The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1895-02-28
FACTS ABOUT WOOL.


structive manner, and we herewith re-
produce it, for the benefit of those who
have arguments about the benefits OF
"free wool" constantly dinged into their
ears. The Bulletin says:
The secured cost of American wool
went down practically to the free trade
level in 1898, in anticipation OF the
change, Wool has fallen in the United
States since 1898, but it has also fallen
abroad. Wool has been actually free
since last August. but as far as cost OF
production is concerned American wool
has been on free wool basis for a year.
1t is instructive, therefore to place the
actual results of this agitation beside
the pledges of the agitators.
The Prophecy. wool would
rise in price to the American level.
The Fact.-American wool dropped to
the foreign level and tor three months
after the enactment of free wool both
AulCIScth Wool uSNhhN'.
2.
The Prvphecy-More American wool
would be required for mixing and the
American clip and flock would increase.
The fact.-The American hock dropped
1925, $50 IN one year. The amount OF
wool shorn from American sheep de-
clined in one year IL 800, OcO pounds.
The prophecy.-American wool rails
ers would prosper.
The Fact.-In many districts the sheep
have not even paid expenses. The loss
to American wool growers in the shrink
age OF value Of sheep and wool in one
year amounts to SIS, 100000.
4.
The Prophecy.-Foreign manufacture
ers would rush into the markets of the
world" for American wool stimulating
the price.
The Fact.-In the ten months ending
October 80, 1892, we exported 2O1 ,4s5
pounds of American wool. In the ten
months ending October 80, 1894, we ex-
ported 1874. $40 pounds. Neither amount
is appreciable in country that pro-
duced in 1893, 365, 600, 900 pound #
wool. The export is still mainly, as it
has been, small lots sold at sacrihce to
get rid of them.
The Prophecy.-A better demand for
fine all wool goods would spring up
owing to the decrease in the price OF
cloth (which has taken place. A small
er proportion Of wool substitute would
be used, and smaller proporti OF low
grade goods manufactured.
The Fact.-High grade, all wool goods
have suffered more than any other
variety. Low grade goods are relative
" much better sellers. In the ten
months ending October 80, 1894 1.-THE
last statistics available), we impo rted
1881, 1915 pounds of waste, rags, and
si,oddv; in the ten months ending o.
tober 80. 1892, but 1 $50 pounds
6,
The PrOpllecv.-Am mills would
sell more goods than ever and the in
creased bu ess would increase wage 1.
The Fact.-American mills have been
running on part time and have only Sc
cured orders by sharp reductions in
price. followed bv reductions in wages,
with the usual accompaniment OF
strikes.
The PrOphecy.-America with wool
reduced to 4 foreign level would rival
England and export wooden goods all
over the world.
The Fact.-Wool has been practica lly
on the foreign leval for year. In the
ten months ending October 81, 1894.
we exported wooden goods to the value
Of $61S.6S7, in the same period in 1898
to the value of $4O4. 465. The increase,
however, was mostly i'll carpets, aud
that sudden demand is now wing away,
the export Of American carpets in Octo-
Der. 1894. being but 1885, yards,
against SO. 1856 yards IN October, 1898.
though carpet wool was not on for
eign level in 1898, but higher in cost in
America than abroad at the time of the
larger expectation of carpets.
The Proph.cy.-A general cheapening
to the Consumer, resulting in great com
tort at less expense.
The Fact.-The purchasing power of
the consumer being reduced, together
with the price of the articles CONSUMED,
the people are at least, no better off
than they were before. In manv cases
they are much worse off. There has
been reduction in the price OF dress
goods. but the retail price of clothing is
little, if at all, lower that it was two
years ago. Manufacturers and jobbers
of clothing are doing small business
and cannot afford to do it on so small q |
The blessings OF free wool is ours at
least. We have harder battle than be- /
tore with foreign manufactured goods. |
We have gained no foreign markets. |
Our mills are neither as well nor as |
profit Il ply employed as in 1892. They |
have not even found it desirable to subs
titute any but Australian for domestic |
wool at the same price. The net re-
suits have been the lowering of the price |
Of American wool to an improbable |
oasis without any perceptible benefit to |
any person concerned.
The American wool grower has as |
much right to protection as the Ameri- |
IAN manufacturer. A moderate adval- |
prem duty on wDol would hamper no |
industry. and justice demands that IN |
the days to come the American raiser of J
wool shall at least be treated as we'll as :
he American raiser OF figs and peanuts. I
/,
Caucus.
The electors of the towship of Sank /