Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-11-16
An Open Letter to Congressman
Cousins,

have read with much interest your let
ter to Mr.. Kissick Of Oskaloosa, an
swering certain questions propounded
by him relative to the tariff on iron
and steel, and 1t has occurred to me-
that many of your constituents might
be interested to know your views on
some other phases of the tariff ques-
ton not brought out in your rsply to
that gentleman.
For the information of those WHO
know nothing of my record as to party
regularity, l will state in the outset that
was a member Of the convention that
started you upon your congressional
career, that supported you in that
convention and have since supported
you at the polls as often as you have
been candidate. In addition to this.
l have given to republican policies
and candidates my earnest support
since the time when you were school,
boy. The questions to which desire
answers are as follows:
l. Weng the manufactured products
of iron and steel referred to in your
reply to Mr.. Kissick as having been
imported during the last two fiscal
years, strictly competitive in kind and
quality? Please give principal items
and state whether their equivalents in
quality and value are produced here.
2. If said imports were strictly COM
petitive in kind and quality, how did
it happen that we exported during the
same period, several times as much
in value as we imported?
8. Is it not true that American la
Dor engaged in manufacturing is much
more efficient and productive than for
eign labor in the same line?
a. Is the labor cost of a ton of
American steel any greater than the
same element of cost in England?
5. Is 1t not matter of record that
expert evidence of the highest charac-
ter has shown that steel is produced
more cheaply in this country than any
where in the world in spite of our
higher wage scale?
6. Do you not believe that the pres
ent wage scale could be paid by the
U. S. Steel Corporation without the
aid of any tariff whatever, II 1t We're
only necessary for 1t to earn, in addi-
ton to wages and other legitimate
operating expenses, fair return on
the actual cash value Of Its plant?
II not, why not?
Z. Are you In favor OF a tariff on
any commodity, high enough to yield
more than fair American wages and
fair return on. the actual investment!
Please answer yes or no.
8. Do the bonds and stocks OF the
u. S. Steel Corporation represent any
thing more than the actual cash value
OF it's plant? Please answer yes or no.
II yes, how much Is water? II no,
quote reliable authority other than
said company.
9. Is 1t not true that American
steel rails and possibly some other
steel products have been sold abroad
in considerable quantities in recent
years as prices materially lower than
was charged to the domestic consumer
at the same time? Please answer yes
or no. 2
10. II yes, do you approve Of IT, or
do you regard 1t as robbery OF the
domestic customer?
IL. II the products thus sold abroad
command fair price and yield fair
profit, what kind OF a profit is made
upon the vastly greater quantities sold
in domestic markets at from twenty to
thirty -three per cent higher prices?
Believing that these questions are
timely and that your constituents have
claims upon you fully as strong as
those of any outsider would sug-
gest that you answer at your earliest
convenience and as fully as possible,
quoting recognized and impartial au-
thorities Cor all statements of fact.
Very truly yours,
]. d. Morrison.