Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1902-07-25
A PAYING INVESTMENT
Wire Rope Trust Gave the Re-
publicans 500, 900 In 1896.
THE PEOPLE HAVE PAID IT BACK

The Duties Were Fixed In 1897 and
the Trust Now Rolls In Prosperity.
Americans Pay Nearly Three Times
Prices Charged ForeIgners-Mnnu-
facturers BuIIdOzed.
The almost criminal folly OF the pro
tcctive tariffs of today, and especially
OF the inexcusable tariff on iron and
steel goods, is well illustrated by the
wire rope trust.
The manufacturers Of wire rope have
for years had u "gentlemen's agree
ment" on prices, an agreement similar
TO that Of the manufacturers Of steel
rails or of structural steel or OF sheets
or OF most Of the other products of the
steel mills. The principal parties to
this agreement. pool or trust are John
a. ROebling * Sons company, Trenton,
n. J.; Hazard Manufacturing company.
Whkesbarre, Pa; Washburn q Moen
Manufacturing company, st. Louis,
Mo; Roderick & Bascom Rope compa-
ny, st. Louis. and the Williamsport
Wire company, Williamsport. Pa.
Realizing that the prices which can
be got for wire rope depend largely
upon the duty on wire rope. the mem
bers OF this trust began I'm 1896 TO sow
seed for the big harvest OF profits
which they have been reaping since
1897. According to the statements of
some OF the members, they contributed
100000 to the Republican campaign
fund I'm 1896. At least II all contributed
fhpfr -
the members, the Republican admins.
tration Of 1897 was indebted to this
trust I'm the sum of 100000.
AS the better grades OF wire rope
have always been and still are made
largely from Imported rods or wire
Qarger than No. o the trust wanted no
Increase ON the duty on wire rods.
None was made I'm the Dingley bill.
The duty on wire rope, however, was
increased by the amount of the in
creased duty on coated or galvanized
wire The trust was also permitted to
continue TO benefit by the unrcasona-
bile tariff which compelled importers OF
wire rope TO pay the same rate of duty
per pound on the central core of the
rope as upon the wire OF which the
rope is composed This central core
usually consists Of tarred jute or hemp
and is used only as former" around
which TO twist the strands. 1t has lit
tie or no value, but adds 3 to 10 per
cent to the weight on which duty is as
sessed.
Having fixed up the Dingley bill to suit
their tastes. they proceeded TO reap their
profits by putting prices at home up to
the tariff limit, while lowering prices
TO foreigners so that our rope is ex-
ported TO every important foreign coun-
try with the possible exception OF Eng
land. As the duty on imported wire
rope Will average nearly 100 per cent.
the trust charges domestic consumers
more than twice what is charged for
eigners for its goods
In the following table are compared
net cash prices in America and Eng
land. The American prices are obtain
ed by deducting 90 per cent from the
price list OF John 4. Rocbling * Sons
company for galvanized transmission or
haulage rope composed Of six strands
and II hemp center. seven wires To the
strand. The ordinary discount To
"eN''S ~ 'i'i9 Si'''S Va iollc Is ohly ~
ana l2i2 per cent. But as some agents
get special discounts OH some kinds OF
goods. which amount TO 60 per cent net,
l have taken this lowest possible price
The English prices are those quoted IN
letter written April 10. 1902, by
leading English manufacturer to a
New York dealer. They are for gal
Vanized BIB wire rope. six strands, each
seven wires, and are (. o. b. Liverpool:
PRICE OF GALVANIZED STEEL WIRE ROPE
GENTS PER FooT).
Approx- A,,artcav