The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-07-31
Balance Of Trade Now Asginst v. S.
Continued from pagel.)


cen:.
The author of the article in your
paper, with considerable sarcasm,
referred to a box which ! used on
several occasions in explaining the
wool schedule, and which was used
before certain congressional commit
tees in Washington when the tariff
was under consideration. He claim
ed the box contained samples Of wool
clipped from "pauper sheep" etc OF
Europe and conveyed the impression
that the purpose of the box was to
make comparisons of prices and
quality Of American and foreign
wool. These statements are abso-
lutely false. AS is well known, the
wool schedule is very complicated.
On account of false statements and
Misunderstanding regarding tariff
duties on manufactures of wool,
had that box to aid me in making an
intelligent explanation of the matter
The box contained domestic wool in
the different stages of manufacture,
raw wool, secured wool, tops, yarns,
etc. and its purpose was to explain
the labor required in converting raw
wool into the finished product and to
show the necessity of tariff protec-
tion to the American wooden manu-
facturer. The American wool grow
er, it is not denied, must look to the
American manufacturer for a mar
ket for his wool. A tariff law that
would not permit the wooden manu-
facturers to exist in this country,
would destroy the American wool
growing industry. The Democratic
tariff law, with raw wool on the free
list, has maintained a limited meas
ure of protection for the wooden
manufacturer, and, while the wooden
industry is far from prosperous, it
still manages to exist. The depend
ency of the wool grower upon the
domestic manufacturer is the same
as ever, and that box is as valuable
in explaining the wooden industry
now as it was in the last campaign.
The fact that supply and demand at
this particular time has increased
the price of wool, the world over,
has no bearing, whatever, on the
necessity of tariff protection to the
American wooden manufacturer
against foreign cheap labor. More
over, If there should be a decline in
the foreign price of wool, with free
trade, the American wool grower
will suffer.
The continued criticisms appear
ing in your paper of my tariff policy,
presume, are published in the in
terest of some political opponent or
opponents of mine. Nothing would
please me more than to have my pol
itical opposition this fall go on rec
ord as heartily approving the new
tariff law and endeavor to defend the
before the voters of Shiawas-
see county, and the balance of the
eighth congressional district. | glad
ly go on record now with the state
ment that the Democratic tariff law
Is a menace to the welfare of this
country, to the farmer, laborer and
and must sooner orl
later be recognized as a failure.
Further that free wool Is a discrim-
nation against the American farmer
and has materially aided in the great
loss in Gus balance of trade. OF the |
total increase of importations under
The new tariff law, no less than 20
per cent of the same has been
brought about by the increased i'm
Of raw wool.
l believe you will concede that I |
I'm frank and open in my position on
he tariff and am consistent. / do
lot favor free trade on what I pur-
'hase and my neighbor has to sell; |
10 not believe in free trade on what
sell and my neighbor has to pur-
'hase. believe in protection to all
American labor alike, whether on
he farm or in the factory.
The author of the article in ques-
ion is either exceedingly ignorant
If the facts in the matter about
which he writes, or else he twists
md misstates the facts with malice.
He shows considerable cleverness in
he art of criticism and sarcasm, but
he article has a conspicuous alb
'ence of truth and logic. If he be-
ieves free wool has benefited this
he has been negligent in not /
showing wherein such benefit exists
The importations as above shown,
have greatly increased; the govern
ment has lost large sums of money |
formerly collected on wool; and the |
has not been benefited. A |
shortage exists in the worlds supply |
Of wool ting to some $50, 000,-
300 pounds and the price of raw
wool in the United States slightly adj
In conclusion, my dear friend,
Mr.. White, believe you to be an
honest, upright public spirited citi-
en- and that you aim to do the great
est good to the greatest number.
You want good times and prosperity
to prevail and so do /. AS the rep
of the people Of the
eighth congressional district, would
you advise me to vote. for free trade
and low tariff rates as provided for
In tho Underwood law, or would you
have me favor a protective tariff suf-