The Record-courier. [volume] (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1904-current, 1913-04-25
THE WOOL
MARKET


ed condition at present as result of
the discussion of the tariff bill by
congress, providing for drastic cuts
in the duty on goods and free
WOOL"
A total removal of the duty on
wool has been anticipated by the
trade. The view was generally held
that the bill passed by the Demo-
cratic house of representatives last
year, marked as great a reduction
as would be proposed at this time.
During the Democratic campaign
last year free wool was not advocat-
ed, and the stand which President
Wilson has taken in demanding that
wool be placed on the free list,
comes as decided surprise.
Manufacturers are also disap-
pointed at the inadequate duties i'm
posed on manufactured goods, and
are alarmed at the competition
which they will be forced to meet if
the new bill becomes a law.
Under these conditions, it is not
surprising that manufacturers have
ceased buying wool except such
stock as they need for immediate
use. Stocks of old wool in the
market are light, and this has pre-
vented the sharp decline in prices
which would no doubt have occurred
as result of the announcement of
the new tariff bill if stocks had been
normal. The tendency, however, is
towards lower prices, and an adj
justment is gradually taking place
that will bring values to free wool
basis.
1t is believed by many that the
bill will be amended in the senate,
and that when finally passed, it will
provide some measure of protection
for the wool growers. Until there
is some assurance that this will be
the case, however, there will be
much hesitation in buying new wool
and operations will no doubt be
based on the assumption that the
present bill will go through.
Aside from the industries immed-
lately objected by the proposed
changes in the tariff, business con-
ditions in the country are apparent
ly good.
There are so many bad features
in the Underwood bill as viewed
from the standpoint of the wool
grower and manufacturer, that it
is not possible to cover the matter
fully in a short article. The wool
growers are menaced not only by
the removal of the duty on wool but
even more seriously by placing on
the free list of partly manufactured
products such as noils, top waste,
ring waste, gainetted waste, shod-
dies and carbonized wool. These
partly manufactured products will
no doubt provide competition that
will be most severly felt by domestic
woods.
So many states, where woollgrow-
ing is a prominent industry, are
in the senate by Demo-
Gratis that it would seem that a
strong and concerted effort on the
part of those interested, could force
some improvement in the bill and
through determin ed OPP
p osition to the free wool provision.
We believe that the bill introduced
by the ways and means committee
represents the views of the most
radical element in the Democratic
party, and there is a good prospect
that before any agreement is reach
ed by the house and the senate,
there will be an improvement in the
bill, and that both wool growers and
manufacturers will be better cared
for than now appears. Many in
cline to the view that during the
time the bill is under discussion in
the house, the period of greatest de-
preston in the market will be reach
ed.