The Indianapolis journal., 1893-09-13
WANT THE TARIFF LET ALONE
WOOlen Manufacturers Appeal to
the Democratic Thinkers.
Fear Of Adverse Legislation Has Stopped
Many Mills-Bynum's Fed
eral Election Bill.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 12.-The tariff hear
ings before the ways and means committee
continue with unabsted interest, and the
committee room is crowded day after day
with Interested hearers The time to-day
was set apart for the hearing of those in
terested In wool manufacture. A large
delegation interested in this industry ap-
peared before the committee. Those who
made arguments were compelled to under
go a thorough cross-eXamin ation at the
hands OF both Democrats and Republicans.
each side endeavoring TO elicit information
which would tend to uphold It's respective
position on the tariff question. The dele
CATION was composed of the following gen.
tlemen: s. n. ID. North aud William Whit
man, Boston: l.. b. Goodill. l.. NJ. Goodill
and John Hopwell, Sanford. Me-; William
H. Grundy. Charles Heben Clark. y. Pen
rose Allen. James Doak. jr.. and Charles h.
Salmon, PhIIsdelphis; S. w. ID. Fisher.
North Adams. Mass; Ii. L. James. Rock
vile. Conn.
The first speaker was Mr.. Clark. He
stated that the Manufacturers Clnb was
composed of mon who were engaged in the
manufacture of many articles. He read u
paper. signed by the officers and directors
of the club. protesting against any change
in the present tariff. The line of MIR.
Clark's arguments was that since the be-
ginning of the present year a wave of COM
mercIsl depression has sweDs over the
country, and. so far as the depression has
affected manufacturing establishments. he
believed 1t TO be, II considerable
measure. due TO the apprehension en-
tertained by manufacturers that there
would be fuliillment or tine threat
OF radical changes In the duties on
imported materials Manufacturers are
afraid to operate their mills: merchants
are afraid TO buy. Large numbers OF mills
have ceased operations completely. but q
much greater number are running upon
short time while the smallest hope OF bet
ter things remains. Many have already
been compelled TO reduce wages. It may
be doubted If more than one manufactur-
ing establishments In q hundred IL at this
moment working with the same mum Der or
persons. the same number of hours q week
as were employed IN September. 1872. He
expressed the opinion that relief may be
afforded instantly by an assurance that
the committee would not assail the tariff
law In such q manner as to expose manu-
fscturere To unequal competition from
European workingmen with u lover wage
scale.
Mr.. North followed. and read resolutions
adopted by the National Wool Manufaot-
urers' Association, which landed the Nc
Kinley bill. and deprecated the passage
OF any measures seeking To reduce the
tariff schedule on wool.
The next speaker was William Whitman,
who argued manly on the line that q high
protective tariff would not reduce the rev.
enue of the United States.
Theodore Justice. of philadelphia, was
next heard. He started out with the as.
sumption that it was she intention of the
committee TO put wool on the free list, and
anticipated that such action would result
In destroying the second largest agrl-
cultural industry in the country. MIR.
Justice consumed much time in dis splay IN
samples of wool. and explained in detail
processes used In securing. etc. the cost
of transportation In this country.
from London TO the United States. He
declared that the cost of transporting
wool from one portion of this country to
another was 200 per cent greater than the
cost of transportation from foreign coun-
tries 10 America. He said the wooden mills
throughout the country were being closed
daily and attributed it TO the fact that
President Cleveland had said that. within
few months wool would he placed on the
free list. lie added that the general de-
pressed condition of business was due to
the fear of suob legislation being enacted
Representatives Whiting. TarsDey and
Breckenridge endeavored TO have him ad-
NIT that other causes entered into the
present condition OF affairs, but he could
not be shaken from the position
that lack of confidence was the cause.
IF yon can get President Cleveland 20
say" oontlpued he. that he will veto any
measure affecting the wool industry, 80 per
cent. OF the closed mills will be In full
operation within three weeks"
Il think that Is q pure biut," remarked
Mr.. Whiting