The Washington times., 1909-06-03
Saws Free Oil and Coal
Would Be Disastrous to
American Producer.
WANTS PROTECTION
BUT IN A FAIR WAY
Declares Measure Must Be Made
Right So II Will Stand
Test of Time.

cheaper. They also have the advantage
in transportation. The distance from
the Nova Scotia mines to the New Eng
land markets is about 600 miles by
water. and only twelve or fifteen miles
by rail. while West Virginia coal des-
tined to New England has to bo hauled
400 miles by rail and 600 miles by water.
Nova Scotia coal is inferior TO the
best West Virginia coal, and equal to
the ordinary Goals of the State, but the
Nova Scotia coal is not so inferior as to
prevent the invasion Of New England
markets by Nova Scotia coal in case
the duty of 81 cents is taken on or the
duty reduced. If Nova Scotia can sell
100, 00G tons of coal TO New England end
pay the duty, how much would she sell
II the duty Is taken Off We tried this
experiment of free coal once, and we
got In 30O0O 900 tons In eight months,
some of which came from England.
We tried reciprocal trade with Can
ada in coal and other PRODUCTS, mostly
agricultural, from 1884 to 1855, and aban-
doned Il. During this time II seems that
Canada did not ask for reciprocity on
coal, and a duty was constantly levied
on Canadian coal.
Both Canada and tho United States,
after a fair trial of a'aodt ten years,
abandoned reciprocity on all products.
Hits Free Oil
Senator Elkins objected to free oil and
said the Standard could stand II bet
ter than the Independent. He said:
Placing petroleum and its products
on the free list would benefit Russia,
Mexico. Canada, and the Dutch Indies,
and be a great stimulant TO the develop
merit of every foreign petroleum in
dustry. The damage that would follow
would be felt by the independent oil
producer all over the country. because
prices, too low in some localities al
ready, would still further decline. The
Standard Oil Company could stand this
better than the Independent producer
''The plethora of 1eO.0OO.O0O barrels Of
crude oil in the United States ready
for shipment should he strong incec
tive TO sustain its supremacy In the
worlds markets, rather than 70 destroy
its value By Offering the American mar
kets unreservedly to foreign competitors.
These countries have a large surplus
available for export. and against this
surplus the American product is COM
peting in the neutral competing mar
kets of the world.
Japan, while already large and increas-
ing, is still inadequate for their home
requirements.
Canadian Industry.
"The producing and refining industry
OF Canada would be promptly stimulated
by new free market across her from
tier.
ITALY. Egypt, Algiers. Assam, Peru.
South Africa, Australia, and New Zea-
land produce oil, and capital is being
found to aid In its development
Russia. Austria. ard Mexico, with an
aggregate population of about 90. .ooo. 600
people. are the great competitors of the
United States in the production Of pc
troIeum. The combined annual produc-
tion OF petroleum in these countries last
year was 100000 barrels. Their per
ca pita consumption was tWenty-eight
seventy-fifths OF a barrel Under tho
Dingley bill these countries could have
had free trade at any time with the
United States on petroleum and its prod
ucts, vet they refused IL. The produc-
ton Of crude petroleum In the United
S., ,000. 600, was 1S2, 10000 barrels OF oil.
The per capita production in the United
States was two and twelve eighty.
fifths barrels.
"The United States is both the largest
producing and the largest oil-consuming
country in the world, and not only has
II the largest surplus available for ex-
port, but such surplus has today need
OF enlarged markets. With these facts
possible that II will put oil on the free
list to the great injury OF the inde-
pendent producers of the United States
Removing the cOurtervailing duty
without substituting 6 specific duty
would be giving up tn, unconditional
freedom Of the greatest market of the
world without any retGrn.'