The Helena independent., 1893-09-06
THE WOOL GROWERS MEET
The Annual Session Of the Asso-
citation Convenes at Great
Falls
Wages Of Employees and the In
terests of the Industry
Discussed.
Protest Against Unfavorabis Action bv
Congress- Ksgardless OF Politics u
senator Should be Elected.

GREAT FALLS, Sept. b.-The sheepmen of
northern Montana met to-day. Paris Glib
son presided and j. H. Kice acted as secre-
tary. The commit 60 on nominations re.
ported tho following officers for the ensuing
dent. B. Q. Waite; secretary. J. II. Kice;
sressurer. A. w. KinRsbury; with an e1ecu-
tive committee Of j. o. MoNaupht, J. E.
Bower. H. H. Nelson, Geo. ID. Patterson
and Charles ONeal. The report was ac-
oepted unanimously. The committee on
resolutions reported as follows:
Whereas. Tho present low price of wool
and consequent depreciation Of sheep and
oil other property pertaining TO the wool
growing industry have entailed absolute
bankruptcy and irreparabls loss TO all par
ties intersstsd. and.
Whereas. The changed condition of our
business demands radical change in the
manner Of conducting the same, therefore.
be IL
Resolved, BY the Montana WoolRrowers
association. in convention assembled. that
We expect and insist that our employees
shall accept scale Of wages commensurate
with the Depreciation ON the value of the
product.
Resolved. That any unfavorabls lsRisla-
tion in the immediate future would in
tensify the present dsplo' able condition Of
our business. and ws therefore ask our
representatives in congress TO use their best
endeavors to prevent the placing of wool
on the FREQ list.
But two topics of discussion came before
the association. First, "What shall we pay
employer" resolution shat $25 for
ranch hands and $50 for herdeIs 10 just and
reasonable wages was at first tabled. but
afterwards passed. 1t was decided that six
cents with board or seven without was rsAs-
enable compensation for shesring.
1t was understood that no member was
bound BY tho resolution adopted. IL being
merely an expression of common opinion.
Handling and marketing wool called out
remarks favosing concentration at vario %
points which would become markets where
in wool would bs sold direct and cash paid
Billings. Great Falls. Big Timber and Fort
Benton wsrs suggested as suoh points; the
association should unite in drawing cash
buyers to these places.
d. E. Folsom was appointed special del
egats TO the national convention at Chicago
and the secretary was directed TO issue
credentials TO any members who might 60
there at the time.
During the session q telegram was ro-
ceivsd from I. G. Power stating that the
secretary OF the Woolen Manufacturers
association would appear before tho house
committee next week to urge the immediate
placing of wool upon the free list.
The following resolution was adopted:
1.-THE woolsrovers of Montana respectfully
petition congress that the duty ON wool be
not reduced. and If our petition be not
granted that any legislation tending To-
wards reduction Of the duty Be SO wor rded
after passage. for tho reasons that the
prosperity of large portion Of tho popula-
tion Of the state. entirely dependent on the
success of the woola owing industry, have
been obliged to incur heavy expenses in
making available preparations to carry on
tho industry suooessfully. Many parties
are heAvily in debt In consequence, and il q
free wool bill is passed they would become
bankrupt. Owing to our geographical
position and rigorous climate the expense
of conducting the bueiness Of woolgrowinR
in the state 10 much greater than In other
countries whore large numbers of sheep are
kept; sheds for shelter and hay for feeding
have to be IN nishsd at great expense
wages Of employees are higher and rates oi
transportation to seabosrd markets greater
than In the countries of South America
and Australia