Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-29
COAL. IRON AND TOBACCO,
what Is Thought Here About the Effects
Upon These Industries.

The new tariff bill prepared by the DEM
ocratic members Of the Ways and Means
Committee, a synopsis of which was given
in the Dispatch Of yesterday was con-
slderably discussed in business and indus
trial circles here during the day.
Touching, however, the effects OF its
provisions upon many articles with which
IL deals il was difficult to get opinions.
The majority OF persons approached by
the Dispatch representative for their views
asked time TO read the synopsis more
carefully In order that they might more
carefully digest II.
Coal and Iron Ore.
Mr.. James r. Werth. who has had long
experience In cOal-mining operations, and
has paid a great deal of attention TO the
industries mainly dependent upon the coal
supply, was interviewed as TO the effect
OF putting coal and iron ore on the free
list Mr.. Werth said:
II think the effect will be to restore the
operation Of natural laws.
Cities on tie Atlantic coast viii draw
much Of their manufacturing fuel from
Nova Scotia, and iron ore from Africa
and Spain because OF the cheapness OF
water transportation; this will revive
iron manufacturing on the coast. The
cost Of manufacturing I'm the interior will
hardly be effected by the change. as those
close TO coal and iron are now getting
their raw material as cheap as those on
the coast can hope TO buy the imported
equal, the total cost OF the productions
will be principally affected by the employ
ment Of ample capital, and the skill and
cost OF labor.
''The greatest profits will accrue to those
manufacturers who have access TO the
best markets, and enjoy the lowest rate of
freight upon their finished products.
Loss TO THE RAILROADS.
'The greatest losses will be sustained by
the railroads which deliver coal at Tide
water. l think wage-earners in these in
dnstries will be little affected by the
change. They rarely earn more than a
that. On the whole, free coal and iron
ore will injuriously affect the interests
OF Virginia. Her ample resources are now
being developed in the Southwest by capi-
talsts who are investing there on ac-
count OF the nearness of coal and ore TO
the plant This will stop.
with free coal and ore furnace at any
centre of distribution. II on Tidewater,
a free list. Every article imported should
be taxed ad valorem. There Is no reason
why eastern cities should have free coal
and ore any more than that the western
farmer should be taxed unduly on his
plow. Both are unjust"
AMERICA FOR AMERICANS.
Ma. Arthur B. Clarke. president OF the
Old Dominion Iron and Nall Works Com
pany. when asked what he thought would
be the effect of the proposed new bill on
Il endorse first last and all the time
the sentiment OF America for Ameri-
cans. The placing on the free list OF
goods produced In this country means that
and the government will fail to receive a
revenue. which II needs. IL further means
that the labor used In this country must
cease 10 produce these goods. or II must
woIs at such wages as are paid abroad.
This Is Democratic Republican govern
ment. not monarchy. and her citizens
who hold the supreme power should be
men OF Intelligence. and not mere animals.
I'VE are told iron ore and coal are raw
materials To who,l? Only TO the miner
When. he has blasted. msned, cleaned.
and placed them In condition for use or
transportation they are 10 him finished
material In no commercial or manu.
featuring sense are coal and ore raw ma
terials any more than are cloth, buttons,
and coat-linings. IL should not be so.
Under protective system, begun short
~ after. the Independence OF this govern
ment. these United States have become
the greatest producer OF iron In the world.
our sister State, Alabama, has within a
few years risen from purely agricultu-
raj State 10 the third place as an iron
producer. and Virginia has within the
past six pears risen from the seventeenth
to the sixth place as an iron-producer.
The mining and transportation OF the
coal and ore To produce these great re-
should not be reduced TO the condition OF
the operatives OF mines In spain, Algeria.
and Cuba.
''The present rate OF Is cents per ton
might have been reduced 10 20 cents with
out serious injury. but 10 place these great
materials. whose cost Is almost entirely
labor. on the free list is q mistake by
which the government will lose a large
revenue. and serious damage may result
to mining interests
cas- 10 pig-lron. i e wen known that