The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-10-27
American Agricultural Implements
Sold Cheaper Abroad than at
Home.

Sold Cheaper Abroad than at
Home.
Remarks Of Hon. ". H. Hatch, Of N'dsoaf,
in the House of'Rpresentatices, October
s, 1888.
| Mr. Hatch said Mr. Chairman, l sure that
under the circumstances the Committee OF the
Whole will pardon me if digress somewhat from
discussion of the features of this bill, have not
had during the last few days opportunity to be in
the House TO make a statement which now desire
to make.
\ short time ago. In a speech which delivered In
my own district in the State of Missouri, and re-
peated at Williams Grove, Pennsylvania made the
statement that farm implements and farm machine
ry manufactured in this country were exported and
sold to foreign buyers, both in Canada, and in Mex
ico as well as in Europe, at lower prices than they
were sold to the American farmer. said further
that had authority for the statement that the Oliver
Chilled Plow Works. at South Bend. Ind, exported
their plows to Canada and sold them there, or 10
Canadian dealers at an average price 81 less than
they sold to the American farmer. send to the
Clerks desk to be read letter addressed to gentle
man in my State by the establishment referred TO.
The Clerk read as follows;
SOUTH BEND. IND, August 81, 1888.
DEAR SIR: Your favor of the 18th ultiIno is at
hand and carefully noted. We do not suppose that
Hon. w. II. Hatch Congressman from your district
would willfuly misrepresent u.s. but the statements
made in his speech at your place on the 18th inst,
have no foundation in fact whatever. The truth is.
we have little or no trade in Canada as the 30 per
cent. duty most efectually shuts us out from that
market There may be limitations of our plows, pro-
duced by Canadian manufacturers, but we know
nothing of them and are in no wise responsible for
them We do not favor foreign trade in the least and
all reports that do are false. We export our
plows largely to Europe, Mexico, South America.
and elsewhere but buyers for those countries pay us
exactly the same price that American dealers do.
AS to the retail price, take your number 40, which
is standard plow IL is retailed in this country,
complete with wheel and jointer for sl4 while the
pillow is sold i'll Great Britain for several dollars
more II is gratifying to us TO have our plows so
well thought of abroad, but we can say without
egotism that their popularity is due solely to their
merit.
manufacture has been brought nearer to perfection
in this country than elsewhere on the face of the
globe. Competition is brisk factories are plenty,
and not only do Americans produce the best plows
than in any foreign land. The statements made by
Mr.. Hatch are not new. and each Residential year
bob up serenely' as factor in politics but we are
somewhat surprised that gentleman of his reputa-
ton should make such charges without satisfying
himself of their truth What we have said TO you is
the truth, pure and simple. and we are prepared to
subStantiate the same on any or all occasions.
Mr.. p. NJ Smith, your place, writes us in regard
TO you. Thanking you both for calling our atten.
ton to the matter. and hoping that We may be set
right in your community, we beg 10 remain. Yours,
truly, OLIVER CHILLED PLow WORKS.
H. F. MILAN, Esq, Kirksville, Mo.
Mr.. Hatch. ask the Clerk now 10 read my reply
to that letter. as a foundation for official documents
which shall submit in few moments.
The Clerk read as follows:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, UNITED STATES,
Washington, d. c., October s. 1883.
GENTLEMEN: Your letter, addressed to ii. f. Mill
Ian Esq. kirksyile, Mo-, dated August 81, and sub
sequently published in the Kirksville Journal and
other Republican papers in Northeast Missouri, has
been brought attention, the delay having
been caused by my unavoidable absence from this
city from September 10 until Saturday last
In a speech delivered by me in Kirksville, NO.,
August %, stated that farm implements and ma
chinery manufactured in this country and sold to
American farmers were exported 10 foreign coun-
tries, notably Canada and Mexico and after paying
duty to such countries were retailed at less
price than in this country and insancing the Oliver
chilled plows stated further that was informed by
good authority that these Plows We're shipped TO
Canada and sold at retail TO the Canadian farmer at
average of 81 less than the same plows could be
bought by the American farmer.
certainly had no intention of "misrepFesenting
the facts doing your works or any other company
in the United States the slightest njustee OH the
contrary, had the highest authority for the state
ments made, and now have abundant evidence to
sustain them.
Atthe great Interstate Grange meeting at Williams
Grove Pennsylvania August 3D. reiterated these
statements, without mentioning individual in
stances in the presence of one of the largest most
Intelligent and we'll informed asscmDlages of
American farmers that has copgregnted this year,
and also in the presence of the largest display OF farm
implements and machinery TO be seen on this con-
invited, pressed for, and challenged denial
from any sucn owner representative present but
in vain Not one of them dared, in such presence
and with the facts ut hand, 10 venture u denial of
the truth of these statements.
You are the only manufacturing company in the
United States, so far as know, whose goous have
been, or are being, exported for sale, or sold to
foreign buyers that have Ventured upon denial oil
the facts stated.
In regard TO the prices of sewing machines, reap
ers mowers, and other highpriced farm machinery,
in this country and Europe. we'll Canada and
Mexico, no well informed person of respectabllity
will question the oft-repeated and proven statement
that such American manufactured articles are sold
at greatly reduced prices abroad over those charged
the American purchaser
l am somewhat surprised at the character OF your
denial; il is eyasive and unsatisfactory. You admit
that you have some trade with Canada, but are
careful TO omit that country from the list of those
enumerated to which you export your plows But
this will not avail you nor VIII the inslnuation that
limitations of our plows produced by Canadian
manufacturers may be SOLD for less money, or be
the ones referred TO- in the light of the facts so
plainly stated in the official correspondence copies
of which herewith submit to your careful. colsid-
Grafton My statements at Kirksville and elsewhere
We're made on the authority of Mr.. Washington, and
now submit his own statement of the facts from
which he derived his information.
also invite your attention to the cumulative evil
dence contained in the accompanying eorrespon-
dence which fully explains itself without further
comment The statements made may not be new
TO the manufacturers, but they will prove mighty
throughout the United States. Very respectfully,
your Obedient servant.
W. Ii. HATCH,
Oliver Chilled Pillow Works. South Bend, Ind.
Mr.. Hatch now ask the Clerk to read letter
from the Assistant Secretary State and the report
accompanying it.
The Clerk read as follows
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, September Is, 1855
SIR: In pursuance OF the verbal promise made to
you by Assistant Secretary Rives week ten days
ago, and confirmed by my personal note of last
week, have pleasure III transmitting to you here
with copyofa report by Mr. Washington, our COM
mercial agent at London, Ontario, the rices of
American agricultural implements in his district
have the honor TO be- your obedient servant
ALVEY A. ADEE, Second Assistant Secretary.
Hon. WILLIAM II. HATCH. NJ. e.,
House of Representative.
Enclosure: Consul Washington to Department of
State, No. g. London, Ontario, September 10, 1883.
10,