New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-09

EXPERTS BEFORE THE WAYS AND MEANS
COMMITTEE
HEARINGS on SWEDISH BIILEr>, HOPS, LEAF
TOBACCO. CrRLED HAIR AND OTHER AE1l-
CLFS or IMPORT AND M>NrFACTrRE.
fry TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.

BY TELEGRAPH TO The Ikibt NJ
Washington sept. S.-The tariff hearings before
the WAYS and Means Committee contnir to IN
crease in interest and importance and it seems
almost certain that ii will be found necessary TO
extend the time allotted To- them beyond IN" date
originally set September -. The spacious com
nttee room filled with congressman ana
others this afternoon who listened attentvely and
exhibited deep interest in the arguments ana iacts
submitted by the representatives, Of several manu-
featuring industries, as well AZ by men who are
engaged in the business Of importing foreign goods
Nessrs. Gilbert and cockey appeared IN hehaIt OF
a new industry which established at SHELBY
Ohio two years ago. the manufacture OF tubes
from Swedish bilets and blooms. These tubes are
chief used in the manufacture of bicycles. The
output OF the single concern engaged In the IN
dustry last year was about 10000 feet. and the
| total consumption Of tubes by domestic manu-
| facturers Of bicycles was probably 5000" ieet.
The hollow billets and blooms are the raw mater
ials' of the tube manufacturers, and for that
reason they desire to have the duty, which IL 10
cents a pound reduced
At the time Of the enactment Of the Tariff law OF
1890 these bllets were not commercially known III
| this country. none having been imported prior 10
1891 They are graded steel, and possess peculiar
| properties which it has thus far been found I'm
possible to mpart to billets produced in any other
country than Sweden from any other ore than
Swedish. although numerous experiments have been
| tried and expensive attempts made 10 do 80 in
! France and England. as well as in the nited
| States The manufacturers of bicycle tubing are
therefore wholly dependent upon Sweden for their
J supply of hollow billets. Chairman Wilson asked
| if the repeal Of the duty on Swedish and othe?
iron ores would not enable American manufacturers
| 10 produce the bllets Mr.. Gilbert gave II as his
| opinion. based upon extensive inquiries and per-
/ sonal observation. that IL would not because IN
vestgation tended show that the peculiar proper
ties the Swedish product largely depend upon the
fuel used for charcoal and the processes OF manu-
| fscture. No Swedish ores were imported into this
| country In 1892 but the impOrtatons of pig iron
| from Sweden in that year amounted to about 800
! tons besides which considerable quantity was
imported through Europeans other than Swedes.
Wages in this country are about double the wages
paid in the same industry In England. In regard
TO prices Mr.. Gilbert said that they are somewhat
| lower the American consumer than before the
| industry was established in this country.
John r., Stevens. Of Ludlow Mas :, appeared as
! the representative of the New England manu-
facturers Of lutte yarns Irvine and baggins for cot
! ton His concern employs about LOO operative
and is not member OF any trust" combinat ton.
| lie thought that the domestic manufacturers could
stand a reduction OF the duty bagging worth
30 cents or less square yard from 1G cent 10
cent 4 square yarl. but greater reduction
would he destructive to the industry. Mr. Stevens
said that from personal observation, and from In
formation obtained from men employed by him who
| formerly worked IN England and Scotland he had
found that the wages paid in those countries are
about 30 per cent much in this country. and
! i'm ireland. where good deal Of baggrg is now
made the proportion If stili smaller. The chief
| competitor in baecng. however Is Calcutta. India
! where nearly nominal wages are paid Calcutta
, had driven Dundee out OF the markets OF China.
Japan and Australia. and IS trying 10 capture
the markets of the United States Italy is entering
the market competitor for the trade in yarns
and Irvine, and in that country wages much
lower than in the United States Kingdom
The official figures support Nh. Stevens's state