East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-11-22

Pendleton, Nov 22, 19O7.-(Editor
East Oregonlan.)- looking over
the American Wool and Cotton Re-
porter from Boston, dated November
14th instant, we read of an eastern
manufacturer telegraphing his agent
in Bradford. England, to purchase
and forward 10000 pounds of 64s
quality greasy merino WOOL and pay
therefor 81 cents per pound.
His Bradford agent replied that for
the moment that market was down
to the sleeps back on this quality.
This order Is probably filled by this
time, as colonial woods are pouring
into that city almost weekly. The
point | wish to make touching this
matter, Is what Is this wool worth
to this eastern manufacturer? He
first pays 81 cents per pound. then
freight charges to Liverpool, from
there to Boston, and there pays IL
cents per pound duty. Thus duties,
freights, insurance. etc, will increase
the value to about As cents per pound.
Remember, this wool is in the grease.
Further, we observe in the same
paper of the date of November Z, that
the imports OF wool from foreign
countries into the United States for
the nine months ending September
last reached 16O,351,744 pounds,
valued at $34, 4,462.5S7.
1t might perhaps interest some of
your readers to know what the mean
ing of the figures, CAS-, are intended
for, which the American manufacture
er used in telegraphing his agent in
England.
1t is explained as follows: All
yarns are numbered according to the
spinning quality of the wool, and is
obtained in the following manner;
that $50 yards of yard in one hank;
this hank is one pound in weight.
one pound equals 1000 grains av-
oirdupOls, hence divide this weight
by $50 yards we have 12la grains, the
weight of one yard.
This weight is the unit or standard
for all numbers. for example. knit
ting yarns are often made into las,
16's 1S's, etc, which means they
must not weigh over 12A grains.
These numbers run from 10 to 100,
which simply signifies so many yards.
When the American manufactures
telegraphed his agent in England for
CAS- quality of wool, he meant that
this wool should be fine enough that
he could make 81 yards weigh no
more than 1914 grains.
To get a knowledge of the fineness,
let us multiply 81 by $50, which
equals 35,S4O yards, or a little over
20 miles, from one pound of this
wool.
Now, Mr.. Editor in view of the fact
that eastern manufacturers are oblig-
ed to import such immense quantities
of wool and pay an excessive tariff
thereon, naturally, is creating dis
satisfaction. This feeling is growing
and in the near future a demand will
be made by them for a reduction OF
this exorbitant tariff Of nearly IL
cents per pound. They will be able to
show by the changed conditions of
trade and population that it is un-
warrantable.
They will show that the wool grow
er is also a mutton grower, and is
reaping good returns from the lat
| ter. Why should he still expect a
high protection on the former?
1t is admitted that the supply OF
wool is diminishing; then why con-
tlnue to protect It? 1t is also admit
ted that the range Is growing poorer
and smaller.
We believe the true remedy for the
bette erment of wool growers In this
state of oregon Is to gradually fence
UP such lands as can be made into
suitable pasture and bestow more
care and attention on the animal and
thus increase the value of the fleece.
We observe there are two wooler
mills in this part of the state. both
idle, caused 1t Is said, by high priced
labor and wool,
The former will regulate Itself
while the latter 1t Is hoped, will be
justly dealt with by congress.
1t is to be regretted very much thai
those mills cannot be operated, ir
view of the fact that there are sc
many young men and women grow
ing up practically without any pur'
pose or aim in life; continued idle
ness breeds immortality and In fac
1t Is the DEVILS workshop.