The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-07-23
Congressman Fordney for Free Hides

Congressman Fordney for Free Hides
Washington, ID. c.. July Coon
gresham Fordney for free hides is
the remarkable announcement ema-
mating from the Michigan congress-
man heretofore regarded as a high
priest of protection; in an interview
he declares himself unequivocally
that he is forever and eternaliy
against any protection that is simply
for the purpose of creating and
conserving a monopoly.
81 believe in protection to Ameri-
can industries" said the Saginaw
man, "and 1 want that protection TO
be ample; but / am convinced that
the high tariff on certain articles of
commerce on which there Is a mo-
nopoly in America will result in ruin
for many thousands of worthy peo-
pie. Leather is one of them.
Means Meat Trust Monopoly.
"a duty on hides means the mo-
nopoly of the leather business by
the great meat packing houses of
the country, and the consequent
ultimate dissolution of the present
widely diversified tanning industry
of the United States. l am led to
this belief by some significant facts.
One of these is that the beef trust
has men all over the country buying
hides and skins from the butchers
and farmers of every state. The
trust also, of course, has the hides
resulting from it's Strengthening bust
ness.
"Now, when you take this along
with the fact that the trust has been
acquiring tanneries you begin to
understand my point Of view But
you will understand it better when
tell you that year and a half ago
hides were selling in this country
for seven and a half cents a pound,
while at the present time the price
is 16% cents. as you will find if you
try to buy any for your tannery.
Wyoming is the state that ap-
pears to make the most noise about
this matter. In my state of Michi-
gan there are twice as many cattle
as in all Wyoming. One would think
from the way those western people
talk that all the cattle and all the
hides in the country come from their
part Of the United States. The truth
is that the cattle range states pro-
duce but a comparatively small frac-
ton of the total cattle and hides
consumed by the people of the coun-
try.
I therefore hold that it is about
time for these western states to quit
demanding that Congress turn over
the leather business of the United
States to the beef trust.
Tail Trying to Wag Dog.
1.-The census of 1900 showed near
ly 20.000,000 head of cattle more
than one year old east of the Mis-
sissippi. while that entire group of
western states claiming to dominate
the cattle industry had less than
100000 head. The state of Texas
alone had more than 1000, 900 head.
And yet they tell us those western
states threaten to talk the tariff
bill to death if they are not given
tariff on hides! Talk about the tail
trying to wag the dog.
1.-THE last census shows the west
ern states to have had 6,69900O
head of cattle, and the rest of the
country no less than 45,79O,O00
head Where do the western states
secure their license to demand free
hides, as against the remainder of
the United States and the certain
creation of leather monopoly?
They do not and cannot claim
that free hides will ruin the cattle
industry. But duty on hides will
clean out the entire in
dependent tanning business. Our
duty. as conferees on the tariff bin
and as representatives of the people
appear to me too plain to be mis-
taken. Of course this matter is in
and may have to be COM
promised in order to reach set
Element, but ! should regard q duty