Kansas City daily journal., 1897-01-06
CURTIS. OF KASsAs. ASKS FOR PRO-
lection AGAINST MENICo.
PROTEST FROM KANSAS CITY.
II. p. CHILD, OF THE STOCK YARDS,
WANTS CATTLE DUTY FREE.
hnnsans Also Want Protection on
salt. Castor Beams and other
Farm Producfs-ASricuIt-
UraI Schedule COnSid-
cred by Committee.


members Of the Kansas delegation made
a vigorous plea to-day before the ways
and means committee for a protective
tariff on Mexican cattle. They argued earn
cstly Tor a tariff which will exclude all
the lower grades Of cattle imported from
that country and a high tariff on ali
othcr cattle from Mexico. They were given
permission TO file statement in regard
10 the matter and also in regard to salt.
castor beans and other farm products
EeecinE protection. The ground taken by
the kans'lns was that these low grades
of Mexican cattle compete disaslrousIy
with the Texas product. They are driven
into Kansas and Nebraska and fed for
slaughter, thereby interfering with the
marketing of the American cattle. which
are driven north from Texas.
Representative Tawney. of the ways and
means committee filed letter from II. p
Child, assistant general manager of the
Kansas City stock yards. favoring the
unrestricted Importation of Mexican cattle
He says they are poor grade of animals
which are made ready for market by be-
ing fed in Kansas and Nebraska. and are
fit only TO be used for canning purposes
He says the canning trade is pushed almost
entirely for export to Europe. Some ad-
vantage accrues to the farmers of the
states named, who enjoy the benefit de-
rived from grazing them while being made
ready for the slaughter houses after their
long trip from the Mexican border
The agricultural schedule OF the pro-
posed tariff law, which was con-
sidered to-day by the ways and means
committee inspired statements from the
repI Iesentatives Of a wide range of indus
tries. There was a conflict between Mex
ican cattlemen and Congressman Curtis.
of Kansas. over the effect on cattle and
beef production in this country, of the
Wilson rates. Representatives of the
Pennsylvania and Virginia oranges asked
for bounties on agricultural products The
Massachusetts fishermen and fish dealers
and the salt importers and New York
producers had interesting tilts. The South
ern rice growers argued the necessity OF
higher protection. and similar arguments
were presented by California fruit growers.
Philadelphia seedmen. and maccaroni-
makers, while importers of Bermuda pota-
tees and onions wanted concessions. To-
morrow VIII be devoted to wool.
The first speaker this morning was F.
n. Rockwell. of Warren, Pa Mr. Rock
well is cattleraiser, grazing in both
Mexico and Kansas, and he opposed high
duties. The Mckinley rate on cattle, he
said, was Drohibitiye and had injured the
farmers OF Kansas. who We're benefited by
international grazing. Herds were taken
&c Kansas for periods of from SIX to eigh-
-. I
ers were paid 80 900 for grain by the cat
tlCmen, and this year the amount would
be $4,000, in addition to which much was
paid for labor
Another cattleman, NJ. NJ. Sherman. of
Salina, kas., represented that two-thirds
Of the cattle imported from Mexico into
the United States were owned by AmeTi-
cans. Mr.. Sherman thought that the high
duties on cattle had been decided upon by
congress TO keep out Canadian competi-
tion without thought of the Mexican bust
ness. He argued. as Mr.. Rockwell had.
that the chief effect of the law was to IN
jure Americans who had invested their
money in Mexico.
Then you think that the tariff should
he governed by the nationality of the pro-
dUcers of goods?" Mr.. Grosvenor asked.
Mr.. Sherman assented to this, whereup-
on MIR. Grosvenor inquired what effect this
system would have on imported goods in
other lines.
Incidentally, the witness stated that
American labor was the cheapest i'm the
wCIld. which statement provoked laugh
until he explained that i'm the cattle busi-
ness one American would do the work Of
two Mexicans Asked why he had re-
moved to Mexico. Mr.. Sherman said be-
cause Of the lack of ranges here.
Chairman Dingley said there We're plenty
OF ranges in Colorado and Wyoming and
other Western states.
II was impossible to acquire title to
ranges in this country. was the answer
and. moreover. said the witness. the Amer
lean laws gave mans competitors the
advantage OF all the improvements he in
trcduCed into his business. In Mexico the
Cattlemen owned their ranges.
AIR. Tawney questioned him to why
impCrtations from Mexico had Increased
from 1900 month under the Mckinley
Jaw TO a. 600 under the Wilson law.
He replied that this was largely due to
congestion in the market, but for various
reasons Mexico never could become a com.
petitor of the United States.
The next speaker was Representative
Curtis. of Kansas. He said that he rep.
resented the district in which more Mex
lean cattle We're fed than in any other ir
the United States. and IN behalf of the
American cattle raisers, feeders and farm
crs of Kansas he asked to have restored
--tiie duty OF $40 head on all cattle ! yeal
old and over. and s. 4 head on calves les
than ] year OLD. The MrSt twenty-oni
months under the Wilson law. Col 200 cattl,
had been imported into the United States
Of an average value Cf $50 head. pay
ing 81 cents duty each. The cattlemcn o
Kansas had been unable to raise as goo
stock as formerly because OF the importa
fion Of Mexican stock. The consumers o
beef had been fed a poorer quality undo
the Wilson law than ever before. IT con
Ercss would res tore the duty. Kansas woult
pledee herself TO produce her share OF cat
Tie without raising the price Of beef.
Representative Turner. of Georgia, aske
MIR. Curtis Il he would sacrifice the $452 ol
produced from cattle.
Revenue CgIl be raised on other items
was the reply. AS II has Been heretofore b
Republican legislation. There never Ia
been any trouble about revenue under Re
publican administrations.
Then YOU are for duty for protection
only?'
II am for protection and revenue. and
would have a duty absolutely prohibtor
on every agricultural product that can b
raised in This country. Kansas would lill
duties on hay, oats and ilaXsCCG."
How about silver"
a large duty on silver would be Il goo
plan"
Representative Bowers. or California. lie
-lared that the Wilson law had killed IN
cattle business in California, flooding tn
1ate with Mexican cattle. Labor was
,ants day in Mexico lie combattcd III
statements OF the cattle raiSers that br
'ew of the Mexican stock imported wer
sold. being brought I'm for feeding. NJ
more than one in ten were imported 4
ecdinE.
Mr.. Blowers, IN behalf of the Californi
ruit growers asked for higher duties Q
ruits. The STG,Cl0n00 worth of fruit in
.orted annually, he said. might be grow
~ Americans. lie suggested duties of