The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-06
PLEAS FOR PROTECTION PAP.
COMMITTEE HEARS PLEAS ON THE
AGRICULTURAL, SCHEDULE,

ANAS VI NANAlCAn AANNlG EGXOr
the Wilson Bill, But the CattIemen
of Kansas Want Duty of $40 Per
Head on Imported Catherine
Fruit Growers of California Prom
Use Lower Prices 10 Consumers IL
They Are Granted Protection.
Washington, Jan. 5.-The seventh days
session of the ways and means committee
found the room well filled with those in
terested in the agricultural schedule. in
Guiding live animals, dairy products,
fruits, fish, meats, etc. There were two
opinions among the cattlemen. Those in
terested in bringing Mexican cattle into
the United States told the committee that
their business had been killed by the Nc
Kinley tariff, but under the Wilson bill il
was revived. They argued that the inn
portation of Mexican cattle had been of
great benefit to Kansas and Nebraska
farmers by affording them market for
their surplus grain and pasturage. Rep
resentative Curtis of Kansas, representing
the principal cattle district of Kansas,
asked for duty of $40 per head on cattle
~--N WI SAN HiAA ON1At anu VI - per ANdu
on those below one year old. The Kansas
raisers and feeders were injured and not
benefited by the importation of Mexican
cattle. 1t prevented them from raising
stock themselves. If the duty given by the
Mckinley law were restored the Kansas
farmers would undertake to raise their
share of the cattle of the country They
would furnish better article without
raising the price. Kansas farmers also
wanted increased duties on all farm pro-
ducts
Representative Bowers of California,
representing the fruit growers of that
state. asked for increased duties on all
fruits. The law now afforded no protec-
ton to the growers and did not yield any
revenue to speak of.
1t was suggested by a member of the
committee that an increase in duty would
raise the price to consumers. Mr.. Bowers
replied that it would not. On the con-
trafy, the fruit growers of his state would
guarantee to increase production and de-
crease prices. On raisins, prunes, plums
and all dried fruits. he asked a duty of
cents per pound This would insure Amer
leans market and stimulate the indus
try.
In the course of his argument he ex-
hibited raisins, prunes oranges, etc,
grown in California and abroad. The
price of the imported article. as a rule
he said was higher, but the foreign fruit
he claimed, was not of as good quality
as the domestic. II given chance. Cal
ifornia would flood the country with fine
grades of fruit and furnish an excellent
article at a reduced price. On oranges,
he requested a duty of % cents per cubic
foot If the fruit growers were given fair
protection some $l6,O00,OOO which was year.
ly sent abroad for fruit, would be kept
at home.
Senator Perkins of California presented
the memorial of the fruit-growers of Cal
ifornia, requesting the duties mentioned
by Mr.. Bowers. He also endorsed what
his colleague had said
Other gentlemen from California, Vir-
ginia and Pennsylvania asked for bounty
on agricultural products exported. Among
the advocates of this policy were three
representatives of the national grange.
f. N. Looms, representing the produce
merchants of New York city, asked for a
low duty on early vegetables, especially
Potatoes and onions. These products
came into the United States in March,
April and May. before the crops of this
country made their appearance and did
not compete with the vegetables of the
United States.
Replying to a question, he said that the
admission of these products would not
damage the trade Of California or the
southern states.
Representative Russell of Connecticut
presented the petition of the seed farmers
of Southern New England, advocating a
specific duty, according to a schedule
which they presented.
A delegation of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey seed farmers presented a similar
request and schedule.
Representative D. +. Wilbor Of New
York presented the petition of the Nation
al Hay Association, requesting a duty of
81 per ton on hay. He also spoke for the
hop farmers of New York, who, he said,
since the Gorman-Wilson bill became
law, which reduced the duty on hops from
Is to cents per pound, had been forced
to sell their product for less than the cost
of production. If the American hop grow
err did not receive aid and that soon,
through tariff legislation by having the
duty on foreign hops placed at not less
than 10 cents per pound, the same as in
the Mckinley bill they would be driven
out of the business.
w. P. Sutton, formerly United States
consul on the Mexican border asked the
imposition of a moderate ad Vaiorem duty
on Mexican cattle.
T. j. Baker of Charleston, s. c., and f.
c. Ernst Of New Orleans on behalf of the
rice growers, asked for protective duty
on that product.
There was a conflict Of advices concern
ing salt. Salt importers opposed any
change in the existing law. Salt produc-
ers wanted protection.
The same diversity of opinion was shown
in regard to fish. Importers wanted no
additions to the present duties; fishermen
asked for increased duties according to a
schedule which they presented.
New York florists asked for higher du-
ties on their products.
At to-morrow's session of the committee
raw wool will be taken up.