The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-04-10
HOW OUR INDUSTRIES ARE
AFFECTED.

Here is how some OF the important
West Virginia and Ohio interests will
be affected by the proposed Under
wood tariff bill, should It become a
law.
Merino woods have a protective duty
OF about lie per pound. The Under
wood bill entirely removes this duty.
In other words, lie VIII be taken
from the value OF every pound OF wool
grown by the wool growers OF West
Virginia and Ohio. 4 very careful
study of wool production by the tariff
commission revealed the fact that II
cost the merino wool growers OF this
section about 20c a pound to grow
their wool. The market price OF
merino wool has ranged from 26c TO
2ec. lie reduction from that price
will destroy the profit OF the wool
growing industry.
West Virginia and Ohio coal has en-.
joyed protective duty OF 45c per ton.
By virtue OF this duty. West Virginia
producers have been able to ship their
coal to the New York. Boston. Phil.
adelphia. Baltimore and Savannah
markets and practically control all of
this immense coast trade. With the
duty removed this entire market viii
be open on advantageous terms TO the
coal producers of New Foundland and
Nova Scotia. They will have a lower
freight rate to most American sea
ports on the Atlantic Sea Board. and
the greater portion OF this market viii!
be lost TO West Virginia producers.
Naturally their surplus coal will h..
turned to the west where it will come
into even sharper competition than
heretofore. with Ohio. Indiana and
Pennsylvania coal.
Lumber has had a protective duty
OF 500 per ton. The Underwood bill
proposes entirely TO remove this duty
In effect. therefore. it will reduce the
value OF every foot Of sawed lumber
In West Virginia $500 per thousand
and proportionately will reduce the
value OF every tree standing on the
hillsides OF this state.
Tin plate Is one Of the most valu
able and important productions OF the
Ohio Valley. over 5000 men are en-
ployed in making tin plate in the Firsi
Congressional District in West Vir
GINA. Heretofore and at the present
time tin plate IL protected 10 the
amount Of $1,000 per ton. or about
SOC. The Underwood bill propose,
TO reduce this duty 10 an advaloreu
duty OF 200 or approximately 500
per ton The reduction OF tho tir
plate duty therefore will mean 70
duction in the selling price N tir
plate OF from $500 20 SIC ~ per ton
an amount much larger than IN,
profit AZ present enjoyed by the tir
plate manufacturers. That reduction
can be made only through a reduction
ia wages and through The in'rodur,
ion OF economies ~ the most drasti,
character. Even then very larg,
proportion Of tho markets enjoyed b-
American tin plate manufacturers ar,
almost certain 10 be lost
II IL hardly necessary N comrer
upon this plain statement NJ facts
Unfortunately tho manufacturing an,
Industrial interests NJ the Ohio Vale
we're not strongly represented In M
COMMITTEES that framed Tho Under
wood tsriH bill That committee Iik
any other organization created bv th
representative n Democratic ma
jority IN The House n Represent
siives. VAS dominated by influence
sympathetic with rho southern state
and not especially interested I'm fh
Industries Of this section.