Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-01-04
WOOL TARIFF.
The Matter is Discussed Before the
House Committee.

House Committee.
WASHINGTON, January 3i.-Before the
House Committee of Ways and Means, this
morning, Carter Of Montana spoke in rela-
ton to sheep husbsndry, particularly on
the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains.
Shepherd, a wooi-grower of Texas, was
the next witness.
After some remarks by Walsh of Mis-
souri,, Hon. William Lawrence, of Ohio,
read a statement as the representative sent
by the National Wool Brokers Associa-
ton. He said that the wool-growers gen.
orally believed that q sound policy re-
auired the imposition OF such a
duty on so-called carpet wool as
would enable the American WOOL
growers to produce nearly all the wool
required for consumption in the United
States, shutting out foreign importations,
and giving the American wool-growers the
privilege of supplying all the carpet wool
required for consumption.
Boyne suggested that in order to save
time and give the other gentlemen an op-
portunity to address tRe Com mmission,
Lawrence's manuscript be printed without
being read. To this suggestion Lawrence
assented, with the condition that he make
a condensed statement of what his manu-
script contained. That clause was adopted,
and Lawrence went on with his remarks.
He would purposely, he said, omit the
tariff speech which he would like to make
in Congress, to the effect that adequate
duty on wool and manufactures of woolen
goods would not ultimately increase the
cost at all, because home competition
would prevent unreasonable charges; while
if the protective policy were abandoned
and all such products imported from
abroad the result would be that the Amer
lean people would be at the mercy of for
eign trusts and corporations.
Carlisle-"That argument rests on the
assumption that home industry will be
abandoned"
Witness-"Yes, the effect of tariff of 50
has been TO cut down vastly the number of
our sheep, and with free wool the wool in
dustry would be practically abandoned in
the United States"
James Dobson. Philadelphia carpet
manufacturer, denied the correctness of
many of Lawrence statements. He argued
that the Wool-growers of the United States
would and could not produce the quantity
of carpet wool used in that industry, be-
cause where they received 81 30 for the
fleece of a fne.wool sheep they would not
receive "a cents for coarse-wool sheep.
William Whitman of Boston, President
of the National Association OF Wool Manu-
facturers, said that the prevailing sentl-
ment in that organization was for the
maintenance, but not an increase of the
present duties. They would oppose any
attempt to restrict importation of foreign
wool. because it would be impossible for
wool manufacturers to produce all goods
necessary for home consumption unless
they could have foreign wool.
In reply to a question, Whitman SAID
rAr,lA fraa
wool enable manufacturers to make an i'm
preston on foreign markets. He thought
free wool would stimulate production and
give the manufactures an opportunity to
displace foreign product not used here /;
and he also thought that the effect of free
wool would be to diminish the price Of
wool. and consequently discourage sheep
raising. THE moment We begin to take
from the wool product suy given amount
OF wool the price will be raised and wool
becsaSe considerably dearer than now" be
said.l
TIC. Search, representing the Manufacture
er's Club of Philadelphia, declared himself
in harmony with Whitman's view. A state
ment TO like effect was made by W. ID. Fol-
well. cloth manufacturer of Philadelphia.
He announced himself in favor of putting
high duties on Southern products, such as
sugar, Ilcei tulpeutlHe anu PoanVse SHN ~
+, having free whisky and free tobacco. He
would tax the sugar that comes from
abroad, until we could supply the whole
demand ourselves.
John G. Plummer, Of New York, said the
country is suffering under the popular pre-
iudice that better cloths can be got abroad
| than here. At the same price, he declared
| there was no country where man could
| get as good suit Of clothes for as little
money as in the United States.