The morning call., 1894-01-19
FOR FREE TRADE.
Himself Protected by
Patents.
MR.. JOhNSON'S PATRIOTISM.
AS Shown by the Expose Made
by DalzeII.
HE PAID HIS MEN IN SCRIP.
Rather a Scorching Day for the
Most Rampant Free-Trader
i'm the House.
lR. JOhNSON'S PATRIOTISM.
HE PAID HIS MEN IN SCRIP.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S-The Presidents s
veto of the bill for the relief OF the pur-
chasers of timber and stone lands under
the act of June, 1878, was read at the
opening of the session of the Il HouSe to-day.
After reading the Senate bill for the con-
struction of the Chattanooga and Western
bridge across the Tennessee River. near
Chattanooga, consideration of the tariff
bill was resumed, and Johnson Democrat)
of Ohio offered his amendment placing on
the free list railway bars made in part of
steel, rails and girderS, street rails and
punched iron or steel fiat rails, which in
the bill are dutiable at 25 per cent. John
son explained his amendment by the slate
ment that steel rail pool existed which
paid the steel rail mills to close their
works and give them a monopoly of this
production. He said it was generally ad-
mitted that no revenue would be produced
from putting duty of 25 per cent on
them. The Ways and Means Committee
did not claim that i; would produce
revenue, and he asked the House either
to put steel rails on the free list or 10
show a good reason for not doing Sc.
Springer asked Johnson, who is himself
q steel-rail producer, whether the placing
of rails on the free list would drive rail
manufacturers out of business, to which
the latter replied that it would not Its
only effect would be 10 reduce the profits
of mill-owners.
That's what you're here for, / sup
pose" interposed Boutelle, sarcastically,
ito reduce your profits"
II am not here voting money into the
pockets of my stockbo olders," replied
johnson, emphaticaIly, amid applause.
Your patriotism has the element of
improbability about It," retorted Boutelle.
In further reply to Springer johnson
stated that his mill was not more favor
ably situated than others, and that it was
about the center of steel-rail production.
Dalzell (R.) of Pennsylvania BroceeGe
TO attack johnson. Steel rail produc-
tion," he said. was an important industry
in eleven States. The proposition was to
place steel rails on the free list and leave
the bille:s and blooms out of which they
were manufactured dutiable at 25 per cent.
Was that just? The steel rail Industry
was the most splendid monument of pro-
lection. Under its benefcent operation
the price of rails had gone down from $50
to S25.'
1.-The price went down here. What
brought it down abroad ?" asked John SON.
Inventive genius, stimulated by the es-
tablishment of the industry here" replied
Dalzell. "The wages paid abroad" con-
tinued DalZell, were 40 per cent lower
than here Any argument based on the
present price of rails is fallacous because
of the depressed condition of business at
this time. Johnson" he continued, sar-
castically, sought to give strength to bis
plea for free rails on the ground that he
himself was 10 anufacturer. He sought to
give the impression that he was in COM pc
tition with the mills of an alleged trust.
AS matter of fact he only manufactures
street railway rails and he has monopoly
of that production" Laughter and ap-
plause.
There are two other firms which make
street rails" said Johnson.
"Two Others" retorted Dalzell, con-
temptuously. you are practically mo-
nopoist all the same"
Dalzell went on to say that he held in
his hand copies of 102 patents issued tn
Moxham. president of the johnson Com
pany. They gave him a most complete
and despotic form Of protection, yet from
behind that wall of protection he assumed
the role of philanthropist, and wanted to
take protection away from the producers
Of railroad rails who had no patents. Re
publican applause.l Dalzell went on Sc
verely to criticize some of the statements
made by Johnson q few days ago. The
scrip with which he was paying his men.
DalZell said, was at a heavy discount.
When johnson stated the other day on the
floor. amid the plaudlts of the Democratic
side. that the scrip had been redeemed at a
premium he had stated what was not true,
and he knew it. He went to the steno.
grapher and changed what be had said, SC
as to make it read they redeemed it at par
The gentleman from Ohio had struck out
the words, but he did not strike out the
applause which they evoked. Laughter
and applause
At this point the House took a recess
until o'clock. At the night session Sib.
ley O) of Pennsylvania created something
of sensation by bitter speech against
the Wilson bill. he said he did not be.
lieve tariffs made or unmads prosperity
He would support, he declared. revenue
tariff bin such as was demanded by the
Chicago platform. but he would never vote
for this bill, which was hybrid, half free
trade and half protection, with the vice:
of both and the virtues of neither.
The other speakers were: McKeeghar
Pop.) of Nebraska. De Forest 3D. of Con
necticut and Russell (R.) of Connecticut.