The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-08
TARIFF TRAINERS
ON DEFENSIVE
Developments In Markets Are
Not Helping Republicans
PRICES HAVE GONE HIGHER
Cotton and Woolen Goods Are Ad-
vancing, Which Takes Away Tar
iff Argument and Consumers
Must Pay the Freight.
PRICES HAVE GONE HIGHER
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington. October 7.-(Special.)-
Business and market developments since
the passage of the tariff bill have been
giving concern to men who will be caRed
upon to present a defense of that meas
ure in the campaign next year Democrats
are extracting eminent satisfaction and
likewise are Independent republican sup
porters of the men who voted against the
measure from various movements in the
markets.
The effects of cotton and wooden mar
kets are being watched with especial in
terest because the most bitter attacks
were made on both of these. As to these
the defenders of the bill are placed at Pc
culiar disadvantage. Prices of raw cotton
have gone up sharply on account of the
small crop In the south. Entirely aside
from all consideration of the tariff duties,
prices must advance because of the high
price of raw material. There is report of
slow movement of cotton fabrics in va
riouS lines, because of the increased
prices; and from the cotton centers of
| the south comes announcement that with
in fortnight mills in that section must
begin shutting down because of the i'm
possibility of marketing the products at
present prces.
Just now, 1t is said, the cotton goods
that are being turned out are the prod
uct of cotton which was bought at IL
cents or less. With everything indicating
that 13 cents will be the ruling price of
the new crop, prices are going up and
4 demand is being reduced
As to the trade in wooden fabrics, an
excellent illustration of conditions is af-
forded by the experience of the govern
menr forest service, which buys uniforms
for some 1890 Rangers in its employ. They
have been obtained under contract with a
| Cincir natl firm. Uniforms of corduroy
| are used in certain forests, while woolen
suits are necessary in others.
The manufacturers of clothing have
| served notice that under the terms of
/ the contract they must either annul it at
| the end of the year or have higher prices
| as to the woolen goods. There is no
| occasion for an advance In the corduroys
| but the worsteds must go up because
| the prices of cloth have sharply ad-
| vanced. After investigation the officers
| of the service have become convinced that
| the increase is unavoidable and they will
continue the old contract, granting the
advances. The case illustrates conditions
generally in the woolen industry. Prices
are going UP generally the clothing man.
ufacturers charge that the milmen have
! made 1t necessary by raising the price
of cloth; the millmen charge that the
garment makers are simply taking addi-
tional profits and putting the blame on
the tariff. Anyhow, the people who must
wear the goods find them costing more.
| Prof. William L. Lyle of the University
| of Virginia, was In the city tonight He
| is taking considerable interest in the
| Maryland suffrage amendment. That
amendment, 1t Is claimed, will disfran-
| chise the negro and make of Maryland
! a one-party state. Professor Lyle rea-
| sons just the opposite. He believes the
elimination of the negro will rebound
| to the benefit of the Maryland suffrage
and create new party division, based on
intelligence The professor points out
Virginia as an example.
"Since the elimination of the illiterate
| negro vote in Virginia." says he 1.-The
| republican party has greatly increased in
numbers. The republican party is
| cleansed to that extent that white man
votes the republican ticket without fear
| of social ostracism."
J. M. Hickey, chairman of the general
| committed having in charge the collection
| of funds to be used for the erection of a
| shaft In the Confederate section at Ar
| lington National cemetery turned into
| the general treasury last week s615. Out
| of $4,000 deemed necessary for the shaft
| about $1,000 has been collected. Former
! Secretary Of the Navy Herbert leaves for
| Birmingham next week and while in Ala
| bama hopes to considerably augment the
| fund.