The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-07-16


revenues. Two committees were APP
pointed-one of republicans to secure if
possible recognition of our desires by
| their party, and one of democrats to la
Dor with that great party to the same
END. The republicans, as you are we'll
aware, secured the placing of plank in
the platform OF their party which COM
mits it completely to support measures
looking to a higher duty upon wool and
woolens. What position will be taken
by the democratic party we shall soon
know.
The convention issued an address to
the wool growers of the United States,
which [ hope you have all carefully
read. This address, after speaking some
plain truths in regard to protection and
T 70 the Importance of our industry, closes
s1s follows: 'In view of these facts we
believe the wool growers of the country
have the right to ask Of congress such q
measure of protection as will restore
this great industry to condition of
prosperity. 10 our members of con-
gress alone we look for relief
For the purpose of strengthening your
influence and securing united action we
recommend the formation of state, coun-
ty and district organizations whenever
practicable. We desire in conclusion to
say to all wool growers in the United
States that by proper effort we may rea-
Isonably hope to succeed in obtaining
our rights, and that you may we'll be
encouraged to continue in business in
which you have so much invested capi-
tai, experience and intelligence"
That the acts of the convention made
a strong impression upon congress, the
leading political parties and the country
generally, there can be no doubt, and
there is every Indication that it will see
accomplished it's purposes and aims. [
cannot give you in this report as full a
discussion of the temper and views that
prevailed among these representative
wool growers as [ would like, but hope
in some future communication to take
this interesting matter up.
This appeal on the part of the national
committee to us to strengthen and per-
feet our organizations should be carefully
and seriously considered by us. 1t is
not, however, this matter of national
Importance only that should prompt us
to support and strengthen the associa-
ton. There are in addition to this many
matters in which we need educating,
such, for instance, as those referring to
breeding, management, transportation
and manufacturing.
There is no industry in which the
maxim, knowledge is power" applies
more forcibly than in our own. The
dense ignorance that prevails among us
in regard to what becomes Of our wool
after it is tumbled from the wagons at
the steamboat landing or railroad station
is appalling. I never have appreciated
this matter more forcibly than did the
other day when [ asserted that 1Oc. per
pound for our pelts was not just price
when our woods were selling from 18c.
to 19c. per pound, [ was bulldozed
right up into a corner, and while fin
ger was vigorously wagging i'll close
proximity to my nose, | was told | did
not know a single thing about it | was
practically told that / was a fool, and
the disagreeable feature of it is that it
was true. I determined right then and
there, however, to find out, if it was a
possible thing to do so, if there was not
some exaggeration in the statement
made to me that about Is per cent. of
our fallen pelts was skin, which was Of
no value, and that the process Of pulling
injured the felting properties Of the
wool to such an extent that its value in
the market was less by about II per
cent. than in the same woods when !
shorn from the sheep.
I appreciate the fact fully that it is a
law of trade that the buyer will pur-
chase as cheaply as he can. No one is
to blame but the producer it he sells |
his pelts for less here than they are
worth. If they could be made to net |
him much more if pulled here, Or if |
they could be shipped to a pulling es-
tablishment Or dealer east to greater ad- |
we ought to be well enough in
formed to know it. No man is going to |
give away the business by which he
lives. Perhaps ten cents is large price |
this year for pelts. I do not believe.
however, there is wool grower in the |
whole territory well enough posted to
be certain one way OF the other upon |
this question. A little more knowledge |
upon this matter might be little more |
money to us.
In the transportation problem there is !
but one law-"tax the industry all it
will bear or all it is policy to charge"
In conversation lately with the man
ager of transportation company, was
told, while trying to secure a lower rate,
that wool growing in Montana was a
profitable industry and would stand q
much higher tax for transportation than
that now paid; that transportation
must live, and that it was a
shame to be taking wool at the price
now ruling, when the profits of the
business would stand much higher rates.
All of which is equivalent to saying
that any surplus profits derived from
the business Of wool growing belongs to
the transportation company, and that
those of us who manage to survive lamb
ing and shearing must be satisfied with
q living.
We can, however, if we are in posi-
ton to act together, make it the policy
Of the transportation companies to ham
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