New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-05
ASKING FOR PROTECTION.
FLAX, HEMP AND JUTE MEN BEFORE THE
HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE.
SUBSTANTIAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE SPEAK.
ERS THAT NO PART OF THE PRESENT
TARIFF on THESE SCHEDULES CAN
IBY TELEGRAPH TO The IkIBUNKy

TBY TELEGRAPH TO The TkBUNkI
Washington Jan. 1.-The fax, hemp and lute
schedules of the tariff occupied the greater part OF
the hearing today before the Ways and Means Com
mittCe As in the Of the wOollen interest, some
differences of opinion developed between the
manufacturers and the growers. but on most points
there substantial agreement that no part Oh
the present taiif cOuld be abandoned with safety
The manufacturers of linen Joined in asking Tor some
what higher duties on the coarser grades OIL eoooS
arguing that better protection would enaoic them
TO engage largely in the manufacture of the coarSer
fabrics. thus giving the home producer OF max
market for fibre which he has now 10 throw away
as waste A representative Of two New Engand hrmS
came out openly for free fax; but the spokesman
of the Flax and Hemp Spinners ana Growers As
ISOLATION who followed the advocate OF free material
said that all the other manufacturers in the country
favored a tax on foreign fax, and were sincerely
anxious for the building up Of the domestic fax IN
dustry.
The two New England houses J. r. Lesson CO..
of Boston and Finlayson, Ronsfcld Co., OF "ra1'oh
Mass. which applied for free raw material "cie
simply branches of scottish firm. II was sTt'eu' All"
asked for the abolition of the duty for the behe,
the home factory where the bulk of the work on 'ei
goods done.
The Spinners and Growers Association wants d
specific duty of 3 cents pound and 90 per cent au
valorem on the coarser grades Of linen, and % per
cent advalorcm on threads, yarns ana WINES l"o
present rates are 80 ana Nv Pc
adyalorcm If these changes are made, the asSoo'd
ton would be willing to have proportional
Increase in the duty on raw flax; but would nave
the hemp manila and other schedules as they arc now
Young Kentucky hemp grower, Leslie Combs maze
vigorous attack on the suggestion oil the aS'ocd'o
SAYING that the fax people were calmly ignoring ,e
hemp producers, and directing all the Dehch' vi 'o
changes in the tariff TO themselves The SpinncrN
wanted 30 40 and 80 per cent advaorcm on lutc
Init onlv y cheap
was fast taking the place of hemp in the making OF
fabrics and was crowdinG hemp ont of the market.
lie himself preferred duty of cents pound on
iute and had come TO Washington 10 ask for that
Now however, he would be glad 10 get his hat back
from the congregation and would only urge the re
tention of the present duties lie agreed with the
representatives Of the association that, with Just
protection, a great increase could be made in the
production in this country, especially in tile Western
states of all grades Of fax and hemp.
Edmund \. Whitman. OF Boston, the first witness.
spoke in favor of the removal of the duty fax The
present rates he said had been in force nineteen
years. yet the product Of FAX in this country had
steadily decreased II was practically existent
industry its culture required too much duols man
labor and technical skill The product had fallen Oh
from 81 900 600 pounds in 1oGO to 100000 pounds
in 1870. and today it insignificant that no one
could tell what it The duty was, therefore, a
burden the linen manufacturer without being com
pensating TO the farmer. The importation Of linen
goods had increased four fold since the duty placed
On fax, the amount in value in 15s7 being S16,
100000. Much Of this linen might be made in this
country but for the duty fax lie argued, there
fore that "a duties should he removed from al grades
of fax, dressed and undrcssed
In reply to questions by Mr. Carlisle tho witness
said that the only flax goods made in this country
were twines and the coarsest kind Of towels; that
about 100000 Of capital was invested in the
business here that it had practically no competition
from abroad and that fine linens were not made here
There reason therefore why the duty on FAX
should not be removed.
The Charman-n you had free fax. would you
want any protection for the goods that you manu-
facturel
The witness-I do not think would ask any duty
on product.
The Chairman-You would not advise any reduction
Of the present duties
The witnesS-No. think not
The next statement made by Mr.. Anderson.
Of Maine. a manufacturer Of fancy cassimereS broad
cloth etc lie argued in favor OF a restoration OF
the duties such goods 10 about where they stood
prior TO the change made the tarin law Of 1883,
and in opposition 10 the removal Of the duties on
wool In reply TO questions by Mr. Carlisle, the wit
ness said that he did want the rates which were
increased by the tariff Of 1873 reduced to what they
had been, but he wanted the rates which had been
reduced put up TO what they had been.
petition from max hacAlers OF Paterson, y. j.. N
favor of the duties on faH, was presented by the
chairman: and one from Philadelphia. signed by a
large number Of persons asking for free raw materials
was presented by Mr.. Carlisle. The next stttcmcGt
was made by j. K. Turner. ir, Of Boston, president
OF the Flax and Hemp spinncrs' Association. He
complained that his business had not the same
degree of protection other industries had, and that
consequently, on many lines of goods competition
with foreign countries could not lie kept up lie
argued In favor of an Increase Of duties grades
of linen goods that there might be home pr9duc-
ltrrfa rlaf nd az fIe
present duty OF - ton on fax straw ana go ton
on dressed haX. lie asked for duty Of 3 cents a
pound on all linen COaIscr than 1000 with al ad-
dtona rate Of 80 peer cent cent s oIe instead OF the
Mr. Combs, OF Kentucky, made an argument IN
favor of the duty on hemp and against the proP1S,!-
He would Ike the duties jute, sisal aud manila
raised i cent a pound but he would be content If
the present dutc, them were retained. In reply
TO questions by Mr.. Carlisle, the witness stated that
the hemp production of this country had increased
from ? 900 tons in 1859, until 1t was now about
l2 600 tons. 1t had been at one time $1,000 tons,
hut its use had been largely diminished by the sub.
of IRON hoop for cotton baggne. He estimated the
production Of hemp at 900 pound /, the acre
the entire cost OF II al @3i 60 ana the market price
at $40 that the profit per- acre Is only t io
result would be obtained by the farmer IN cuuvathg
corn tobacco.
William Blight, Of Newark, y. j., representing FAX
Tnigbts Of Laic asked that The duty on dressed
fax be increased from $40 to 100 ton In support
of this demand, he said the industry In IN, country
&c Iancuishing because Of insufficient protection. Ihc
cost NJ dressing ton OF flax IN tins country i TG4
yIiIc in Europe * IS only $35. He added that il
ranuired great Sill dress fax, and presented 10
Committee specimens OF rough and dressed product
In answer 10 Mr.. breckenridge the witness said he
asked the additional duty upon the difference IN wages
alone -. A.. .... 49,. l.. s.o -
the difference in cost Of labor Is only go.
Wines explained that 1t required 300 pounds OF
rouoh Nax 10 make "A ton Of dressed product He
was asked 10 prepare in detail the figures and pro
COS hy v hich he dXcd upon 800 ton the
sarv amount of duty, and have them incorporated IN
hi; remarks. Mr.. Bright was accompanied by several
other fax dressers.
Abram Pcntcy. Of Bentley & Gcrwlg Irvine spin
,ers az Brighton PenI asked that present duties he
retained on tute sisal and manila.
Mr. Bentley said that in his opinion the home de
rnand for binder twine could be wholly met by Amer
lean hemp There 1000 tons used last year.
and that made the price Of all binder Irvine much
cheaper farmers than If had been Manufactured
here. witness said that flax could be produced fit
Or hacy a from 3 10 cents pound.