Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-06

tlemen Cannot Agree - Demands
of the Granges-Export BOunties
Mentioned.
washington. January 5.-The agri-
cultural schedule of the tariff law which
was considered to-day by the Ways ana
Means Committee, inspired statements
| from the representatives of a "lue
range of industries. There was con-
fict between Mexican cattlemen and
Congressman Curtis, of Kansas, over
the effect on cattle and beef production
in this country of the Wilson rates
Representative of the Pennsylvania
and Virginia Oranges asked for boun-
ties ON agricultural products. The
Massachusetts, fishermen and fish deal
ers and the salt importers and New
York producers had interesting tllts.
I The southern rice growers argued the
necessity of higher protection and SIM
liar arguments were presented by Cal
ifornia fruit growers, Philadelphia SEED
men and maccaroni makers, while I'M
porters of Bermuda potatoes and onions
wanted concessions. Tomorrow Will
be devoted to wool.
A large delegation of gentlemen from
the west appeared before the Ways and
Means Committee to-day, the schedule
! being agricultural products and cattle.
The first speaker was +. II. Rockwell,
of Warren, Pa. Mr. Rockwell is a cat
tie raiser, grazing in both Mexico and
Kansas, and he opposed high duties
The Mckinley rate on cattle, he said,
was prohibitive and had injured the
farmers of Kansas, who were benehtted
by international grazing. Herds were
taken to Kansas for periods OF from
six to eighteen months. Last year the
Kansas farmers were paid 1000 for
grain by the cattlemen, and this year
the amount would be about $4,000, in
addition TO which much was paid for
labor.
Another cattleman, NJ. NJ. Sherman,
of Salina, Kansas, represented that two
thirds of the cattle imported from Mex
leo into the United States were own
ed by Americans. Mr.. She man thought
that the high duties on oa,tle had been
decided upon by Congress to keep out
Canadian competition, without thought
of the Mexican business. He argued,
as Mr.. Rockwell had, that the chief
effect of the law was to injure Ameri-
cans who had invested their money IN
Mexico.
"Then YOU think that the tariff
should be governed by the nationality
of the producers of goods?" Mr.. Gros-
venor asked
Mr.. Sherman assented to this, where
upon Mr.. Grosvenor inquired what ef-
feet this system would have on import
ed goods in other lines.
The witness stated that American la
Dor was the cheapest in the world,
which statement provoked laugh un-
til he explained that in the cattle bus
mess. the American could do the work
of two Mexicans.
Asked why he had removed to Mex
leo. Mr.. Sherman said because of the
lack of ranges here. Chairman Ding
lev said there were plenty of ranges in
Colorado. Wyoming and other western
States. 1t was impossible to acquire
title to ranges in this country, was the
answer; and moreover said the wit
ness. the American laws gave mans
competitors the advantage of all the
improvements he introduced into his
business. In Mexico, the cattlemen
owned their ranges.
Mr.. Tawney questioned him as to
why importations from Mexico had in
creased from 5000 a month under the
Mckinley law to 1900 under the Will
son law.
He replied that this was largely due
to congestion in the market, but for
various reasons Mexico never could be-
come competitor of the United States.
The next speaker was representative
Curtis of Kansas He said that he rep
resented the district in which more
Me~ican cattle we're fed than any other
in the United States. and in behalf Of
the American cattle raisers. feeders and
farmers of Kansas. he asked to have
restored the duty of SO a head on all
cattle one year old or over. and 81 a
head on calves less than one year old.
In the first 21 months of the Wilson
tariff law 361 900 cattle had been i'm
ported into the United States, of an
average value Of $3.50 a head. paying
Il cents duty each The cattlemen Of
Kansas had been unable to raise as
good stock as formerly because of the
importations of Mexican stock. The
consumers Of beef had been fed poor
er quality under the Wilson law than
ever before. If Congress would restore
the duty Kansas would pledge herself
IN nroduce her share of cattle without
raising the nrce of beef.
Representative Turner. Of Georgia. ask
cd Mr.. Curtis If he would sacrifice the
revenue of $482.OO produced from cattle.
Revenue can be raised on other items"
was the reply. "as 1t has been heretofore
bv Republican legislation. There never
has been any trouble about revenue under
Republican administration"
"Then you are for a duty for protection
only?"
u am for protection and revcnue. Ard
would have a duty absolutely prohibitory
on every agricultural product that can he
raised in this country. Kansas would Ike
duties on hay, oats and fax seed.'
How about silver?'
"A large duty on silver would be q good
plan"
Representative Bowers. of California.
declared that the Wilson law had killed
the cattle business in California, flooding
the State with Mexican cattle. Labor
was 20 cents a day in Mexico. He combat
ted the statements of the cattle raisers
that but few of the Mexican stock i'm
norted were sold. being brought in for
feeding. Not more than one in ten weere
brought in for feeding.
Mr.. Bowers in behalf OF the California