The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-12-26
TARIFF CONTROVERSY
Between East and West Assuming
Sectional Lines

Washington. Dec. z5.-For the first time
( in the country's history the tariff contro-
versy is assuming sharply sectional lines
on the basis OF east and west. The old
northern and southern controversy over
the tariff has disappeared through the
political vanquishment Of the south. Then
1t was a dispute between advocates OF
protection and its open opponents; now,
the dispute is between two sets OF protec-
tionists. one seeking tariffs TO promote
eastern interests and the other western.
This dispute focuses about four articles,
sugar. wool hides and lumber.
The National Association OF Beet-Sugar
Manufacturers IS assembling IN this city
TO take action 10 checkmate the plans Of
President Roosevelt and Secretary Roo.
for relieving the economic distress Of
Cuba, and 10 support Secretary Wilson $
valorous efforts for the promotion Of the
beet industry. It is becoming Increasing
" evident that the western interests OF
which this is one, will work IN combina-
ton.
John ". Springer OF Denver, president
OF the National Livestock association.
who has just arrived here for the purpose
Of organizing q movement against any
modification OF the duties on wool and
hides, intends 70 work with the beet-sugar
people, and other western interests are
rapidly gathering here IN readiness for
whatever tariff skirmishes may arise Mr.
Springer's views on wool and hides. since
they are the ones that eastern manufac-
turers Of woollen goods and boots and
shoes must meet. viii be Of interest He
saws that any reduction whatever in the
tariff on livestock products would mean
the ruin OF the stock raising business. and
would raise a howl out west that would
be heard clear 10 the blue Atlantic" Not
content with letting existing tariff condi-
lions alone, he purposes TO carry the war
into the enemy's country by trying 70 Sc
cure the enactment Of a law for the tag
ging OF unfinished woollen products with
an Official statement of the proportion OF
pure wool which they actually contain.
This is 10 checkmate the practice Of east
ern manufacturers OF using some substi-
tutes for wool. practice made necessary
by the extreme duties on wool. Mr..
Springer hopes to push his scheme for
ward as an ally of the pure food move
ment.
Eastern manufacturers using lumber,
wool and hides would greatly increase
their export market were the cost Of the
raw material reduced. The sugar made
articles which would spring up with free
Cuban sugar would constitute an enor-
nous industry; condensed-milk manufac-
turers alone estimate that their sales
would increase fourfoId with free Cuban
sugar, so large q part is this article of
the cost OF their product Moreover, Gu
ban cane sugar is refined on the eastern
seaboard and shipped west, whereas in
the beet regime the refining would be
done IN the west Eastern wool-manufac-
turing is languishing under the existing
wool duties, and the export trade in shoes
is greatly retarded in It's growth by the
hide duties. Eastern manufacturers OF
lumber will gradually be driven west with
the continuance Of existing duties. such
as the Puget Sound statesmen desire. The
material is thus abundant for g sharp
struggle between eastern and western
protectionists. Thus far. the latter are
so much more effectively organized as TO
give them great promise Of success.