East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-04-12

Urges That Sheepmcn be Prepared
When the Tariff Commission Calls
Upon Them to Furnish Data on Ex-
act Expense of Running Their
Shecp-ShOuld BE Able to Show
That Only Il Fair Profit is Made
Under Present Conditions - One
Thousand Letters are TO be Sent To-
gcthcr With Night Letter Blanks.
Dan 2. Smythe of this city secre-
tary Of the oregon Woolgrowers' as
-ciation, is today sending letters and
INT blanks to one thousand sheep
mc1 throughout the northwest, urg-
m to telegraph Immediately to
.--4-4,Ors Bourne and Chamberlain
prtesting against any change in tariff
Schedule X and asking that the ques-
tion of revising the wool tariff not be
considered until at least after the
tariff commission reports He insists
that western woolgrowers appreciate
their responsibility and are awake to
the realization that any reduction in
OF the industry
He urges also that the sheepmen
be prepared when the tariff commits
sion calls upon them within the next
few weeks to furnish data on the ex-
act expense Of running their sheen.
the amount of proceeds they receive
from the sale of sheep and wool.
showing tEat only a fair profit Is
made under present conditions.
The Letter.
Following is a copy of the letter
which is being sent broadcast:
Pendleton, Ore, April :, 1911.
Dear Sir:+The best authority from
Washington, d. c., including leaders
Oh both sides Of congress; concede
that no power on earth can prevent
the democratic house from reducing
tne tariff in wool about &c a pound.
lut there i. thank fortune, a general
ceiling that the L. ;. senate is not
likely t. pass any tariff bill. The
tariff situation, however. seems to be
% thc hands of five or six western
.nsursent senator's. The western
sheepmen do not seem to have realiz-
ed that this tariff reduction will mean
the utter ruin of the industry. Very
few letters have come in from west
ern sheepmen and nothing seems to
make them realize their responsible
ity.
| am, therefore, enclosing you a
night letter blank and most urgently
request that you wire to either Sem
ator Chamberlain or Bourne. or both
if you can, vigorous protest against
any change in Tariff Schedule X, and
, that the question of revising the wool
tariff not be considered until at least
after the tariff commission reports. I
think we can safely take chances on
the tariff commission as We should
not fear the exact facts.
| The cost of sending this night letter
will be very small and you will ac-
complish great good for the wool in
dustry and probably be the means of
+ saving it from ruin. This telegram
should be sent within the next two
or three days or it will not do much
/ good. as Schedule X will be the first
thing congress will consider; l urge
you again to give this your immediate
attention and not put it in your pock-
ct or lay it to one side and forget
about it. This means that everyone
should do this and not a few. and you
by all means should send in this tele-
gram.
Please have your banks, CONNER
cial clubs, merchants and business
men write letters, to Senators Cham
berlain and Bourne, protesting against
any change in the wool tariff.
In a few weeks tariff commission
will probably call on you for data on
the exact expense of running sheep
in the state of Oregon. 1t is request
ed that you be prepared to furnish
them with accurate data on cost OF
running your sheep and the amount OF
proceeds you receive from the sale
of sheep and wool. showing that only
at least a small profit is made, under
present conditions. Please be care
full and give the exact facts because
If the case is over-stated it will dc
more harm than good. The sheep
men are entitled to a fair profit ant
t. is not expected that they shoult
run at Il less. | believe we have moth
ing to fear in presenting the tru,
facts of cur case, so be prepared t
give accurate data as to cost of pro
ducing kool and mutton. This is tn,
most critical time ever known to tn,
industry and your support and actor
is badly needed.
Very truly yours,
DAN P. SMYTHE, Secretary.