The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1895-12-24
CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL
WOOL GROWERS ASSO-
CATION.
Correspondence of the Progress sive Farmer:

Markham, Secretary, called meeting
of the Association to assemble at the
Ebbitt House, Washington, D. O., on
Dece mber Ash, with view OF asking
Congress that in any revenue measure
which might be enacted, there should
be corporated protection duties for the
wool Industry. The call invited not
only members of the Association, but
also sheep producers and wool dealers
60 unite in a conference.
The National Association of Wool
Growers met at the Ebbitt House on
Wednesday, December 45h, 1895, and
has been in session three days. Sixteen
States are represented. Judge Law
renee had prepared memorial to Con
gress covering the whole subject of the
wool tariff, and this memorial has been
for three days under discussion The
memorial has been nearly all agreed
to but the rates of duty to be asked for
by the wool growers have not been
finally decided upon.
Another question which will come
before the Association is whether the
duties which the ASS 1ciation regards
as essential as a permanent policy shall
now be asked for, or whether a some
what modified proposition shall be
made to Congress as temporary ex-
pedient. This question is not yet de-
termiRed.
During the three days session, the
debates have been very animated, with
some differences of opinion as to minor
details, yet with substantial concur
rercy of opinion as to all the PROPOSE
tion discussed.
The National Association of Wool
Manufacturers sent to Judge Lawrence
to be presented to the National Asso-
citation of Wool Growers, now in ses
sion, a resolution as follows:
ResolUed, That the National Associa-
tion of Wool Manufacturers, adhering
to the conviction that an impartial ap
plication of the principle of protection
is essential to the complete and uni
form development of the industrial in
terests of tho nation, earnestly seconds
the appeal of the Wool Growers for a
duty for wool.
The discussions have developed the
fact that since the socalled Mckinley
Act of 1890 was passed, conditions have
so changed that the duties prescribed
by the Act are found to be wholly in
ad6 quate. At the time this Act was
passed, it was intended to be sufficient
ly protective, but provision was un-
fortunately Incorporated in the Act
which was known as the "Skirting
Clause" which with light shrinkage
in Australian wool has, to large ex-
tent, defeated the purposes of the Act.
The nominal duty of IL cents, pro-
vid9d by the law, is to be, in practical
effect, only 6 cents per pound in Ohio
and similar washed merino woods,
when the law was intended to give
more than double that. The discussions
show that this effect of the law is not
generally understood by the wool
growers, and the National Association
will ask for notifications of the law
which will remedy this defect
Then, too, the reduction in wool
prices, since 1890, in the market of the
world, have been 80 great as to re quire
more effective protection than the Nc
Kinley Act would give, under con-
ditions now existing.
At o'clock this afternoon the Asso-
citation adjourned, to resume the con
sideration of the memorial to Congress
to morrow morning at 10 o'clock.
President Lawrence furnished the
Associated Trade and Industrial Press,
on request, a copy of letter addressed
to him, which shows the effect of free
wool in Colorado. 1t is as follows:
TRINIDAD, Col, Dec. 1, 1895.
Hon. Vim Laurence, President Ma
ti0nGI Association Wool GrOWers:
SIR:-It is about two years since the
wool growers of Colorado met in con
vention to consult on the future in this
State. Congress was then in session
with the avowed purpose of placing
wool on the free list. The wool indus
try was then the seventh in magnitude
of the industries of the State. We then
felt that free wool would be a death
blow to the business, and a financial
ruin to those engaged in it.
Our fears have been fully realized.
Tne price of our wool has been reduced
from 16 cents to cents per pound the
price of o1r mutton has been reduced