The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-01-18
The Wool conferanca Ended.


WAsHseroS, D. G., Jan. H.--Just before
adjournment to-day the wool conference
adopted the following declaration, which
was given to the press tonight
The representatives Of the National Asso-
eiation of Wool Manufacturers, and of the
Wool Growers National association, speak
! ing. as they believe, for all peasons engaged
in both Of these occupations in the United
States, with only individual exceptions, pro-
claim anew their deep conviction that the
protection by tariff of wool, and of the
manufactures of wool, is demanded by the
best Interests of all the American people.
The increase in the clip of America wool
from 60 264.9l3 pounds in 1859, 70 302, ,oO9, 900
pounds in 1885, while the imports of foreign
wool advanced only from 26, ,2s2 ,933 pounds
to 1885, 20 pounds within the same period
demonstrates the effect of protective duties
in promoting sheep husbandry in this coun-
try. and in thus adding to the sources of
national prosperity and wealth. The fact
that the reduction in the tariff ON wool in
1sSS, was Immediately followed by n de-
crease in the number of sheep in the coun-
try. from j0625, ,626 in 1854 TO A, 759 3li in
1887, gives warning that the abolition OF
duties on wool would seriously cripple the
raising Of sheep in this country, which Is the
third producer in quantity among the ma
tions. and would thus increase the price of
wool all over the world, while the conse-
quent destruction of sheep would moterially
effect the supply and the price of meat and
TO considerable degree af all provisions
Inasmuch as American manufacturers furn-
ished in lsS0 $40 per cent. of the WOODEN
goods consumed in the United States.
although in 1860 only 81 $40 per cent. of
such goods were produced in this country,
no reduction in the tariff can be necessary
to afford the American people full supply
and abundant competition in fabrics which
enter into use in every family, and for which
the prices for like qualities compare favorably
with those in foreign counties. The advance
in the consumation of wool in the United
States, from G., 5,749, $50 pounds in 1850 to
p, 40l, 100 pounds in 1879. under protective
tariff is to be attributed to the impetus given
to manufactures by the raising of sheep in
this country, which in 1881 furnished sl3-ID
per cent. of all the wool consumed here
As means to the development Of fnanuf.c-
tories at home, the sheep industry, which
has 50 largely aided in the development and
civilization of our vast western country,
deserves consistent and adequate encourage
ment in the adjustment of the national I
revenue Under the protective policy the (
United States has become the foremost I
manufacturing nation in the world, while /
It's agriculture has been extended and diver (
siiied by the incentive of the most profitable I
markets known TO men. Prudence forbids I
the overthrow ola system of revenue under (
which such results have been obtained, I
while the wages of labor and the share of .
production paid to the American artisan are {
far greater than in any other country. The +
committees here assembled ask for the con-
tinuance of protection to their own industries
only as they ask for like consideration to
every other branch of American productions.
They plead for no favoritism to particular
interests, but for broad national policy,
essential TO the well being of all our people,
and contributing TO the prosperity and pro-
gress and power the public. They know
that the abolitid.l of the duties on wool,
almost fatal to oar sheep husbandry, woald
be very damaging to the manufacturers of
wool. These committees urge that no reason
can be shown why subsidies should be offer
cd for foreign competition by the repeal or
reduction of the tariff and they suggest that
wisdom, as well as patriotism, requires that
all American productions shall have the
fostering care of the government as the safe
guard of American nationality. That we
urgently request congress TO Immediately
pass a joint resolution correcting the present
erroneous classification of worsteds. by di-
recting that they he classed as wooden cloths.
That we favor the passage of the senate bill
known at the Aldrieh hill, 10 suppress under.
valuations of imports"