The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1902-01-03
WOOL AND TARIFF.
WHY CHANGES IN DUTY SoHEDUEsL
ARE UNDESIRABLE.
Unstable Conditions Would He Injurious
Alike to Manufacturers and to American
Farmers Engaged In sheep and Wool
Growing.

| the years domestic wool clip Dy MI. ..
In. d. North of the National Associa-
ton of Wool Manufacturers. Reciproc-
ity schemes and methods for the bene-
fit of one industry at the expense OF
others have thrown upon Congress an
avalanche of literature. and some or
the recommendations indicate that
| selfish constituents are willing to sac
riflce the sheep raisers IL they can
thereby secure personal profit That
no change Is desirable in the tariff on
wool will appear obvious after little
sturdy of experiences in this Industry
under the last three revenue bills. Dur
ing the wise operations of the Mckln-
ley law domestic ranches increased and
the home production of wool rose to
348, 538, l38 pounds in 1898, while I'M
ports were but IS, 152 ,585 pounds. I'M
mediately after the enactment or the
Wilson bill foreign wool was thrown
upon this market in such abundance
that imports rose to $50, S52 ,026 pounds
in one year, an increase of 536 per cent
over the receipts from abroad under
the protective tariff, and exceeding
even the high record of domestic yield.
Meanwhile the home grower found no
profit in competing with Australian
and other eheaply raised wool, so that
sheep were sold for mutton and invest
ors in the industry lost large sums OF
money. The annual yield in the United
States steadily decreased until only
| nlinnpH in lXYI.
With the resumption of a reasonable
barrier against outside producers there
came a renewal of domestic interest
in this crop, and each year brought
larger total, until the report just
issued shows a clip OF 3O2,5o2,32S
pounds.
This question of prices has been the
most remarkable feature Of the situa-
ton, although less bewlldering when
studied in connection with the records
of imports and general business condi-
tons. According to the circular or
Coates Bros, one hundred grades OF
domestic wool averaged 22.7S cents
pound on May l. 1892, when the coun-
try was prosperous under sound tarln
law and wooden mills were actively
engaged. BY September 1, 1896, the
full effect of free trade was being felt,
and the same grades of wool averaged
1922 cents pound. This fall of AZ
per cent in price was not only due to
the competition of outside production
but also to the disastrous condition OF
all industries and business under low
tariffs, which rendered the wage earn
ers unable to purchase freely of warm
clothing. With the reversal OF tarin
policy and restoration of duty on
wool there came prompt recovery in
this business, together with such conf
dence that the speculative influence be-
came prominent. Despite large stocks
there was imitation of prices and in De-
cember, 1899, the average price was
| 2470 cents, nearly two cents higher
than in 1892. That the advance was
obtained too rapidly has since appeared
in the reaction to 17.06 cents, July l,
1901. Numerous and heavy failures were
precipitated by these erratic fiuctua-
lions, not only among growers, but
dealers and manufacturers. Misfor-
tunes must Of necessity follow unstable
conditions, and these Irregularities are
directly traceable to tinkering with the
tariff.
1t is not difficult to understand why
the recovery in all departments of this
Industry has been slow, and only with
in the last few months have distinctly
satisfactory conditions prevailed. In
addition to the enormous quantity of
wooden goods of all kinds that were &C
cumulated by importers, the receipts
of raw wool from abroad during the
three years ending July 1, 1897,
amounted to 7S7,797, 405 pounds. No
amount of prosperity could absorb this
enormous stock in a short time, and 1t
was q short-sighted policy that permit
ted the violent advance of prices, which
was naturally followed by severe re-
action. Even after the food of cheap
foreign wool had subsidized, home pro-
ducers and holders of domestic wool
made the mistake of initiating quota
lions all out of proportion to the gains
made in prices for the finished prod
ucts. Consumptive demand, 1t is true,
was greatly increased by the healthy
tone of ell business, but the rise in
price of wooden goods was slow. Manu-
facturers were compelled to resort to
the usual method under the circum-
stances, which was a reduction in quail
ity Shoddy and cheap substitutes were
used, while adulteration with cotton
was general. Ultimately the lack Of
orders produced a salutary effect on
the wool market. and prices were
brought down to a point where the
mills could do business at a profit.
WITHIN a very short time the situation
has developed signs of an encouraging
nature. aud a slight recovery in prices
is recorded. Manufacturers have or
ders assuring full occupation of mills
until well into next year, and within a
| few weeks their purchases OF raw ma