St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-19
RAILS ON The FREE LIST.
THAT rs WHAT FREE TRADE JOHNSON
DEMANDS.
LIVELY TALK I'm THE HOUSE

Tho Ohio Democratic Manufnc CT
urer Wants to Bust the Steel
Rail Pool Which Pays Mills to
Close and Give 1t a Monopoly
Of This Production-Dalz
Defends Protection.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1S.-Almost the
entire day in the house was spent in the
continuation of the debate on Mr.. Bur-
rows amendment to restore the exist
Ing duties Oh wool, with the result of
It's defeat by strict party vote. About
an hour before the recess, Mr.. johnson,
the Ohio free trader and single taxer,
offered his amendment to place rails on
probably probably prove to be one of
the most Interesting discussions of the
present tariff debate.
MIR. johnson Dem., o. was recog-
nlzed to offer 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 % per
cent.
Mr.. johnson explained that his
amendment included, in paragraph us,
glfder steel rails specifically, so that
there could be no misunderstanding
about that class of rails. That steel
rail pool existed which paid steel
rail mills to close their works,
and gave them monopoly of
this production. he said was generally
admitted. No revenue would be pro-
duced from putting duty of 25 per
cont on them, the ways and means COM
lnittee did not claim that it would pro-
duce revenue, and he asked the house
either to put SteeLrails on the free list,
or show good reason for not doing so.
Mr.. Springer asked Mr.. Johnson, who
is himself steel rail producer, whether
placing steel rails on the free list would
drive rail manufacturers
OUT OF THE BUSINESS,
to which the latter replied that it would
not. Its only effect would be to reduce
the profits of the mill owners.
THAT'S what you are here for, | sup
pose," interposed Mr.. Boutelle, sar-
casticaily, Ito reduce your profits"
Il am not here voting money into the
pockets Of my stockholders" replied
Mr.. johnson, amid applause.
Your patriotism mas an element of
improDability about it,'' retorted Mr.
Boutelle.
In further reply to Mr.. Springer, Mr..
johnson stated that his mill was not
more fayorably situated than others, but
was i'll about tue center of steel produc-
ton. ,-...-.... -e. -
Mr.. Dalzell. the Republican repre-
sentative from the Pittsburg (Pa.) dis
trlct. then proceeded to attack Mr..
johnson.
Steelerail production, he said, was an
important Industry in eleven states.
This proposition was to place steel rails
on the free list, and leave biIlets and
blooms, out of which they were manu-.
factured, dutiable at 25 per cent. Was
that just?
The steel rail industry was the most
splendid monument OF protection. Uu-
der its beneficent operation the price of
rails had gone down from $50 to s25.
I'll the price went down here, what
bought IL down abrOad"' asked Mr..
johnson.
1.-The Inventive genius stimulated by
the establishment of the industry here"
replied Mr.. DalZell.
Wages paid abroad, continued Mr.
Dalzeil, were 40 per cent
LOWER THAN HERE.
Any argument based Oh the present
price of rails was fallacious, because of
the depressed condition OF business at
this time.
Mr.. johnson. he continued, sarcastic
ally, sought to give strength to his plea
for free rails on the ground that he was
himself manufacturer. He sought to
give the impression that he was in COM
petition with the mills in the alleged
trust. As a matter of fact. he only
manufactured street railway rails, and
he had monopoly of that production.
"There are two other firms which
make street rails" said Mr.. Johnson.
1.-Two Others" retorted Mr.. Dalzell
contemptuously. You are practically
a mOnopoliSt all the SaRle.''
Mr. DalZell went Oh to say that he
held in his hand copies of the l02 patents
issued to MoXham, the president of the
Johnson company. They gave him the
most complete and deSpOtic form of
protection, yet from behind that wall of
protection he assumed the role of phil.
anthropist anu wanted TO take the pro-
lection away from tue producers of
railroad rails who had no patents.
Mr.. Dalzell went on to severely criti-
else some of the statements made by
Mr.. Johnson few days ago. The scrip
with which he was paying his men, Mr..
Dalzell said, was at heavy discount.
When Mr.. johnson stated the other day
on the floor, amid the plaudits of the
Democratic side, that that scrip had
been redeemed at premium, he stated
what was not true, aud he knew 1t. He
went to the stenographer and changed
what he said. so as to make 1t read that
they were redeemed at par. The gen.
tleman from Ohio struck out the words.
but he did not strike out the "applause''
which they evoked.
at this point the house took a recess
Until O'Clock tonight.
At the night session Mr.. Sibley Dem.,
Pa.) created something of sensation oy
bitter speech against the Wilson BILL
He said that he did not believe that tar
IFS made or unmade prosperity. He
would support revenue tariff bill, such
as was demanded by the Chicago plat
form, but he would never vote for this
bill, which was hybrid, half free trade
and half protection, with the vices Of
both and the virtues of neither.
The other speakers were Mr.. Mckee
CHAN Pop, Neb.), MIR. De Forest Dem,
Conn.) and Mr.. Russell (Rep., Comm.
Too k Prussic Acid.
PORT HURON, Mich, Jan. 1S.-H.B.F.
Odell, real estate dealer of Chicago.
committed suicide at the Huron house
bV taking chlOrOfOrm and nruScic ooid