The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-25
FOREIGN WOODS NECESSARY,

The Helena Journal, in replying to
The INDEPENDENTS argument on free
wool devotes a great part of it's space to
attacking the American Wool and Cot
ton Reporter, a journal noted as among
the most reliable and reputable of trade
publications, and bases the remainder
of it's discussion on the statement that
all wool necessary for the manufacture
Of wooden goods can be grown in this
country. To begin with, it is most alb
surd for our contemporary to state that
imported goods are not necessary, from
the fact that our manufacturers have
been forced to import certain woods in
order to continue business. Is it to be
supposed that opportunities are being
overlooked, if it is a fact that all grades
OF wool necessary for manufacture can
be grown in this country?: II this is SO,
is it reasonable to suppose that manu-
facturers would continue the importa-
ton of certain grades of foreign grown
woods? We take it that our contempt
rary will hardly refute reliable statistics
by denying that the importations of
woods have largely increased under the
increased duties of the Mckinley bill.
This should be sufficient evidence that
these woods are an absolute necessity.
Now, if it is true, as the journal states,
that under the protective tariff America
will, in time, become absolutely indie
pendent of foreign woods and will pro-
duce all qualities required, why, under
the sun have we not reached that pc
Rod long before this? The woolgrow-
ing industry is, by no means, new in
this country, which keeps pace with
other countries in all things where ne
cessary conditions exist. We have,
likewise, long enjoyed the blessings of a
beneticent protective tariff, which, 1T is
alleged, will be instrumental in the real
ization of the Journals prophecy.
Now, then, since the Journals mex
cnsable assault on the American Wool
and Cotton Reporter, we beg leave tc
offer a quotation from the Stock Grower,
a farmers paper published at Las Vegas
N. NJ. II it is published in the interest
Of the large and numerous wooden man
ufactorles at Las Vegas, we are not in,
formed. But, in speaking of the Springer
bill, it says: "The manufacturers ought
to be in favor of the passage of such F;
law. Nor ought the woolgrowers to ut
ter a word of disapproyal. The admis
sion, duty free, OF the different varietiel
of wool not grown in the United States
but which the manufacturer must use
for mixing purposes if he is to compel,
with foreign manufacturers IN turning
out all kinds of goods, would add to thu
demand for domestic woods and would
enhance its price. The manufacturer
having free access to all tho woods b.
needed, would not be driven, as he il
now, to the excessive use of cotton ant
shoddy. At present the so-called wooler
goods which people buy are. to a grea
extent, a mixture of wool, shoddy ane
cotton; free wool would give them tn
genuine article at the price they no,
pay for short-lived limitations"
AS The INDEPENDENT said the othe
day, Montana wool is, best Of al
adapted to the mixing with imported
woods, which must be had. II thes
woods from abroad can be brought i
duty free the manufacture of woolel
goods must necessarily increase, an
with this must come an increased de
mand for Montana wool.