The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-15
OTHER INFANTS CRYING.
THEY NEED THE TARIFF IN THEIR
BUSINESS.

Arguments Yesterday Before the
Ways and Means Committee-Duty
Wanted for Mica-Want the sched-
ules on Silk Ribbons and Hat Trim
rnin4s Amended.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 14.-When the WAYS
and means committee met this morning.
although it was supposed that every in
5ustry interested in the tariff had been
oeard, half dozen gentlemen were waiting
70 present a few additional facts, and the
committee resolved to devote one more ses-
ZION to hearing them.
Two New York importers and manu-
Facturers Of leather wanted the present
duties on their merchandise retained. A
sulphuric acid maker wanted iron pyrites
placed on the free list.
WANT A HIGHER DUTY ON GLASS.
James Campbell of Pittsburg, represent
ing window glass manufacturers asked for
The restoration of the tariff of 1888. Alex
Hammett Of Pittsburg seconded the re-
luest, and also asked that the duty be
charged upon the weight of the glass and
not upon the box. The additional duty
asked for amounted to Is per cent pound on
10 per cent. ad valorem.
jaime M. Gore Of Syracuse, N. Y, ap-
peared by request Of some North Carolinians
In behalf of the producers of stone mica.
He spoke of the extent of the industry in
North Carolina in the past, and quoted
figures to show how it had decreased in i'm
portance in the last few years owing to the
competition of India. He asked for a specific
duty, a moderate duty of 80 cents pound
On all mica and mica waste.
ONLY $1,000 TON.
Mr. McMullen said that witness asked for
duty Of 81 900 per ton, and he sought to
find out what witness paid for it, but could
not get a specific answer, witness saying
that the quality of mica varied so much
that there was no average price.
SILK HAT TRIMMINGS.
Britton Richardson, a silk manufacturer
of New Jersey, wanted the committee to
take action that would result in a duty of
so per cent. instead of 90 per cent. being
imposed on silk hat trimmings. He COM
planned of recent decision of the supreme
court declaring silk ribbons used ex-
cusively for hat trimmings to be
dutiable ct 20 per cent. He was satisfied
it was the intention to make the duty 80
per cent on all kinds of silk in the tariff
act Of 1888, and he now wanted the word
ing so explicit that there could be no Ques-
ton as to the duty. The condition of the
silk industry in this country was perilous
In the extreme.
SILK RIBBONS.
John Greggs of New Jersey explained
that the trouble came from the omission of
the word ribbons" in the silk schedule, and
The word "vegetablen in the hat trimming
schedule. AS to the effect of the courts de-
clslon, he said: 1.-The annual product of silk
manufacturers of this country is $60, 000,-
900. About one-third of this product is
silk ribbons. Many large concerns are de-
voted exclusively to the silk ribbon manu-
facture. Their stocks are now ready for
the spring trade. They have been manu-
featured at high rates for raw silk, and at
the present rate of wages the percent
age of profit Is too small to stand
the difference in duty. Under this decision
Of the court the country Will be flooded
with silk ribbons, and the American prod
uct will have to be forced upon the market
at prices that will entail great loss. The
silk trade regards this decision as the most
serious assault ever sustained by it. The
silk men ask that this misconstruction of
law be remedied. They are now threatened
with disaster and ruin"
William Strange, silk manufacturer of
Paterson, N. j., supported the statements
Of the previous witnesses.
Chairman Mckinley said that he would
call the attention Of the committee to the
matter, and if its consent was secured
would take this proposition Immediately as
separate question from the tariff bill, and
endeavor to have a bill reported to the
House at once.