Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-28
THE TARIFF HEARINGS.
More Pittsburgers Appear Before the
Ways aud Means Committee.

More Pittsburgers Appear Before the
Ways aud Means Committee.
WASHINGTON, December 27.-The
Ways and Means Committee, st to-day'e
meeting, listened to statement by G. S
Landers, Of New Britain, Conn, on the sub
ject Of table cutlery.
He was satisfied with the provisions Of
the Senate bill, except in regard to one
feature of the classification. The average
duty on table Gallery imposed by the bill
was y per cent, and the change in classi-
fication would increase the average TO So
cents. The cutlery manufacturers would
have to be protected or they would have
to die.
Hon. ]. Logan Ohipmsn, Of Michigan,
read telegrsms from various stove firms IN
Michigan, protesting against mica being
removed from the free list.
Chrrles Brice, representing the Gold
Dealers Association, argued in favor OF sn
increased duty on gold leaf and bronze
powder.
The anvil, the oldest implement known
to mankind, as it was characterized by Mr..
Clark Fisher, of Trenton, n. j., was the
next subject of discussion, and that gentle
man presented the reasons why the duty
should be increased. OF the anyils used in
the United States, about tWo-thirds were
imported. He advocated an imposition Of
a duty of 2 $40 cents pound upon an
wills, and he believed that If that was done
they would he sold cheaper to the con-
sumer, rs it would enable the msnuiac-
turers to increase their output Forty
years ago, when he first went into busi-
ness, there were % anvil firms in the conn
try. Now they had become extinct with
three exceptions. To lower the duty
would have the effect Of wipiDg out these
three establishments.
Mr.. VIM. O. Oronmeyer, of Pittsbnrg
described the unsuccessful efforts OF
American manufacturers to produces tin.
plates at a profit. In 1872 the firm with
which he was connected had started 10
manufacture TIN plates, and for three
years had been unsuccessful. At that
time the pricl Of ordinary tin plate was Sl2
a ton, but il had fallen 10 81, and his firm
bad been obliged, in 1856, to 20 out OF that
line of business. The price had sgain gone
up, eince the competition had been with
drawn.
In response to queries by Mr.. Burrows,
Mr.. Cronemeyer said that to manufacture
box of tin plate in this country cost
about s. so, while in England it cOald be
produced at 81 25 less, the difference being
attributable to the difference in the cost OF
labor. The present duty was not pro-
tective one, bat that proposed by the Sen
ate bill, while not as high as 1t ought TO
be. had the merit of being protective. II
the tin plate Industry could be built up in
this country, it would support number
OF people nearly equal to the population OF
New York City. In conclusion Mr.. Orone'
never read an extract from the lrOnnlOnger
published at London, warning the Welsh
tin plate manufacturers Of ths effort being
made in America to increase the duty on
that article.
William Metcalf, of Pittsburg, interest
cd in the production of crucible steel, I'M
pressed upon the committee the fact that
since a tariff had been on steel and iron
the cost to the consumer on articles manu-
fsctured of these materials had been re-
duced. He stated that he sold steel to Mr..
Fisher. to De used in the manufacture OF
anvils, snd that within 21 years the price
of this steel had fallen from 80 to 90 per
cent
Mr.. George T. Oliver, of Pittsburg, ad-
dressed the committee in behalf Of the
wire-rod industry, including wire rods
wire nails and barb wire for fencing pur-
poses. he described the growth Of the
business, and asked that no reduction bs
made in the duty on these articles, as the
supply was able TO meet the demand, sod
stated that if the tariff was reduced, the
price TO the consumer would have to he
advanced, and that if the provisions pro-
posed bv the Senate tariff bill of last ses-
sion be carried out, that they would be
we'll satisfied.
After short recess F. J. Slade, OF Tren-
ton. n. J., addressed the committee on the
subject of structural iron. The price for
iron beams to-day was 3 lilo cents pound.
When he went into the business, twenty
wears ago, the price was about double that.
In response to q question by Mr.. Flower,
Mr.. Slsde stated that there was combln'
alton among the producers Of structural
iron. but he denied that the profits OF the
business were too large. They did not
average more than s per cent. Unrestriet-
ed competition would lead to bankruptcy,
was advantageous to trade,
and it was the duty Of persons engaged IN
business to look after their own business.
The manufacturers Of beams simply said
to one another: LET us charge fair
price for our own gcOds.p That was all
the combination there was. No effort bad
bsen made to crush out the firms that did
no. belong to the combination, and there
was no understanding that the production
should be limited.
General ImbOden, Of Virginia, speaking
for his section Of the country, favored the