Show LliAD The Tariff Question being Agitated in Salt Lake The tariff reform agitation which is now the most prominent feature in national politics is manifesting itself in this anarchal region The great bulk of Utah mines are lead producing and as lead ore and pig or bar lead are among the the things likely to be effected by any general tariff reduction mining min-ing men in this section are considerably con-siderably concerned The import duty on lead ore is 11c andon pig or bar lead 2c This duty practically prac-tically amounts to a prohibition so far as the shipment into this country of any lead ore or pig lead is concerned con-cerned and for that reason domestic dome-stic lead does not suffer by the competition of cheap labor in other countries In Utah this duty is particularly advantageous advantage-ous As is known what with heavy railroad freights cost of labor etc it is sometimes impossible to compete com-pete with domestic lead producers and when the price falls quite low as it not infrequently does Utah lead is practically out of the market for the reason that it is impossible to pay the high railroad freights and then successfully enter the competitive i competi-tive marts where lead is bought and I sold with any hope of sales at reasonably rea-sonably profitable figures Were it not for the excessive import duty which keeps foreign lead out of our country Utah could ne verit is held find a market and our mining industries in-dustries would be paralyzed jot the reason above given that a majority of our mines are lead producing The great damage to this country and actual suffering such a result would entail can readily be imagined imag-ined It is not with Utah as with other places she has no water route and is so far from commercial centres that she could never hope to enter the lists with foreign competitors unless the railroads would carry her lead and ore at next to nothing if not at an actual loss In view of these apprehensions a meeting of persons interested was called and met and a committee consisting con-sisting of LE Rolden Esq Hon James Sharp F Billings Esq W S McCornick Esq and George M Scott was appointed to investigate the matter and draw up a memorial to Congress remonstrating against any reduction in the import duty on lead Lore and bar lead The argument advanced by members of the committee is not only sound but quite ingenious They say the object of a change in the existing tariffs is with a view to decreasing decreas-ing the revenue As it now stands in no manner could less revenue be derivedfrom the importation of lead ores and pig I lead than under the present duty unless that duty were raised To lower it would be to increase the revenue from it because it is now oractically prohibited by an excessive tariff Unless the duty is entirely abolished no change in it could decrease the revenues and such a step it is logically held would not only paralyze the mining industry in this Territory hue would have the effect of working untold injury to the mining of lead III all parts of tIle United States It is one of those questions which makes local treetraders shake their heads as it comes immediately home to them and while they believe lieve the principle correct they are forced to admit that to carry it into effect under existing circumstances would so far as this Territoryin the heart of the mountains as it isis concerned it would work but one way and that would be injuriously It would stop all but a few of our mines and thus injure every branch of industry indus-try while it would bring none of those blessings that usually follow in the shape of reduced prices in other directions The indications are that the committee com-mittee which is composed of well known business men highly esteemed es-teemed and universally trusted gentlemen will receive the support sup-port of the whole community in the adoption of whatever course they I may deem wise and ward off the impending danger The committee meets on baturday evening expecting expect-ing then to draw up a memorial to Congress and it is probable one or two of the gentlemen will be delegated de-legated to accompany it and see that its remonstrance may be heeded in quarters where the effect will be greatest |