The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-05-20
Hon. Martin N. Johnson.

The main advances in rates have been
made in the agricultural schedule. We
nave given everything that we possibly
could in the way of direct protection to
the farmers. l do not think there is an
exception. In every instance where we
FOUND that we could benefit any agricul-
tural products directly by tariff, we have
done so. but the main advantage which
the farmers expect to get, and will get
from this protective tariff is in increasing
Inelr nome markets, the best in the world.
Inc sugar and fax schedules were made
with a view to creating or establishing
two distinctly new and great sources of
agricultural wealth. We have passed be-
yond the experimental stage in both these
items. We know now that our soil and
climate are the best in the world for the
growth OF flax fibre and sugar beets, and
now all we need is protection. Cause and
effect will be as clear cut in the natural
lzation of the sugar and linen industries
under the Dingley bill as was the tin plate
industry under the law of 1890. By SO
adjusting the tariff as to protect and en-
courage the manufacture and production
OF everything that we can produce or
make to advantage in this country. we
create home market for home products.
Next to that market we expect to reopen
foreign markets for -four meats agricul-
tural and other machinery which we pos
sessed under our former reciprocity agree
ments with the West Indies and Central
and South American States, and also with
Germany and France. In my judgment
those markets for wheat and -four will
make an additional demand for sixty
million bushels of wheat a year. and the
restoration of activity in the mining, man
ufacturing and other industries Of this
country, such as we enjoyed under the
tariff of 1890 will, l think. increase the
home consumption to what it formerly
was per capita, thus adding about 12O
million bushels a year to the present home
consumption. and this will, think, re-
quire our total surplus
We find that the wooden schedule is
meeting with general appreciation among
the farmers. l am in receipt of letter
from the secretary of the Wool Growers
Association of North Dakota with refer
ence to the proposed wool schedule of the
Dingley bill. stating that the same is
thoroughly satisfac Glory to the North Da-
kota association. The wooden schedule of
the present bill is marked improvement
over that of the Mckinley law. The rates
on the first and second class woods are
the same as under the Mckinley law, but
the advantage of the schedule in this bill
lies in the fact that the coarse so-called
"carpet woods" from China. Bagdad and
Egypt principally, paying under the Nc
kinley law low rate of duty. are now
rated as frst-class woods. At least thirty
million pounds of these woods were i'm
ported as carpet woods annually, but were
converted into garments and cloths, in
stead Of carpets, and to meet the require
ments of the manufacturers, the fashions
were actually changed. cloaks and coats
possessing a very rough fibre and finish
being worn by all classes.
The protectionist farmers of the coun-
try with whom | have talked or CORE
sponded express themselves as thoroughly
satisfied with the present bill. They not
only believe that it will help them directly
by reason of the rates levied upon agri-
cultural articles, but have great faith thar
with its enactment will come increased
activity and good business times, and that
there will be a ready and satisfactory
home market for their products Former
ly there was little need of direct protec-
ton to farm products. as few were i'm
ported. Now all that is changed, as over
fifty per cent of our total imports for the
last FIVE years have been agricultural pro-
ducts.
Nj. n. JOHNSON,
Member Ways and Means Committee