Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-17
Pittsburg Failors Preparing for an
Organized Attack on a Section
of the Mckinley Bill
THAT GIVES sMUGGLERs A CHANCE
To Furnish Americans With ST. 200 Worth
Of Foreign Clothes, Made to
Measure, for $500.
THEY THINK IT is DISCRIMINATION,
And Would Much Prefer to Fave the Duty on WOOlen
Goods Reduced.


The merchant tailors of the country are up
in arms against the Mckinley tariff bill, and
the Pittsburg knights of the shears will
meet tnis evening to protest against its pass
age. It is probable that committee from
this city will go to Washington to lobby
against the bill and cooperate with tailors
from other cities to have it amended. The
Pittsburg men claim thousands of American
dollars with big eagles on them go to En-
gland every year, with the eagles Tapping
their wings and screaming at the large
amount of ready-made clothing sent into this
country. If the business was stopped the
tailors would get some Of the money now
sent to England. 1t may not be English,
you know" but the American tailors will
be satisfied.
"A meeting of the Pittsburg Merchant
Tailors' Exchange will be held in the office
of John Bradley & Company, No. "a Fifth
avenue, at 6 o'clock this evening for the
purpose of taking measures to defeat the
passage of that section Of the Mckinley bill
referring to clothing.
A DIFFERENCE DISCOVERED.
The tariff on woolen goods has been ad-
vanced 2S per cent, while the same stuff
made up into suits Of clothes can come into
this country free under the provisions of the
new bill. At present only clothing that is
necessary for the person who owns it is ad-
mitted free OF duty. Under the new bill
every passenger coming across the water can
bring $500 worth Of ready-made clothing
with him, and not pay q cent Of duty on 1t.
1t has been estimated by the Pittsburg tail
ors that $500 will buy as much clothing in
London as s., 200 will in Pntsburg or New
York. They say they have seen English
suits in this city for which the purchaser
paid $50, that they could not afford to make
for less than S45.
The American tailors have unearthed
nice little scheme the English tailors had in
view. by which the former might as we'll
omit singing the song Of the pants and go
out Of the business. Some OF the London
tailors now have men travelling about this
country taking measures and selling clothes
made across the water. A few weeks ago
an agent of big London firm was in town
soliciting business. He went among the
people who purchased good clothing and
wanted an English cut, and had no trouble
securing orders. He took the measures and
sent them by letter to his firm.
ONE THING OVERLOOKED.
A perfect fit was guaranteed in each case,
but it is possible the customers will have to
take the clothes to an American tailor 10 be
altered This is known to have been the
case in New York and Boston, where people
were carried away by the idea OF having
clothes made in London. They lost sight OF
the fact that there might be some trouble
about the fit but found It out after the clothes
had been paid for.
In urgent cases the agents telegraphed the
measurement to London, and the clothes were
sent over along with dozens of other suits.
The scheme was TO have men travel regularly
across the ocean and give each $500 worth of
clothing to take with him. Upon arriving at
New York, and after passing the customs in
spectors, who could not detain the men, the
latter were to be met by the agent and ths
clothes turned over to him. He would send
them to the different cities, where the solicit
tors had found customers. 1t is estimated that
the total expense connected with the shipment
of a suit to this city would not exceed $40 1t
will be readily seen how the business would in
jure the trade of Americans. In speaking of
this Mr.. Martin Schroeder, Secretary of the
Pittspurg Exchange, said yesterday:
WILL SURELY FIGHT IT.
1--WE will certainly do everything in our power
to prevent the passage of the Mckinley bill in
its present shape If it goes through as it
stands now the New York and Boston tailors
may as well quit making clothes and become
agents for the English houses. OF course, if
the bill becomes law, the New York, Boston.
Philadelphia and Chicago men will feel it more
than the Pittsburg merchants. Only the very
best tailors here who have fine class of trade
rnfIld he 0ffa
remedy the bill before one man is hurt. Under
the Mckinley measure an agent might get or
ders in this country for from $4,000 to $40, 900
worth of clothes and have them shipped with
out paying l cent of duty. The passengers on
America bound vessels could be used as agents
to carry the clothes over here, and each one
son can see the immense profits for the English
tailor and the disaster awaiting the Americans
II the bill passes.
Another thing about the duty is wrong.
The tariff on woolens has been advanced Is per
cent but if the cloth is made into suits there is
no duty whatever. 1t would suit the American
tailors better if there was less tariff the
cloth and some on the made-up garments. The
fight will be made on the clause allowing each
steamer passenger $500 worth of clothes This
amount of money spent in England would keep
some people in clothes for years. We have
figured it out, and find that $500 will buy as
much In England as ST. 200 would in this coun-
try"
THINK IT'S INJUSTICE.
Mr.. Edward Schauer, OF Schauer q Busch,
said: 1--WE had one meeting last week, and will
have another tomorrow evening. We think
the bill is an injustice to the merchant tailors
of this country. and will do everything we can
to prevent the passage of that section. We
will cooperate with the tailors of other cities,
and may SEND o committee down to Washing
ton. We will stop the smuggling Of clothing
now gong on or know the reason why. The
American tailors have lost thousands Of dollars
every year on this account, and It is pretty
nearly time they stepped in and took action
aguinst 1t. do not suppose Major Mckinley
saw the injury he was hoing us, and have no
idea but he will remedy the defect II he does
t1nt will hnht rha mn %