The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-20

Mayor Henry S. Trout, president OF
the First National Bank, aud a citizan
largely interested in the business affa;re
OF this city, and Demecra. mono more
loyal than whom can be found n this Sc c.
tion' was seen yesterday by a TIMES man
and questioned upon the tariff measures
asunfolded by the Wilson bill, which WAS
introduced into the House of Represents
tives yesterday afternoon.
Mr. Trout manifested his interest in
the stand THE TIMES is taking against
the placing of soft coal, iron ore, salt
and agricultural products upon the free
list and the reduction of the duty upon
pig iron to 22x per cent ad valrrem.
DE expressed his appreciation @; the
efforts being made to defeat the pro
visions OF this bill, which would work
SO much injury and possibly cause the
destruction OF the industries upon
for Its future progress.n
In general way Mayor Trout re
viewed the situation in this sec ton and
commented upon the possible condition.
should the Wilson bill, in its entiretv.
become = law. Mr.. Trout said he was
and had boon tariff man, not foranex
cessive, but in favor OF moderate tariff.
VI am believer" as he said, sin tho
tariff platform Of the Democratic party
as laid down at Chicago, but do not
believe it is necessary or in harmonv
with those declarations to have coal and
iron ore placed upon the free list"
what do you think" was asked,
would be the ultimate effect of having
those products so placed?"
III we had free coal and FREQ IRON"
replied Mr.. Trout, 81 believe it would
transfer the iron ore industry TO the
coast and the industries OF our own Sec
tion would suffer thereby. If the Cuban
and African ores are to be let into this
country free of duty and there should
also be free coal, then furnaces would
be started up upon the coast where
cheap freight rates could be secured
| The iron ore could come in ballast and
Do brought to those towns at little or no
expense. What affects the coal and
iron industries aifect s the Interests of
all our inland States or sections verv
materially"
"Will the placing of coal on the free
list help or in anywise benefit the
masses or consumers of this section or
the inland section?"
II do not believe that it will" Mr..
Trout replied. 1T will benefit those
people on the coast. especially in New
| England, whore the Pocahontas coal
now has great market, but l cannot
see how it can reduce the price OF it to
the consumer situated as we are awsv
from the coast. where long hauls by
railroads would be necessitated after
the product is laid down at the seaport
towns by steamers or sailing vessels
from Nova Scotia"
DO you think that united stand
should be made by the people of this
section against the placing of these ar
ticles on the free list?"
Yes, would echo the sugges ton
made by HE TINES the other day that
q N ass meeting OF the citizens should be-
| calle1 TO consider these matters and
such action taken as will strongly show
our opposition to the proposed measure.
1t may not be expedient co call meet
ting just at present, for the bill will not
be considered until after the holidays,
but l think that the cities and towns
throughout this section ought to take q
united stand when the time comes.
This proposed legislation will paral-
Jze the coal and iron ore industries in
this section and these establishments
| are what nave contributed 60 the
building up of Roanoke and upon which
the city must depend for it's future pro-
gress. 1t is not the few who ara to be
oenehtted by the defeat Of the measure,
but 1T is tho masses in this section
whose interests will be best promoted
by the continuance of these industries.
| II am Democrat" said Mr.. Trout,
and always have been, but these
are my views upon the subject and be-
| heVe that the greater benefit Of the
masses can be obtained by the defeat
OF these provisions OF the tariff bill az
| proposed"
OPPOSITION ABOUT OVER.