Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1897-07-23
GRAND FORKS WOODEN Mills
GRAND FORKS N. D.
WOODEN INDUSTRY.


FREE TRADERS HAVE WROUGHT IT
GREAT INJURY.
Its Condition Contrasted with tho Iron
Industry, Which Has Been Protected.
Strong Measures Needed-SpeciHc Du-
ties tho Remedy.
Every sensible man. whether protec-
Zionist or free trader, will agree that
tariff duties ought not to be excessive
Beyond the point of securing control Of
tho home market to domestic producers
on the condition TINT they keep pace
fairly with the progress Of Industries in
other countries, there is nothing to be
gained, but often much to be lost. Diff
fering from Senator .Aldrich, however,
there arc many Republican who do not
think that the industries of this country
have SO nearly approached tho state Of
independence as his expression Of opin-
ion regarding his senate bill would in
dictate. That measure is to be highly
commended for some changes from ad
valorem to specific duties which aro
designed to promote home production OF
earthcnware, linen goods and some
other products Of importance But this
Same wise principle ie discarded in
dealing with other industries, especially
in tho sugar md tho woolons schedules.
Wherever fraudulent differentiation is
invited by nd valorcn duties tho prac-
teal effect Of the protection supposed to
be given is thereby reduced in many
cases one half.
Perhaps contrast between two i'm
portant industries may be instructive
here. The WOODEN and tho iron indus
tries have similar natural advantages
in this country. Far back in colonial
times both had enough strength to
cause British legislation for tho express
purpose of extinguishing them. In tho
modern crn of factory production the
two were gaining about equally upon
their chief competitor, Great Britain.
until the mistaken tariff of 1883. BY
that tariff, largely shipped by two men.
these industries were very differently
treated. The iron and steel industry re-
ceived full and sufficient protection by
specific duties in every branch except
the production Of tin plates. The WOOL
en- manufacture, partly through the in
fluence Of the carpet interest, but more
because the men who represented it in
congress hesitated to insist upon what
they knew was needed, was left much
exposed to foreign competition. By
1890 tho iron industry had become
strong enough to welcome some rcduo-
ton Of duties. while the WOODEN man.
ufacture was the sick man to be cured.
Tho Mckinley tariff sought to
strengthen points where further defense
was needed, and SO gave to the iron
industry the ono thing it lacked, con-
troll of tho home market for tin plates
The result is that this industry is now
able to invade British markets. The
same tariff gave to the wooden manu-
facturo such protection that its growth,
in spite Of apprehension that duties
would be speedily reduced, was highly
encouraging.
Then came the Democratic reaction.
The iron industry had fighting repro
sentative III congress who prevented dis
astrous reduction. The wooden industry
was not 60 defended and became the chief
victim of Democratic reform" In con-
sequence, there is no other great manu-
featuring industry in this country
which is as independent today as the
manufacture Of iron and steel, and there
is no other which stands in as much
need of courageous and unflinohing pro-
lection as the manufacture of wool.
The senate committee was able to re-
duce duties OH iron and steel products,
in some cases below those of the present
Democratic tariff, and yet to declare
that in no instance have rates been re-
duced below tho point Of protection.
But it has cut down the duties proposed
by the house on wooden products and
has made them in character more large
~ ad valorem, apparently in the belief
that this industry also can confront for
eiRn competition much more successful
~ than it could in 1890. It is to be
doubted. The manufacture had but lit
tie time for improvement between o.
tober, 1890, and May. 1898, when the
Democratic prostration began, and it
has been more sorely depressed and dis
organized than any other. Grant that
the house duties are too complicated.
what hindered translating them into
specific duties Of go many cents for each
narrow change in cost or weight 1t 10
q question which ought to be seriously
considered, whether a closer approxima.
ton to tho specific duties Of the house 10
not essential In order to render the new
tariff effective as discharge Of Repub-
lican pledges and for the revival Of one
Of the most important branches of man
ufaoture-the one upon which the pros B
perity Of the great army Of woolgrow-
en- directly depends.-New York Tsib<