Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-03-16

possible loss to our lumbefmen than they
are themselves. Many of them are strong
advocates of tariff reform measures. They
recognize that the competition which they
have to fear, is the competition of the great
lumber kings of the Northwest, who have
hnilt up immense fortunes from their pro-
tected industry. Ii the reduction of the
tariff duty removes this danger, and makes
ii impossible for a great lumber trust to
drive other producers out Of business,
West Virginia lumbsrmen will not be
losers by the act, despite Mr.. GoEF's fears
and tears.
The distinguished gentleman Is equally
solicitors about the posteries of West Vr-
ginia, and considers that a death blow has
been aimed st thsm. We 90 not presume
to doubs the correctness of his figures
showing that i reduction 10 the duty Of
from twenty-sevea to thirty-three percent.
has been made on the various kinds Of
wares; bat we would mildly suggest that
other Congressman equally as able as Mr..
GOFF, and with better opportunities for
being informed as to the exact effect Of
the Mills bill, place the average reduction
at much leSs, and claim that in many
clsss no reduction whatever is proposed.
With the raw materials for the manufact-
Ute of ware put on tho free list, Mr.. GOFF
will pcObsbly fnd that our pOtteries are
not so bad OF after all.
About free; wool the REGISTER has al
ready had much 20 say. 1t has conclusive
ly shown that the profits of the wool
grower are no. entirely dependent on the
tariff duty. The distinguished critic of
the MILLS bill, however, expresses a deep
and sad foreboiiug that il will "close
all the wooden mills OF his district"
Il would be of interest if Mr.. GOTF
would inform us Just bow many
wooden mills there are in his district,
and the value of their manufactures.
A number o. years ago there was a
wooden mill in the city Of Wheeling. Over
So, 900 was put into it. While the tariff
on wool WAS low it 1ourished, but alas!
up went the tariff on wool ard down went
the wooden mill; the Investment was lost
entirely, and 10 attempt has ever been
made to revive the plant. Who ever hears
of any one talking about starting q wooden
mil in this city? Ii the tariff on wool
would protect such an industry, surely
capital aud brains would be Forthcoming
% put il in operation.
Has it never occurred to Mr.. GoFF's
astute mind that the MILLS bill will
encourage the manufacture Of wooden
fabrics? II not, he has studied the ques-
ton less profoundly than one would expect
from 80 distinguished "a advocate Of pre-
lection.
The tariff duty that compels our msnu-
flcturers OG wooden goods 10 use only home
woods, or buy foreign woods at an exoC-
OALduL pIlC5, plaCoS lueH az gu ihSsIALd9O'S
disadvantage, compared with foreign
manufacturers. The exclusion o!
foreign woods from our markets
or an %extrayagant increase of its price by
an import tax keeps the American manu-
facturer from extending his business, and
to the same degrees lessons the demand for
American wool aud ~discourages American
sheep growers. This is a view of the case
that PROBABLY has not occurred to Mr..
GOFF.
These few slight suggestions are offered
to our Congressman with all kindness.
If he will study them carefully he
may become convinced that the MILLS
bill IS not such dalnable heresy after all.
If they serve to relieve him of any Of his
oppressive fears for the future Of these in
dustries in West Virginia, the REGISTER
will feel that it has done a good work.