The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-13
an uSsousD coSrxsr1os.

AN UNsOUSD CONTENTION.
Quite number Of gentlemen protesting
10 Represent this, that or another s.im-
rerillea interest" have appeared before
The Senate Committee on Finance. In OPP
position to this. that or another schedule
of tbs Mckinley bill As rule these gem
tIemen profess 10 Be Republicans and pro-
tsctionists, but judged by their statements
10 the committee they are. almost without
exception. In favor only Of such protection
~ viii benefit themselves and the industry
with which they are severaIly connected,
and opposed to any that implies any con-
cession to the general principle At their
banda.
Massachusetts, manufacturers have APP
peaFcd protesting unaffected devotion TO
the principle OF protecting their maanfac-
lures. but protesting in equally unaffected
terms to tbs protection Of their American
compatriots who supply them with raw
materials in competition with the same
materials produced In foreign lands. And
this il the spirit which has actuated all pro-
'eseed pfotectiohisss who have put in an
appearance and uttered protests. Theirs Is
the professionalism which means turkey for
themselves and buxxard for eli the balance
Of the country. sauce for their goose, but
eravyiess gandef for ali others OF their
countrymef1.
Protests from the importers were TO
he expected, and the great army OF inn
rorsers who have quit their business and
spent few dollars on trip to Washing
ton in opposition to the bill. Ia. ~ has been
remarked before in these columns. the high
est tribute that could be offered to It's
merits. for It Is bat fair 10 confess that a
protective tariff which Is trnly protective OF
American producers and productions. Is
not calculated or designed TO build up or
strengthen tho importing business.
But among the protests made by inn
porsess. that which attacks the linen
schedule has commanded more general re-
spect than most others. It has been sup
ported by Ingenious statements. generally
accepted - correct. that while our people
consume an enormous amount of linens
aud other products of the FAX fiber, siax
produced In this country To the required
extent OF with any profit. The public,
feeling forced 10 accept this "a true, has
felt inclined to doabs the wisdom OF i'm
creasing the linen tariff to increase the cost
TO the consumer without any cempensasing
advantage in the building up os hone in-
dgstYy.
But the depAr iment OF agriculture has
hcan induced 10 make q careful investiga-
ton Of this matter. the results of which
have been communicated 10 the country by
Mr.. c. r. Dodge through the columns Of
EsssGsfsesss. and they show most conel.,.
ssyeiy that this is an unsoand contention.
II Is shown that during The past year fisx
in considerable quantities. was grown In
this country well adapted 10 the manafsc-
tire Of flne linen. In several places good
crash was made from the fiber of fax
grown last year for sesd. Ii T. further
shown that there is no material difference
between the average temperature. or in re-
sEccs 10 humidity. between the fsax-srow.
ms states ct cur country and those por.
rfcns al Earoge in which that industry is
successfully prosecuted. Mr.. Dodge conn.
IDENTIFY claims that If the straw O. the far
row grown for seed were properly iookes,
alter and handled IL would at onee become
avaiashie article of manufacture aud COM
msrce In conclusion he says; Farmers
have been forced 10 pay from 10 10 ~ cents
rsr peaad for binder twine from imported
cher. when kinder twine from Western
FAX STRAW can be sold for : cents per
pound, capable Of resisting a strain Of
ninety pounds. | have four halls ef sucA
twine On nay desk at tass time, aud il Is
ssFss-elass Irvine.
hs.s whatever may bs said Of the country
As whaie, there eaa he 40 doubt about The
ss!apsahllssy OF the Puget Sound section AZ
il 10 the successful prosecution OF this In
eustvy Ia tire RASTER az set sua humid.
isv OF atmosphere sals seetsoa is striklnesv
similar to That portion OF Ireland IN whlch
the gfewins ant hssscaanr Of Gar ara sAe
manufacture 81 linen caassisuss sAe ehses
saAussFy. The happlest. saoss eensentea
aud naoss prosperous rorsson Of the sN>pu-
lsssoa ct Efxssad are those s,s Isand onsgeyrw
nown ard Antssm. b. make Of FAX ce,s.
sure and lsnvn rasnaGaesure their cAsef r.-
ssAnes, aud trom whence she thriving city
Of Belfast aerivss saess q rs wealth ana
impsvsaaes, II il an industry in whsen.
esyeaa any other exeses six culture.
rastsoa ~ the time q the entire haassAa.a
may t< utilized. villa tie advantage ov~r
six ealsare thai this can he effected ana
what woaid otherwise be ksse time esn te
sarusd 10 rresI. wssaeas seriously sassssss-