The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-20
SALTWATER NEWS.
No Tariff Wanted on Manila SisaI
EjhorS,

Congressman Tawney, of this state, who is
Oh the ways and means committee, recently
wrote to Warden Wolfer, of this city, for
data to be used in arriving at a satisfactory
tariff on binder Irvine fbers for the pro-
lection of American fiber growers. The in
formation was forwarded to Mr. Tawney at
Washington with recommendation that no
tariffs be placed upon manila and sisal fbers,
inasmuch these hbers cannot be raised in
this country, and large amount annually
finds its way to the farmers OF Minnesota
in the shape Of binder tWine which
sold at a lower figure last year than ever
before. OF course. the amount of fiber used
in the prison factory is merely a small part
of that used annually in the United States,
but Warden Wolfer Is Of the. opinion that
these fbers should be admitted Free in as
much as high tariff would naturally cause
a decided advance in the price of all COM
modities manufactured from sisal and MANILA.
American hemp and fax growers, however,
are not satisfied to let these fbers come in
free Of duty and will make a strong kick to
have a tariff placed upon them. Readers
of the | o b e will remember that American
hemp was used at the prison factory when
it was sf1rstSa started, but it was soon dem
onstTated that twine could be manufactured
nlucfBbGhea4e from sisal and MANILA. The
priSeH2 factory, however, continued to use
hempsfoe several years, inasmuch as the ma
-chiReryd purchased by the state was not
adaptedftc9the manufacture Of ssal and ma,
nila twines. The factory was operated at
a loss for some time, until a change of
machinery was made, when the state began
manufacturing from foreign ibers, and the
output VI the IdCLOry mas since Deen IN
creased from time to time by the addition
Of new machinery until the present time
when it aggregates nearly 4,CG0 600 pounds
annually. Warden Wolfer is of the opinion
that a tariff on these ffbers would prove det-
rimental to the farmers of this state and has
therefore urged that they be placed upon the
free list.
The board of prison managers recently au-
thorized the purchase of twelve new spinners
and two breakers for the prison binder
Irvine factory, and the machines are now
being put In place. The new machines viii
increase the capacity of the factory about
1900 pounds per day, giving it daily capacity
of little less than 13, 900 pounds.
If the legislature is Wiling, the state Of
Minnesota will have a female prison. for it
is understood that a bill is to be presented
in the near future for the building of a.
female prison. in accordance with recon-
mendation made by Gov. Clough in his mes
sage to the legislature. Warden Wolfer when
asked what he thought of the project yes
terday, said it was a good one and In keep
ing with the lines Of advancement made by
this state in the past few years. He thinks
it would be wise to have the prison located
in or near st. Paul or Minneapolis, and to
! have all female prisoners sent there in pref
erence to jails and other places of detention
saltwater chapter, O. E. S.. will visit Pal
estine chapter at Minneapolis next Monday
evening, returning to this city by special
train.