Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-09-27
Wool aud the Tariff.

Regarding wool as an annual crop of
agriculture, 1t may he said that 1t is sub
ject to more violent fluctuations in value
than average agricultural crops. II wool
Is low farmers 70 out OF sheep husbandry,
and once n period OF encouragement
begins, II requires series of
favorable circumstances to effectual-
1y check 1t, and several wears
are needed for the existence OF reaction
to make itself apparent. Farmers who
make sheep husbandry speciality can
deceminate their flocks in year. but to
repair and build up again, especially If
new capital and new enterprise must be
enlisted. In the work of years.
Chief among the obstacles to the re-
vival OF sheep husbandry in our country,
to which long depression in prices may
be attributed, with Its diminished produc-
ton, has been, In the opinion of Mr..
Dexter North, 3 ecretary of the National
Association of Wool Manufacturers. the
steady but erroneous classification Of
worsted clothes, by the L. 5. Treasury
Department, under which decisions that
promising industry languished to fear
full extent, and the foreign importations
rose to enormous proportions. The effect
Of this increased importation was quite
as disasterous To the wool growers,
as to the wool manufacturers.
The modification of this false
classification and the necessary re-
vived demand for American woods for the
manufacture Of home made worsteds, will
arouse and efiectually contribute to the
prosperity Of the wool growing industry
in fact 1t has already accomplished this
result. These circumstances afford an
excellent illustration Of the fact. and one
which has not always been suf-
ficieutly considered by the representations
Of the wool growers. that there is
no prosperity possible for the wool grow
ing industry which is not first preceded
by. and accompanied with the prosperity
Of the wool manufacturers. American
farmers cannot grow wool for the export
trade. Not n pound Of American wool can
be shipped any where In competition with
the wool Of Australia and South America.
Consequently the prosperity of our wool
growers is dependent upon that legislation
which will most stimulate home manu-.
fsctue. The more free and diversified
this manufacture can he made by favor
ts,.v Ian al Al. l. -.
tation Of the non-competing classes
Of woods, the greater the demand
for American woods is sure to be. and the
higher price will It bring the growers.
The purpose Of the tariffs not to ar
bitrsrily create and continue an artificial
and excessive price for American wool.
1t Is to enable American wool 10 com
mand price just sufficiently in advance
Of the standard prices abroad, to permit
Of its production here under conditions
made by legislation as nearly equal to
those elsewhere prevailing, and as
fairly favorable in comparison with
those rs possible. An equitable duty
on wool is such a duty as will
render the price Of foreign wool.
laid down in this country. so much
greater than the ruling price Of similar
grade Of domestic wool, that consumers
will not purchase the former excepting
for pecaliafand exceptional wants, so i'm
perattve - 70 permit the paying Of a
higher price. This would seem to be
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