The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1909-04-10

s1.75 and into the interior points at
about 81 a thousand. 1t will therefore
be seen that at best the Canadian
has S4 advantage of us in freight
and as to lake ports, between S6 and
ST. 1t would seem that mere state
ment of this difference would dem
onstrate beyond controversy the
great disadvantage under which we
labor, and which would be increased
past the point of business endurance
if lumber were put on the free list.
'In addition to all this it must be
remembered that the price of lumber
has declined very appreciably within
the last two years. Without having
the actual figures before us, | know
that | am well within the facts when
state that there has been de-
crease in price to the manufacturer
of an average of at least 81 a thous-
and on his cut. / have heard this
statement met with the reply that
the price of lumber has not been
reduced to the consumer-whish may
be, and probably is, true-but the
fact remains the difference has gone
elsewhere than into the manufacture
may have done, whatever he may be
able to accomplish by way of agree
ment or otherwise, to maintain his
prices, there has been no malnten-
ance of prices to the man who makes
the lumber He has suffered to the
extent that l have just indicated. In
the depression that existed during
the late panic l went from one end
of my district to the other. Fully So
per cent in number and 20 per
cent in capacity of the mills were
closed and remained closed for
months because it was impossible to
operate them under existing condl-
tiCns.
yellow pine was at its best per-
haps about two years ago. Since
that time, by reason of the decrease
in price and an almost unprecedented
falling off in demand, three of the
largest and most important concerns
in my district have been forced into
the hands of a receiver and their
creditors, know, with practical GER
tainty that their debts will not be
paid. These mills are not small, but
great concerns.
81 have always regarded the pres
ent duty on lumber as defenSible as
a revenue duty. Ever since 1899 the
imports of lumber and other forest
products have steadily increased. I'm
mediately following the enactment of
the Dingley law there was a tempora-
ry cessation of lumber imports, but,
beginning with 1900, imports were
stimulated and have been steadily
increasing. l have caused to be pre-
pared by the Department of Com
merce and Labor figures showing the
amount of lumber and shingles i'm
ported from Canada, which show the
estimated ad valorem upon imports
from Canada was based upon prices
in 1908 1910 per cent Can it be
said a duty which is less than II
per cent ad valorem and which yield
ed a revenue of $3,650,000 is not a
revenue duty Can it be said that it
is not justified either by imports and
burdens that laid upon the business
or by the amount of money which it
yields for the support of the govern
ment as well. Certainly when both
propositions are considered it can
not be contended that the duty on
lumber is either protective or prohib-
itory. or that the revenue which it
produces is so small and unimportant
in amount as to be lightly considered
when determining how we shall raisa
governmental expenses.
Just at this point | am interrupted
by a friend who advises me that the
late Senator George one of the great
est constructive statesmen the South
has contributed to national affairs
since the war-as sturdy an advo-
cate of a Democratic tariff as ever
lived and as true a friend of the
people as ever spoke either in coun-
ell or on the hustings-advocated and
voted for a tariff on lumber on prac-
tically the same grounds | now take.
THE whole question is involved
and solved by the doctrine | have
tried to make the central idea of my
remarks-fairness and equality OF
treatment. | am unalterably opposed
to protection and if my idea could be
crystalized into law we would have
bill framed purely along revenue
lines, having, of course, due regard
to existing business conditions. II
is proclaimed that this measure is in
tended further to vitalize and keep
in force the Republican principle OF
protecting and hot-housing certain in
dustries at the expense of others
My protests against it is double
protest-against the principle and a
protest against the unfairness OF
not treating all industries alike.
"You have taxed my people or
everything that they use to the las1
degree that it will stand. You have
followed maximum that | have
heard uttered in certain circles OF
putting on all. that the traffic viii
bear. and in many instances more
You have Disseminated against every
product of my State and section. 1ot
have placed upon us all the burdens
and now / am expected. because | an
a Democrat, opposed to the principle
of protection and believing in a tariff
| for revenue, to illustrate an abstract
| idea by vopng to put lumber on the
| free list and destroy one Of the great
est interests of this country. | an
practically asked, inasmuch as / can
not demonstrate my views otherwise
or be given an opportunity to put
them into effect by reducing the tar
! iff on products which my people con
sumo and upon all products to rev
enue basis, to make them victime up
on the protection altar, in order tha
| l may proclaim to the world that | a
for a tariff for revenue only. Meth
er Democracy, fair dealing, homes
government, nor fealty to my part.
require it. The interests and indus
trial life of my people forbid it. NJ,