Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-03-19
PROTECTION AND WOOL.
A Few Figures and Comparisons
to Make the Farmer Think.

A Few Figures and Compartment
to Make the Farmer Think.
It is rather singular that about all
the products of the farm that have no
real tariff protection are advancing in
price very materially, but wool, the
one product that is protected to the
verge of prohibition, is standing still
and in some classes even declining In
price. Cotton has been bringing more
than the average price the farmer and
sheep ranch men are getting for wool.
There is no tariff on cotton, no protec-
ton fosters its growth, while the tariff
on wool is IL cents pound. How can
our protection enthusiasts explain this
anomaly, which, according to their
theory, shows that the duty on wool Is
still too low? Why don't they amend
the tariff and give the farmer more
protection instead of standing pat? The
imports of foreign wool are increasing.
The last report of commerce and
finance issued by the department OF
commerce and labor gives the imports
of wool for the eleven months ending
Nov. 80. 1901. in pounds as III. las, 490;
1902, 161, 1,31S; 1903. 1853, 27S, 1893.
Thus for the same period foreign wool
has been coming in the past year at
the rate of over 100000 pounds more
than in 1901.
What is the reason for this increased
competition Of the foreign wool grow
erS with our home products? In spite
OF nearly 100 per cent protection the
sheep industry is not so prosperous as
it was when we had free wool under
the tariff of 1894. The price of wooden
goods is declining from the inability OF
the great majority OF our people TO buy
clothing. Cotton and shoddy have
largely taken the place OF wool from
the sheer necessity of the family with
limited incomes to meet the increased
cost of living. The importation of for
eign wool is principally of the coarse
grades used in the manufacture of car
pets. That class OF wool our wool
growers cannot supply in sufficient
quantity to meet the demand. and
the high tariff only adds to the cost of
the articles made from il. The farmer
when he buys carpet or other prod
uct made of coarse wool pays big tax
on ii, with not even the cOmpensating
advantages of an increased profit on
the wool he himself raises. Those
farmers who do not raise sheep are
practically unprotected by the tariff. al
though nearly all agricultural products
are included in Schedule q of the tar
iff law, yet the surplus of agricultural
products raised above what this coun-
try can consume when sold abroad
must compete in the worlds markets.
and the price is fixed by the foreign
buyers. The price paid in the home
market Is controlled by the price the
surplus brings. so in that case protec-
ton does not protect the farmer. There
are n few exceptions to this rule. in
Guiding those who raise sugar cane,
rice and wrapper tobacco, but the
trusts that control the market for those
products get the largest slice of the
profits Some farmers who live near
the Canadian border may be slightly
protected by the lack of competition on
eggs and vegetables from their Cana
dian neiGhbOrs. but this advantage. If
any, is more than overcome by the in
creased price of what they purchase.
The farmer that votes to continue the
protective tariff votes to protect and
foster the trusts. and he not only pays
the tariff tax to the government, but
much greater tax on about all he buys
to the favored corporations