The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-05
Charles Curtis and Others Speak
For Her Interests.
Have a Hearing Before Ways
and Means Committee.
WANTDUTY ON CATTLE
Curtis Asks That the $40 Duty
Be Restored.
NJ. Nj. Sherman of Salina and
Some Others Speak.

Washington. Jan. 5.-A large delega-
ton of gentlemen from the west ap-
peared before the ways and means
committee today, the schedule being
agricultural products and cattle. The
first speaker was F. n. Rockwell of
Warren, Pa.
Mr.. Rockwell is a. cattle raiser, graz
ing in both New Mexico and Kansas.
and he opposed high duties. The Nc
Kinley rate on cattle, he said, was pro-
hibitive and had injured the farmers of
Kansas who were benefited by interna-
tional grazing Herds were taken TO
Kansas for periods of from six to IS
months Last year the Kansas farmers
were paid $4,000 for grain by the cat
tie men and this year the amount would
be $4,000 in addition to which much
was paid for labor
Another cattle man, NJ. NJ. Sherman of
Salina, Kan, represented that two
thirds of the cattle imported from Mex
leo into the United States were owned
by Americans. Mr.. Sherman thought
that the high duties on cattle had been
decided upon by congress TO keep the
Canadian competition without thought
of the Mexican business. He argued.
as Mr.. Rockwell had, that the chief eff
feet of the law was to inJure Americans
who had invested their money in Mex
leo.
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 eff
feet this would have on imported goods
in other lines.
incidentally the witness stated that
American labor was the cheapest in the
world, which statement provoked a.
laugh until he explained that in the
cattle business one American would do
the work of of two Mexicans.
Asked WlV he had removed to Mexico
Mr.. Sherman said because of the lack
of ranges here.
Chairman Dingley said there was
plenty OF range in Colorado and Wy
onling and Other. western states.
1t was impossible to acquire title to
ranges in this country. as the answer.
and moreover, said the witness. the
American laws gave a mans competit-
ors the advantage of all the improve
ments he introduced into his business.
In Mexico the cattle men 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 $4,000 under the VIII
son law.
He replied that this was largely due
to congestion in the market. but for var
ious reasons Mexico never could be-
come competitor of the Ur.ited States.
The next speaker was Representa- tive
resented the district in which more Mexi-
the United States and in behalf of the
American cattle raisers. feeders and
farmers of Kansas. he asked to have re-
stored the duty of SO &. head on all cattle
one year old and over and S2 head on
calves less than one year old
In the first tWenty-One months in the
Wilson law, 361, coo cattle had been import
ed into the United States of an avera ge
value of $3.50 a head, paying 81 cents duty
each.
The cattle men of Kansas had been un-
able to raise good stock as formerly
because of the inportations of Mexican
stock. The consumers of beef had been
fed a poorer quality under the Wilson
law than ever before If congress would
restore the duty Kansas would pledge
herself to produce her share of cattle
without raising the price of beef
Representative Turner of Georgia, ask
ed Mr.. Curtis il he would sacrifice the
! 1882. 600 produced from cattle.
Revenue can be raised on other items. -
| was the reply. "as it has been heretofore
| by Republican legislation. There never
/ has been any trouble about revenue un-
| der Republican administrations.
Then you are for a duty for protec-
| ton only?''
I am for protection and revenue and I
would have a duty absolutely prohibitory
raised in this country. Kansas would
| like duties on hay oats and haNseed~''
| How about silver2
| "A large duty on silver would be 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
| so cents day in Mexico He combattees
| the statements of the cattle raiSers thai
| but few of the Mexican stock imported
were sold, being brought in for feeding