The Washington herald., 1909-06-03

declaring that 20 let down the protect
i've tariff wall built about the coal and
petroleum industries would wreck the
future OF West Virginia, and. IN a scarce
less degree. impair the mining interests
Of the whole country. Senator Elkins. OF
West Virginia, yesterday in the Senate
made one Of the most exhaustive
speeches on those two schedules that has
been heard during the present tariff dis
cussion.
He spoke for protection as a prime
necessity Reduction Of duties" he ex-
planned. is one thing. but taking them
of certain American products is quite
different This is not reduction, but de-
struction.
The tariff debate in the Senate and
the public press has disclosed the fact
that protection and the protective policy
is growing stronger throughout the
whole country" said Senator Elkins. Sen
ators favoring reduction in rates be-
lieve. are good protectionists. and desire
to make protection stronger by the
course they are pursuing. but when they
go so far as TO ask that certain Ameri-
can products termed raw materials be
put on the free list they are mistaken
Reduction OF duties IS one thing, but TAX
ing duties of certain American products
is quite different this is not reduction,
but destruction.
7 still believe that protection IN its
brOadest and best sense would be
strengthened by placing a duty on every
American product competing with for
eign products in our markets. thereby
insurins some measure Of protection OF
some share in the distribution of duties
on all competing American products. dis
eliminating against rome. Some Senators
consider what is called raw materials are
not such products as are entitled TO pro-
lection. What is generally termed raw
material IN one section IS the manu-
factUred products OF another. Whenever
money IS invested in raw materials and
labor has been expended on them, they
become manufactured products, and are
entitled 70 protection the same as any
other product and for the same reason.
Coal Production.
'The coal production Of the United
States last year was E9O0O.OO0 tons, val
ued at the mouth Of the mine at about
500 100000. This includes anthracite coal.
Coal should always be considered IN
connection with transportation, because
before coal becomes valuable for com
merciaI purposes it must reach the point
Of distribution and consumption. Tht
transportation IS more valuable than the
coal Coal going 70 New England from
West Virginia IS worth, say, 1875 10 SIS
a ton at any OF the ports IN New Eng
land or this. s2l0 is transportation
Transportation Of E9,OOO.0O0 tons Of Goa
costs about $4,000, 900. so that the cos
OF mining coal and its transportation 1.
about Sl,200,0G0 900 a year. This is a.
enormous amount Of money received eacl
year from one industry.
Coal in West Virginia.
West Virginia produced last year owe
100000 tons OF coal, valued az the moutl
o. the mine al about 81. 10000. transpOr
tation on same to points Of consumption
was about s6400O.O00; total for coal an
transportation. S1O4.OO0OOO.
1T IS estimated that $1,000 miners an,
Iaborers are enjoyed IN and about III
mines in West Virginia
Coal mining IS the chief industry o
West Virginia, and has been for genera
tions. The owners and operators OF Goa
mines are not alone the parties interest
ed. The coal miners, coke drawers, han
dlers.sand outside laborers dependent OF
the successful operation OF the coal prom
critics are interested. The bankers. rner
chants, grOceTs, and farmers near tn
mines. as well as many other people. ar
directly or indirectly interested in thi
great industry. A large coal plant is al
ways the nucleus OF a town, which de
pends on the working OF the mine. Tn
abandonment or the closing Of large an
established mines. or their impairment
would destroy whole communities an
towns and bring distress and ruin I
many people
During the past two years the oil prc
duction has doubled IN America. The pro
duction is $16.OO0.OOO greater in value tha
the output Of gold and silver in th
United States.
Last year the OIL producers OF m
United States. fighting in the neutral-cor
suming countries Of the world. exporte
oil OF the value OF $lC4.000,O0O. Since o
production began we have exported 81
000O00,000 worth Of oil. Think OF this vas
amount Of money coming into this cour
tr-y from one industry
There are 10000 men engaged IN n
production Of oil in the United States. O
whose labor 2,550OO0 people depend. an
the daily wages paid are about 81 900 90
or approximately S3O0.CC0.0O0 per annun
This includes the production, refnini
and shipping Of petroleum. as also n
manufacturing OF petroleum products.
The value OF the oil-producinR prov
erty of independent concerns and inde