The Portland daily press., 1889-12-28
WOULD CARRY FOUR OR FIVE STATES
If Southern ProtectionIsts Could Vote
on that Question Alone.
Tariff and the Race Problem Get Very
Much Mixed Up.
The News Of the Day in the City by
the Potomac.

WASHINGTON. December 27.-The House
ways and means committee today listened
to an address by D.,J. Slade of Trenton. N.
j., on the subject of structural iron. He
stated that combination existed among the
producers OF structural iron but denied that
tne profits Of the business were too large.
They did not average more than per cent.
Unrestricted competition would lead to
bankruptcy. The manufacturers of beams
simply said to one another, ''Let us charge
Iair price for our own goods" No effort
was made to crush out firms that did not be-
long to the combination. No understanding
existed that production should be limited.
Gen. lmbodeD Of Virginia speaking for his
section of the country, favored the retention
OF the duty on coal and iron ore. He felt
ihat 1t would be wise policy to increase that
duty and contended that the coal, iron and
raiirodd industry of Virginia, Tennessee and
Kentucky would be imperiled if coal was
placed on the free list. Having stated that
coal from the Virginia coal fields was sold
10 the West lndies and Central America,
Gen. Imboden was asked by Mr.. Carlisle
whether the Virginia coal producers could
not compete in their own country with Nova
scotia coal. Gen. Imboden responded in
the negative. He declared that the abolition
Of the duty would ruin the coal industry in
Virginia. He represented unskilled labor.
Ihe men who worked in the ironmnes in the
South were principally negroes. These peo-
PIE had to be provided with work. If they
did not receive work, they would live on the
whites dishonesty. The negroes would not
steal, If they. could get work. The negroes
we're the best mine workers. Let
Wonld W0ng5ess denr;Ss DO tbaSs nothing which
an opportunity Of making an honest living
by delving In the ground with pick and
shovel. He (Gen. Imbodenl was protec-
ZIONIST and believed that if, in the South,
there could be square and fair vote on the
protection issue, without eXtraneous issues,
the protectionists would Overwhelmingly
carry at least four or five Southern States
II anybody was to be protected, he would
rather make Americans rich than Hungari-
ans, Italians or Belgians.
Mr.. Flower of New York, inquired wheGh-
er Gen. Imboden meant that the color line
against his sentiments Gen Imboden said:
We are compelled to stand together there.
Under certain conditions the tariff sinks into
In the recent election voted
with extreme reluctance, the Democratic
icket.'
Judge Bowling of Virginia argued in favor
Of the retention of the duty on iron ore. He
thought this matter of protection to the in
dustries of Virginia had become one of the
most important features in the determina-
tiou VI In6 race question:. farmlng QlQ not
pay in Virginia, and other labor must be
supplied to the negro. When he had labored
and received wages for it, he got little |
home and ceased to be politician.
Congressman Louis A. McComas of Mary |
and opposed the reduction of any duty on |
oituminous coal, holding that such reduction |
would not cheaper coal for the fireside but |
would paralyze an important industry and |
essen the price of its laber. 1t would strike |
/ heavy blow at the coastwise trade, would |
give cheaper and better coal to English
steamship lines. and help English capital de
ay the revival of American shipping.
o. M. Hitchins of Maryland, who former
y mined in Wales, testified that If the duty |
vas taken off coal, Welch coal could not be |
ept,0ut of the country.
james A. Sloan of Maryland, a practical
miner, urged that no change be made in the
luty on coal. he did not wish the wages of
he Maryland miners reduced to the Scotch
n Nova Scotian standard.
John Falkin Maryland miner followed |
n the same line. He protested gainst the |
eduction of the duty on coal.
John P. Otterson of Allegheny advocated |
IN increase of duty on enameled iron.