The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-17
sheepmen Express Their Views.

Pursuant to call Of the National WOOL
Growers Association, delegates of local as@
sociations and prominent wool growers COM
vened at Washington City December to
promote the re-enactment of a duty on
wool. Wool growers from Maine to New
Mexico, and delegates Of various organlza-
tons were present, representing the breed-
ers Of New York, Pennsylvania and ONO,
and the ranches Of Texas and the Rocky
Mountains.
opening address as president Of the Nation
al Association, depicted the losses OF
growers, the ruinous decline in prices, the
encouragement which has caused neglect
of f1ocks and abandonment Of sheep hus-
bandry, as result of free wool. He urged
the necessity, to prevent the destruction OF
the wool industry, of immediate relief, by
such measure Of duty as might be posslble
now, with a more complete and adequate
adjustment Of detail of wool schedules later.
He assumed from President Clevelands de-
sire, expressed in his message, to cooper
ate with congress in measures promising
relief, and to GLADLY labor with them IN
every patriotic endeavor to further the In
terests and guard the welfare of our coun-
trymen," that he would not oppose rea-
sonable duty in aid Of needed revenue,
especially as he had himself presented In
strong terms the inconsistency of leaving
wool free while placing a duty upon coal
and iron ore.
Mr.. Theodore Justice, the Philadelphia
wool dealer, estimated the loss in value of
wool at $4O 900 900, and In sheep at $50, 100000.
with more prospective losses from decrease
in numbers. When asked why prices had
gone up In Europe while remaining un1m-
proved in this country, he said that British
mills were working night and day making
clothes for America, while many OF our
mills are idle.
Mr.. John G. Clark, Of Washington county,
Pa, president Of a local association, re-
ported the condition of wool growing in
that former stronghold of sheep husban-
dry. That county had 100000 of the finest
Merinoes in the country, worth So per head
which are now selling at rs cents to 81, and
numbers have been reduced from a tnlro
to one half.
Capt B. L. Crouch, delegate from the
Texas Wool Growers Association. present.
ed brief history of the development or
sheep husbandry there, showing Its STEADY
growth from less than 100000 sheep in 1870
to over 100000, and decline In numbers
to scarcely over 100000 at the present
time; and decline in average value OF
wool from Is cents to IA cents in 1894.
Now few lambs are raised and sheep are
fattened and sold as rapidly as possible.
The business would soon be ann1h1lated
but for the expectation of a new duty,
though millions Of acres Of lands in Texas
are almost valueless except for sheep pas
turage He claimed that Texas could carry
80, 900, 900 sheep If wool could command a
paying price.
Hon. T. B. Catron, delegate to congress
from New Mexico, himself a wool grow
err, stated that there were probably 3,000,-
600 sheep in the territory, held without
much reduction in numbers in the hope OF
remedial legislation, but neglected, part
of them unshorn, and worth only rs cents
to 81 per head at present. He said that 1t
cost to cents per pound to transport
their wool to the seaboard, while Austria
liam wool can be brought to Boston for
cent. He wants cents per pound duty
on all carpet woods, and all shoddy pro-
hibited.
The second mornings session opened
with the report Of the committe on the me-
mortal to congress. Hon. j. D. Taylor, ex-
congressman from Ohio, in discussion of
the report, declared that 1t was not a Ques-
ton in which wool growers alone are In
terested, as all other classes are benefited
by wool duties, as all have suffered, in
loss of employment and revenue for means
Of living and ordinary consumption OF pro-
ducts, in the absence of protection. He
was sure there was no middle course; the
country was coming to either one OF two
conclusions-adeQuate protection or abb
solute free trade; and wool-growers would
have full protection or none at all.
Mr. Burch, editor Of the American Wool
Grower, made strong appeal for urgency
Of effort for some form Of immediate rae