The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-06-04

Mr. McAllister of Colorado made an
address. which was followed by a paper
enom the president of the Wool Growers
association.
Prof, Denslow, one of the editors Of
thp Inter Ocean, ave "a very solid and
exhaustive address upon the question of
nrorpction. which was listened to very
apttentively and frequently %applauded.
The committee appointed to prepare
an address to the wool growers OF the
country presented the same which was
adopted 10y the convention.
After much discussion in regard to the
feasibility of publishing a quarterly or
monthly magazine devoted to the inter
ests OF The wool growers and under their
direct management, the matter was left
to a committee.
A recess until 4 O'clock was then TAX
on in order that The members might ac-
cept the following invitation given the
day before:
CHICAGO, May 10.
To tie President and Delegates Wool
GyoWerS' convention:
We kindly invite you to meet as a
BODY at our office, No. POI Michigan
sire IT, and there meet the wool dealers
of our city in an informal lunch and
talk. YOU to name the hour AND day
most convenient to you.
Respectfully.
IL. Il. THOMPSON & Co.
This lunch given by the wool dealers
was d very pleasant and enjoyable affair.
One of the entire lofts of Messrs. Ill. F..
Thompson q Co.'s large warehouse was
cleared, tables n chairs arranged, and
salads, cold meats, bread, coffee, straw
berries, ice cream and cakes, CONNECTION
airy and cigars in great abundance set
out.
After the lunch a number OF tine
speeches were made, in which humorous
mention was made OF certain differences
that may at times occur between grow
ers and dealers.
Among these speeches one by Mr..
McAllister, of Colorado, contained a
good illustration of the effect OF a high
tariff in producing, through home COM
petition, cheap goods. Mr.. McAllister
was one of the first parties who COM
menced the manufacture OF steel rails IN
this country. Before they started their
works rails of English manufacture were
selling for Sl3O per ton. Upon hearing
that some American works were to be
started word was sent over to reduce the
price first to $l20 and then to $1lO per
ton, with the view of preventing the
manufacture in this country. This
stopped the American project for awhile,
but finally the works were completed
and ready to start when English rails
were put down to 800 a ton and all hope
of starting up had to be abandoned for
the time.
Finding a protective tariff was placed
upon imported rails, their manufacture
in this country was gradually develop
ed. Manufacturing rails was found to
be very profitable, and many establish
ments sprung up; competition became
keen, the prices beganto go down under
improved methods of working, until
now steel rails are sold for $35 a ton, |
while there still remains a tariff of $28
on imported rails.
The free trade argument always is
that the duty is added to the cost of
the goods, and is a bounty paid to the
manufacturers or producers. Can any
one believe that if the duty Of $28 was
removed that they could be sold, manu-
featured in England, for the difference
between $35 and $28, Or 81 per ton to-
day?
The same will be true of wool; in
crease the duty if anything, and inside
Of five years we shall grow ali the cloth
ing wool we use, and through competi-
tlOu at nome, duu DOC WILL IOIClSA
countries, reduce its price to the lowest
notch to the consumer.
When the convention met again after
the recess, two committees were appoint
ed-one of republican wool growers and
the other of democrats, to attend the
national conventions and to procure at
tention to the needs of the wool indus
try. p. Jansen, of Nebraska, and j. II.
Hoppin, of California, both of whom
are delegates to the national republican
convention, and the Hon. G.. DelanO,
were appointed on the committee of re-
publicans; and Col. John Stockdale, of
Pennsylvania, w. N. Cowden, of Ohio,
and Col. Lester B. Falkner, of New
York, were appointed by the democratic
section.
The convention then adjourned sine
die, and the executive board Of the ma
tional association held a short session.
This executive board, consisting of the
president, Hon. C. Delano, the secre-
tary, Mr.. Albert Chapman, and the OIL
GERS of the state and territorial assocla-
tons that were present, resolved thai all
action taken by the convention be
affirmed by the association.
Quite a lively discussion was had
upon the matter Of finances. Tt seems
but few associations had responded to
the call by the national association. The
secretary was directed to issue a circular
letter to the officers of state associations.
asking their aid in the work OF the
national association. i. w. p.