Omaha daily bee., 1889-09-21
TILE nonL tNrEREsrs

fhh w OOfs IN
II seems inevitable that wool is to en-
gage as mitch Of the attention Of the
next congress as IL did that OF the last.
The special meeting OF the executive
committee Of she national association OF
wool manufacturers, held at Boston this
week, was expected TO formulate some
sort OF proposition to be presented to
congress as representing the demands
OF the manufacturers, but 1t failed TO
do so. About all that was de-
veloped regarding the desires
OF the manufacturers was OBJ
tanned from interviews after the con
ference had completed its fruitless de-
liberations. From these it is learned
that the manufacturers regard the
present time as a critical one for their
business. They have not for some time
been enjoying wholly satisfactory
measure OF prosperity, and the outlook
is not favorable. The president OF the
national association is quoted as saying
that, while there is no wish to attack the
wool-growers, something must be done
for the manufacturers. The growth OF
the wooden industry has not kept
pace with that OF other industries, ac-
cording to this authority, and the man
ufacturers have not only had no induce
ment to expand, but have been obliged
to contract. This condition of things
has gone on until their business affairs
have become critical, and the two
courses suggested in order TO resuscitate
the business is either to cheaper the
raw material or give greater protet tion
to the manufactured product. Achange
which, it is the opinion OF some,
will give the manufacturers the
relief they seek, is to make
the duty on wool ad valorem inste ad OF
specific. If this were done the duty
would be graduated to the rise and fall
of the foreign market, and it is con-
tended that il this were done the for
| eign manufacturer would not enjoy the
| advantage he now does over the Amer
| lean manufacturer. A great many wool
manufacturers favor this proposition.
| The wool growers have no doubt
| as to their attitude. So far as
| heard from they are unanimous
in demanding not only that there
| shall be no reduction of the
duties on wool, but that there
| shall be restoration of the higher
duties of 1867, as provided for in the
senate tariff bill. The protest of the
| Ohio branch of the wool growers asso-
citation against any and all propositions
| looking to reduction of the wool duties
is unequivocal, and there can be no
doubt that this had very important
influence in determining the action, or
more properly the inaction, of the Bos-
ton conference of woolen manufacture
ers. There is to be another conference
held on the I'd of October, which
it is possible will give more def
mite expression to the requirements and
wishes of the manufacturers, but from
the present aspect of the situation it
would seem that the wool growers are
likely to have their wishes regarded.
In that case the question before the
next congress in relation to the wool in
terests will be that of increasing the du-
ties on the products Of wool. 1t is plain
that the manufacturers of woolen goods
can not continue to do business under
the present conditions. Fifty nota-
| BILE failures have occurred in
this industry during the present
| year, and it is not in a
very much better condition than the
iron industry of New England, which is
almost unanimous in demanding a re-
vision of the tariff that will give it free
raw materials. The promise is for a
very active and interesting contest
over the question of wool duties
in the next congress, with q
strong probability that the weight oi
public sentiment will be against any in
crease of the duties on wool, and possi-
bly, in favor of reducing them.