The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-29
THE WOOL MEN PROTEST.

The wool merchants of Boston with
out regard to party affiliation gathered
this week at Boston hotel to protest
against the passage Of the wool schedule
in the Wilson tariff bill. Representa-
tives of over hundred firms were in at.
tendance and the gathering, as Chairman
Chamberlain announced, was represen-
tative one. For the first time in the
history of the wool trade of Boston, the
second largest wool centre in the United
States, an assemblage of wool merchants
met as such to discuss business affairs
relating to their own industry. The
chairman well said that few outside the
wool and wooden industries of the
country realize the immense Importance
the impending tariff legislation will have,
if enacted, upon wool and woolens and
the dire effect that will result in invested
interests and the balance Of trade. In
discussing probable tariff legislation
he spoke for this great industry
and declared that "we have no sympa-
thy with the call for speedy action,
which, il obeyed, would be sure to
result in poor legislation. In other
words the cry of "pass anything in the
shape of tariff bill to end this sus-
pense," is a cry hostile to this and other
great interests, and would, If complied
with, result in serious disaster to them.
The meeting adopted a memorial TO
be forwarded to Congress protesting
against the wool and wooden schedules
as fixed by the amended Wilson bill.
The protest says: =
That the wool producing industry of the United
states and Territories, already the third largest OF
the world, needs only an adequate protection TO
the product OF the most prolific Of the
English colonies, is shown by the fact that
removal III the increase n sss over 1892 was over s
100000 pounds bringing the product OF the last
sss 70 ,ns s sum s q podnds
20 be transferred from our own people TO the hands
Of the ioreigner' Already in single year from the
nock Of the United states has shrank in numbers
from H,2's,sss TO 4s,o.soi7 In single year
value Of their sheep decline from si25 sOs 2si on
u Il n
shrinkage Of about s37,o000oo In this brief period
and II we take into account the shrinkage in
value Of farm and ranch property devoted TO the
sheep industry during the twelve months, we
may say. without any fear OF contradiction
that the direct loss the nxed property of wool
growers during one year has been not less than
$4,000 900. But this IL not all. ~ Is very moder-
estimate to state that the decline in the value
of the wool taken from these sheep In 1898 reduced
the purchasing power Of the wool growers by at
least go, 900, 900 more
IN such losses have already been inflicted by the
possibility Of passing this bill who shall measure
the damage 20 follow u the bill becomes law9
Will the Senate take cognizance of
such an appeal as this? IL does not
bear the stamp Of partisanship. IL is not
the product Of party leaders written
as campaign document, but IL Is the
sentiment Of business men. Democrats
and Republicans, crystalized in the most
trenchant manner, showing the dire
effects upon a flourishing industry of
such hostile legislation.
We are told that the United States
cannot produce all the wool we need,