New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-24
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.

the raW material
THE PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
FINANCE COMMITTEE RATES ON RAW WOOL
ADoPTED-A POLITICAL DISCUSSION.
Washington, June decentralization of the Wool
schedule OF the Tariff bill was resumed III tne oe"-
ate to-day. Paragraph 3d. relating to third-c!ass
vooIs was taken I'D There was considerable OPP
position to the proposed rates. the debate pelhs
largely technical lines relative to grades OF WOOL
Mr.. Vest pointed conflicts between the views Oh
Messrs. Lawrence and Justice two wool experts
and said that IL these recognized authorities were
so far apart how could the layman be expected 10
get at the truth? After ALL he said, 1t was the od
spectacle of greed. He believed in free WOOL Ahd
al the proper time he would TO substitute Tree
wool for all the paragraphs in this schedule
Mr. Rawllns, Of Utah. put number OF questions
10 Mr. Vest as 10 the general doctrine OF prote'toH
10 which the Missouri Senator replied that he be-
lleved in tariff for revenue only. without protec-
ton TO anybody unless 1t became absolutely neces-
sary as incident OF raising revenue lie "ouIu
so impose duties as 10 make them pear as heh'F
as possible on the poor Of the country without a
dollar for protection unless II cou'd not DC aNolueu
in raising revenue
Mr. QUAY said that after the debate on this para
graph he would move to strike out the committee
amendments TO Paragraph 1854. the effect OF which
would be to restore the House rates.
Mr. Mantle criticised some OF the statements OF
more than per cent of the wool grown in this
country was carpet wool. He asserted that one
eighth OF every fleece OF the common sheep was
classei as carpet wool He said that ne
would regard II most equitable 10 levy speclhc
duty on all carpet wool without any distinction. az
an ad vaorem duty led TO differentiation. This rate
the wool men thought should he cents pound lie
discussed the effect of the Mckinley wool rates,
saying they did not accomplish all that had been ex-
pected: they did offset tho heavy declines caused
by business depression
Mr. Mills said ii incomprchcnsiblc to him
why wool men demanded high duties. in the face
of experience that the price OF WOO! could not he
raised by the tariff any more than the price Of
cotton could be increased by duty. The price Of
wool had been falling constantly for forty years TT
spite Of tariff rates. He quoted statistics showing
that wool had fallen after the imposition of the
Mckinley rates and had risen after the Wilson
provisions for free wool This was proof incon-
testable he declared that tariff duties could not
affect the price Of wool.
Mr. Mantle nterjected the remark: Generally
speaking the Senator will not question that the
imposition of duty has raised the price to the
wool-grower?"
~ have never been able to discover IT," answered
Mr.. Mills.
Mr. Mantle asserted that this general benefit to
the wool-grower ncontestable. certainly as to
Montana growers and he believed II was so gem
orally.
r.
tables Of prices which constituted record not 10
he impeacheG under the rules of evidence, by gen
eral opinion He proceeded to argue as TO the
benefits accruing to the mass OF consumers from
| free wool. He also argued tina. the entire beneht
| Of duties woods accrued 10 the WOOL ihahuidc'u
! rer and not TO the grower.
EFFECT OF THE WILSON LAW IN MONTANA
Mr. Carter said it was fact beyond dispute that
in the last year the woogrowers of Montana were
cfx
Kiney law they were receiving IA cents. And the
difference between cents and IA cents is the Diff
ference between destruction and prosperity, de-
| clared Mr.. Carter.
When Mr. Mills quoted certain low rates on Mon
tana wool under the Mckinley law. NJ. Garter re-
nlied that these were quoted at time when the
massage Of the Wilson bill was anticipated. serving
! to send down prices.
Mr. Gray said ne confirmed in his Judgment
of the injustice OF high wool duties by the conflicts
eT eoho ted IN the senate why not leave this
to the commercial activities OF free and enlght-
r raj and normal conditions .o,.
NJ Gray dsGSd II 9@ b @s G
ton. IF those who oppose these high duties on
wool to be considered enemieS SAID ne Rev. INF
not be lacking in resources to make their opposition
f for the primary purpose Of framing a law giving
adequate revenue. and il was infamous he asserted
toll was levied on the great mass OF poor people Of
Tho country the Wearers of clothing ana users o.
blankets in order TO increase the profits or ne WOOL
greedy interests contending here for the amour: o
benefits they to receive: instead Of leaving m
representatives OF the people to leGislate for thu
rbole neople Mr. Gray closed with an arraignmen
of the policy Of solating this country from the ad
vaniages other countries and climates could extend
MIR QUAY moved TO disagree to the committe
amendments TO Paragraph Boz the House rat
80 per cent ad valorem on on third-class woo
was cents a pound third-class woods value
! AT 10 cents or less The effect of Mr. Quay's mo
ton would be 90 back TO the House rate of
per cent ad valorem
BRYAN'S FREE-TRADE RECORD.
Mr. Hoar pointed out that there was not a ma
jorty in the Senate favorable to the doctrine o
, protection supported by the Republican party.
became necessary. therefore TO secure the cooper
alton Of those who had supported man for tn
: Presidency who. II elected. pledged TO veto
tariT bill.
Mr. Mantle replied that he had never known tina
the silver candidate for the Presidency Wa
pledged to veto tariff bill.
Mr.. Hoar said Mr.. Bryan's record In the lious
of Representatives would throw some gh' on III
] subject He was supported by nearly all IN
II the party did not pledge him he pledged III
Mr.. Mantle further said thar notwithstanding hi
: interest in the wool schedule he had desire
to lay any obstacle in the way OF the Tariff bill a
Mr. Allen said the statement OF Mr. Hoar as
the silver candidate for the Presidency should ne
E go unchaenged. There was nothing In what NJ
! Bryan had said tustifying an assertion that
e would have vetoed tariff bill. II II had been
9 bin OF conhscation doubtless ne would hay
9 vetoed Il.