fraud by differentiation, while the endless
variety of woollcn fabrics peculiarly facilitates such
| frauds"
From Mr. r. II. Darrah, of Boston, whose business
is TO pass upon all woOllen goods brought INTO tna
port the wool representatives. submitted letter
setting forth that, in long experience III his ONCE
the appraiser has never found any difficulty m
| working under the law" which levies a compound
duty on the manufacture OF woolens, either III the
prompt celebrity III the examination ana report on
! ,,nportation or in any confusion i'll rates OF duty
So i'm the phIaseOOgy of the schedule OF the CONFER
ence il was the aim rs iaras possible 10 make u con-
form to that of the existing tarifi, TO AVOID diner
enccs of opinion MS 10 lis construction. ana 10 me
fnther end that the decisions OF the necessary ue-
partmcnt and of the courts having construed the
| language OF the present tarlii might Stahd uhuis
| turbcd.
| The schedule makes reduction OF from 20 TO 20
per cent on the present wool tariff. reduction
| in the specific duties on manufactures OF wool Is
made to correspond with the reduction on WOOL
| The representatives of the conference held that
/" the manufacturer requires at least "a duty of 30
per cent on low and medium-priced foreign goods
| 10 enable him to compete and an additional
| . per cent on the finer goods involving
more expense i'll their fabrication. In this schedule
the manufacturers relnquish per cent of the pro-
lection at present afforded to them, except upon the
finer goods. ANY further reduction would he dis
astrous to their interests involving it would, not
only keen foreign competition in n business already
much depressed. but direct loss by the shrnkage OF
| value in manufactured and manufactured
| merchandise Even under the reduction OF the