The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-23
TINE FOR REVOLT.
The Greedy Wool Barops
Scored by Mills and
Gray in the Sen
ate.
MANUFACTURERS UPIN ARMS
Demands of the Westerners Fatal
to Industry Consumers
Out in the Cold.


| Senate today the consideration of the
tariff bill was resumed. Paragraph 357,
relating to third class woods was taken
| up. There was considerable opposition
to the proposed rates, the debate being
largely on technical lines relative to
grades of wool.
Mr.. Vest (Mo) pointed out conflicts be-
tween the views of Messrs Lawrence and
Justice, two wool experts and said that
if these recognized authorities were so
far apart, how could the Laymen be ex-
| pected to get that truth. After all, he
He believed In free wool and at the proper
| time he would move to substitute free
wool for all the paragraphs on this
schedule.
Mr.. Rawlins (UtahJ put number of
questions to Mr.. Vest as to the general
doctrine of protection, to which the Mis-
souri, Senator replied that he believed in
tariff for revenue only without protec-
ton to anybody unless it became abso-
lutely necessary as an incident of raising
revenue. He would SO impose duties as
10 make them bear as lightly as possible
on the poor of the country, without dol
lar for protection unless it could not be
avoided in raising revenue.
Mr. Quay (Pa.) stated that after the
debate on this paragraph he would move
to strike out the committee amendments
to paragraph 357, the effect of which
would be to restore the House rates.
Mr., Mantle (Mont.l criticized some of
the statements of Mr.. Justice, particu-
larly thar to the effect that not more
than one per cent. of the wool grown
in this country was carpet
Mr.. Mantle asserted that one-eighth of
every fleece of the comon sheer was
classed as coarse carpet wool
:. Mr. Mantle said that he would regard
on all carpet wool without any distinction
as an ad valorem led to under valuation.
This rate. he said, the wool men thought
Senator discussed the effect of the Nc
klnley wool rates, saying. they did not
accomplish all that had been expected;
they did not offset the heavy declines
caused by business depression.
Mr: .Mllls (Texas) said it was incompre-
hensible to him why wool men demanded
high duties in the face of experience that
the price of wool could not be raised by
the tariff any more than the price of
cotton could be increased by a duty The
price of wool had been falling constantly
for forty years in spite of tariff rates
He quoted statistics showing that wool
had fallen after the imposition of the Nc
Kinley rates, and had risen after the
Wilson provision for free wool. This was
proof incontestible he declared that
tariff duties could not effect the price of
wool.
At one point Mr.. Mills remarks Mr..
Mantle interjected the remark, General
ly speaking. the Senator will not question
that the imposition Of duty has raised
the price to the wool grower
7 .have never been able to discover it," |
Mr. Mantle asserted that this general
benefit to the wool grower was ircontest-
ible' ne a eertalny t,aIaa as to Montana growers,
Mr.. Mills m maintained e - hat tiheefhaiy he was |
speaking from tables of prices which |
constituted record not to be i'm
general opinions. He proceeded to argue |
the benfits accruing to the mass of CON |
sumers from free wool. He also argued |
that the entire benefit of duties on woods |
accrued to the wool manufacturer and |
not to the grower
, Mr. Garter (Mont) said it was a fact |
beyond dispute that during the last year |
the wool growers of Montana were re-
der the Mekniey R law they ou were mnlse receiu an
And the difference between six cents
and fourteen cents ls the difference be- |
tween dstruction and prosprity,'' declar-
ed Mr. Carter.
When Mr.. Mills quoted certain low rates
on Montana wool under the Mckinley law
MT. Garter responded that these were I
dCoeSd % TIME wien the passage OF /
the Wilson bill was anticipated, Serving
to send down prices
Mr. Gray (Del.) said he was confirmed |
in his Judgment of the injustice of high |
wool wool duties by the conflicts between the
echoed in the Senate. Why not leave this
to !, the commercial activities of free
ator, instead Of disturbing 4 natural raj and and
normal conditions.
Mr. Gray. declared that it was time
ia 1dc of a., L
Wool Growers, Association. 6 If those
yho oppose these high duties on wool
ire to be considered enemies'' said he.
they must take their position as enemies
md they will not be lacking in resources
o make their opposition felt
This extra session of Cangress was
'alled for the primary purpose of franz
ng law giving adequate revenue and it
vas infamous, he asserted. that this rev
'nue measure could not pass until toll
vas Levied on the great mass Of poor
people of the country, the wearers of
'lothing and users Of blankets in order 4
growers.