The Portland daily press., 1888-03-13
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
An Industry which is Threatened by
the PremIer's Bill.

WASHINGTON, March 12.-Thc cement pro-
ducers of the United States will be driven
out of that business il the Ozark Lantern"
bill becomes law. The present duty is 20
per cent. ad valerem the bill transfers it to
the free list The manufacture of cement in
the United States, especially Portland ce-
ment, is a new industry, and yet works have
been established in New York and eighteen
other States. New York manufacturers pro-
duce 5000, 00O:barrels per year, and employ
5000 laborers, all men. In Kentucky 1,5CO
men are employed, and the annual output ex-
ceeds 1,0OO, 900 barrels. The total amount of
capital invested is about $8 000, 900, the total
output is about 100000 barrels per annum.
and the number of workingmen and their
families who derive their support from the
industry exceeds 10000. About 81 per cent:
of the cost Of cement represents wages paid
to labor. The workingmen engaged In this
industry in the United States receive 80 to 90,
and in some cases 100 per cent. more than the
workingmen employed in the same industry
in England, France or Germany.
The cost OF cement to the consumer Is no
greater in this country than in any OF the
countries mentioned, and the price per barrel
has steadily declined. Roman cement, which
sold for S1.10 per barrel in 1882, was worth
only 80 cents in 1885, and American Portland
cement, which was worth $2.25 per barrel in
is in no sense raw material; ; 1t is quarrled,
burnt and ground. Moreover, it does not
enter into any other manufacture as raw
material" Canada imposes a high duty not
which it 10 manufactured. The placing, OF
cement on the free list cannot be defended on
any ground.
ConkIing TaIks.
Ex-senator Roscoe Conkling, during re-
cent visit to Washington, in conversation
with an old friend, spoke very freely and
fully concerning the political situation and
his present relations to the Republican par
ty. He said that he had always regarded
himself as in line with his party on general
principles, although some matters, more Of
personal than political nature, led to his
retirement from active participation IN par
ty movements. These considerations no
longer exist, and therefore he feels himself
in situation to again exert his efforts In
the interest of party success. In reference
to Mr.. Blaine's letter of withdrawal, he said
that he had no doubt he was sincere in his
utterance, and meant what he said. He re-
ferred to Mr.. Blaine as one of the shrewdest
politicians that this country had ever pro-
duced, but never had regarded him as
statesman.
To Join the Commission.
The resignation of Luther Maddocks from
the secretaryship OF the National Flshery
Association at the meeting in Boston, was
for first-rate reason. Mr.. Maddocks has
the offer Of good position on the fish COM
mission and has about decided to take it.
WeItha Emmons's VIII.
In the Probate Court, Saturday, Mr.. Henry
w. Garnett, through his counsel, filed an
answer to the petition of Prof. Emmons.
praying that the will of his deceased wife.
Weltha A Emmons, be set aside. Mr.. Gar
nett asserts that the parties. though man
and wife, had not lived together for more
than two years; that Prof. Emmons had pub
lished notice warning the public against
granting Mrs Emmons credit as his wife,
and that since that time he had contributed
nothing to her support Mr.. Garnett de-
clares that the property was given to Mrs.
Emmons in her absolute right by her hus-
band, and that Prof. Emmons had no right
to the property. He asked that the ques-
question Of the validity of the will be sent to
Jury for trial.