The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-12-10
FOLLY TO EXCLUDE
FOREIGN WOOL,
DEALER SAYS
EDWARD FRENsDoRF. STATES
LEADING WOOL MERCHANT,
SAYS WE WOULD BE LEFT
WITH AN INFERIOR ARTICLE.

cial.)--l response 10 request by
The Times for his views on what
should be done in the way OF chang
ing the tariff on wool. Edward Frens-
dorf. OF the firm OF l.. Frensdorf a.
Son. the recognized leading wool deal
ers of Michigan, said to your CORE
spondent:
1T should not be construed that |
am an authority on this question sim
ply because ! am an extensive dealer
in this article. The title OF expert
can be claimed by few, IL any, In this
state, and when one knows the years
OF education and training In textiles
ii takes 10 acquire knowledge OF
wool. IL appears presumptuous on the
part Of dealers and growers about the
state to assume so much as to recon-
mend certain lines of legislation on j
subject OF which they have 50 meager
a knowledge.
II have a large acquaintance with
men interested In wool in this state,
and | am forced TO admit that these
men are not even well enough inform
ed on the tariff schedules on wool as
TO be able TO read them intelligently.
TO say nothing OF discussing them.
But these are the men that are per-
hitting themselves 10 be interviewed
and are filing columns in our news
papers-offering advice as TO how this
subject should be treated. | have no
doubt but that they know what ere
suit they would like to attain. but
they have no conception as TO how to
reach il.
Without the slightest excuse for
II, and indicating their total ignorance
of the subject under discussion--these
men rush TO the conclusion that revis-
ion means abolition. AS I understand
1t. nothing In the direction of free
wool is even limited at No one is ask.
ing for il. No one wants II. You can
fumigate house without burning 1t
TO the ground; SO also, can you purify
and correct the imperfections OF the
present Dingley schedule with benefit
TO all concerned.
Il am told that many lin fact, |
know of some instances where the
present schedule Is being imposed
upon) are defrauding by clever eva
sions OF the law A clear construc-
ton should be made OF each clause.
so as to not admit OF double inter
pretation-not leaving it optional with
each custom house AT each port OF
entry to construe the law to his own
liking
I'm my humble opinion, this whole
question should be left to a non-parti-
san commission OF experts, that jus
tice might be given both grower and
manufactures. If the wooden, the
worsted and the carpet industries are
10 be of consequence in the United
States, it will be necessary for us to
have access to the same woods as do
our competitors-this means wool
grown in all parts OF the world. With
our splendid facilities and most excel.
lent quality of labor. our natural in
genuity and progressiveness, We can
not only compete, but our clever styles
and designs would place our goods in
every civilized market the world over.
II can say from my experience that
II would be just as feasible for us to
exclude Havana tobacco from this
country, and still insist that we were
making the best cigars in the world.
as Ii Is TO exclude certain qualities OF
foreign WOODS and insist We can con.
struct as high grade of cloth as
these countries do, where they have
access to all grades and all qualities
OF wool, TO consummate all kinds OF
blends and mixtures necessary 10 pro-
duce certain fabrics.
Some kinds OF Connecticut leaf to-
bacco cannot be duplicated for certain
purposes. Wisconsin has 6 special to-
bacco leaf, better than any other for
a certain purpose, while Kentucky
produces almost all OF certain var
iety of tobacco necessary for the man.
ufacture of plug and fine cut chewing
tobacco. Importing the seed, or even
the tobacco plant from Cuba to Am
erica would not enable us 10 produce
anything like that which is grown in
Cuba. for II has been tried many
times The same can be said OF the
sheep In different parts OF our own
country. The fiber grown on sheep
Of the same breed varies surprisingly.
The soil, the climate, the grain. tho
pasture and the care all have an influ-
ence on the product. You cannot leg
islate TO overcome these conditions In
nature.
Providence has been good to us
and while our country excels In most
things, IL cannot In all. Why not
make the best Of what we have. and
II blend or q mixture can be made
that will improve our cigars or our
clothing. have It? After millions OF
dollars have been expended by each