Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-01-31
MfNACEs THE WOOL INDUSTRY.
The Montana State Board Of Sheep Com
missioners Protest to President
Mckinley and Congress.

mckinley n congress.
The woolgrowers OF Montana view
with alarm the proposed reciprocity
treaty that the United States pro-
poses to ratify with the Argentine
Republic, because OF a clause that
will effect a material reduction In the
present tariff on wool. The treaty,
that was conceived In the idea OF
knitting the American republics
closer together along the lines of reci-
procity, periodically advocated by
James q. Blaine and other Republi-
can statesmen, and which probably
would accomplish much In bringing
about the looked-for Pan-American
idea, provides for a reduction In the
tariff on wool from Argentine Re-
public OF 20 per cent. The treaty
proposes to reduce the tariff from II
to s cents per pound.
The woolgrowers, thru the state
board OF sheep commissioners, have
formulated a protest that has been
forwarded to congress and the Presl-
dent, asking that the treaty be not
ratified In its present condition. The
protest follows:
''To the President and the Honor
able Senate and House Of Represent
atives of the United States:
1.-THE undersigned, president and
secretary of the state board OF sheep
commissioners OF Montana, repre-
senting the united and deep-felt senti-
ment of every one engaged In the
sheep industry in this state. respect
fully but most earnestly protest
against the ratification and approval
of the so-called reciprocity treaty
with the Argentine Republic, which,
az reported. allows n reduction OF 20
per cent Of the duty imposed upon
wool in the act OF 1897.
"The duty 10 low enough nov to
furnish any protection to an indus
try in which the whole country and
our W state especially, is vitality
interested. The present law IL con-
spicuously unequal and unfair in dis
eliminating in favor of the WOODEN
manufacturer and against the wool
growers. The latter, whom we rep
resent, az the foremost sh~eep-raising
state in the country, insist that upon
all principles of equity they are EN-
titled to fair and equal treatment in
the benefits as well as the burdens of
the general government.
"The delay in the passage Of the
act of 1897 gave opportunity to glut
the market with two years supply
Of foreign wool and the woolgrowers
ure only beginning to derive a small
advantage from protection, while the
manufacturers have had it's full I'M
equal benefit since the passage OF the
law.
"In answer to claims presented to
our loyalty and patriotism that we
should consent to this discrimination
in return for benefits that will accrue
to the woolen-manufacturers, we
submit that we are already subjected
to unjust discrimination in favor OF
the same interest. Live and let live
is only a just policy. Legislation
should, SO far as possible, protect all
alike.
'If it Is said that the Argentine Re,
public is but one of the woolgrOwing
countries, it may be answered that Ii
IL credited last year with producing
100, 000, 600 pounds Of wool more than
the United States, and 1t Is produced
on comparatively free range bycheap
labor, where the sheep need little
shelter or feeling.
''Our woolgrowers see nothing but
peril in the proposed reduction. We
feel that we are wounded in the
house of our f~riends;' that our reviv'
ing hopes are in danger OF bitter dis,
appointment, and we invoke your
aid to arrest the blow. Very re-
spectfully submitted,
IT. c. POWER, President.
CORNELIUS HEDGES, Secy.