New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-03
THE TARIFF COMMISSION.
THE BUSINESS OF BICYCLE MAKING.

THE BUSINESS OF BICYCLE MAKING.
A. POPE. OF BOSTON, COMPLAINS OF INJURY
DONE BY THE TARIFF AS AT PRESENT CONSTR
TUTED.
LONG BRANCH, n. j., Aug. 2.-Albert A. Pope,
of Boston, president of the Pope Columbia Bicycle CON-
pany made statement to-day before the Tariff Commits
sion as TO the discrimination made against his business
nv the existing tariff Its operations were in many
spects he said unjust and nexpedent for this country
Instead Of protecting American industry in bicycles
and tricycles, IL repressed and defeated 1t. Not
withdrawing the discrimination against it, this industry
had already reached respectable proportions here.
The prospects for the increase OF the trade were i'm
mense Who should supply that demand2 With the
prevent tariff rates England would, but with no tariff
with Just and expedent the United States would
American bicycle manufacturers had TO pay 40 per cent
ad yalorem Oh STEEL which the principal part OF the
bicyce American labor cost from so TO 100 per cent
higher than English labor cost. and about onehird Of
the cost Of bicycles and ricyces wasin labor The duty
on imported bicycles and tricyclcs pleely manufac
ured in ngand only 80 cent, so that here
discrimination Of 10 cent in favor of the foreign
maker In competing for foreign trade the greater cost
OF American labor Offset by the better machinery
and methods in this country, but the American who
competed with the Englishman at Brazil for instance
would be at a disadvantage of As per cent on
every particle OF the material, This special man
nfacture, if fostered in this country, would bring
q large home consumption OF steel In special
FORMS and would be OF great dement,. On every hand
the operaon OF the present tariff this industry
mpoitie and hostile Instead OF half million, there
should be five millions invested in the business here and
instead OF having home trade of half million dollars
there should be ten times much and instead of hav
ing foreign trade OF So O00 there ought TO be foreign
trade to the amount of several millions. And there
voud he but for the tariff II tariff TO be kept up
the rate on raw half-wOrked materials should be
less than on the manufactured article
Mr. POrtcr-Did understand you TO say that the Eng
lish manufacturer can produce bicycles 40 per cent
cheaper than the American manufactures can
Mr. Pope-No; but said that he had his materials 40
Mr.. Porter-How could you sell yonr machines in
Brazil -, ~, l.. - -
teria as cheap. Although labor costs more that
is offset by our improved machinery.
Mr. Ohver-If there were higher rate imposed upon
the forei IN bicycle would that help you
Mr. Pope-NOt for the foreign business We do not
COMPLAIN of the home trade, but we want tie export
business .
raw state and finish 1t here I
Mr. Pope-Because machinery is not adapted to
that. We cannot draw wire. The plant for drawing
wire would cost al least million dollars.
MT. McAIahon asked him whether he could not get a
drawback duty imposed on the foreign material
and his reply was first that he not aware of that
law and, second, thatlt would be very dnct To take
advantage OF IT, =, 49,. a., 49,
from John Baird Sons, of Philadelphia importers and
dealers Italian marble, rags aud general merchandise
complaining OF dierentia duties marble statuary be
tween that executed by Americans abroad and that ex
ecuted by fore gners, and recommending uniform rate
on all statuary ALSO from A KDpsten OF Philadelphia,
import and export commission merchant, recommend
ing that all dyestuffs and chemicals used In calico
printing, making paper, soap or glass,
or in bleaching and other INDUSTRIES be put on the
free list also from j. L. SchOelkopf Jr., of Buffalo,
~ " on the subject Of anine dyes and In favor OF
specific duty thereon.
sion to make personal inspection OF the p0tcres OF
that place. The invitation is held under advisement.