The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-04

Pils6urDh DtspateA
Honor Laughlin and.James II. Good
win. representing the East Liverpool
potters, went to Washington last even
ing to protest against the proposed
tariff reductions on their wares. They
will be Joined by committee from the
Trenton district. East Liverpool and
the New Jersey capital are the centers
Of the industry in the United States.
The potters ore thoroughly alive to
the damage that will be done their
business If the Wison,measure becomes
u law. In the Mckinley tariff act the
duty on decorated ware 10 60 per cent,
and on plain or moderated 50 per
cent.
Mills bill proposed a cut TO 45 and 40
per cent. That stirred up the putters,
ard they went at the lank Texan ham
mer and tongs. There was never any
danger Of the Mills bill passing, as tho
potters we're not bothered very much.
Now, however, they are worried and ex'
cited, for the Wilson bill may BIO adop-
ted. Tho manufacturers arc prepared
to die hard, and there Will be lively
fight before they succumb.
sTRoNG IN ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Laughlin was the spokesman, and
he said: mo, We are not going to APP
peal to Mr. Wilson or the Democrats.
We tried that once and were practically
shut out. Our object is to SEQ Republic
can leaders like Reed, Burroughs, Payne
and Dalzell TO furnish them with expert
data about our business to be used IL
their arguments against the tariff reduc-
tons. Manufacturers in other lines
will do the same thing.
"The Wilson bill is the work OF Dem
ocratic spite and revenge. The taria on
general pottery ware, taking, every
thing into consideration, has been re-
duced to so per cent. The packages
are admitted free, the classification has
been changed to our disadvantage and
the opportunities for fraud and under
valuations arc manifold. Now, these
are the facts, yet Mr.. Wilson is bolster
ing up his tariff schedule resorts to de-
liberate misrepresentation to deceive
the people. He says the tariff on pot
terry has been reduced to 10 and 40 per
cent, tits n clear case OF dupliCity, and
we want the truth told. 1t is work OF
revenge, because the potters have
gained foothold in tho United States.
The pottery schedule is cunHingly do
vised, and it Is the job OF au expert No
body but a man well posted could have
framed it. But that is easily explained.
HOW THEY FIXED UP THE Jon.
"a few days before the tariff bill was
announced, L. straus, of L. Straus &
Sons, New York importers, was closeted
with Wilson and his Democratic col
leagues. This firm owns pottery at
Rudolstadt, Germany, and the tariff
schedule was framed at Straus' dicta-
ton to suit him and help his foreign
factory. It is pretty state OF affairs
when American manufacturers are shut
out, and the government is run for the
benefit OF foreigners. Charles Ahren-
fedt, another New York importer, has Il
plant at Altrohlan, and Bano & Dotter
own factories in Limoges, Carlsbad and
Saskatchewan, Bohemia. The latter is
a glass works. These firms are the lead
ing importers in the country in our
business, and the tariff was made to as
sist them and their foreign factories.
"What is happening TO the pottery
industry in America? In 1892 the i'm
ports amounted to S4,5S9,224 in 1898,
with the year uncompleted, the imports
are S., 23l $40. These figures are given
at foreign valuations, and do not in
clude tho duties, ocean freight or the
cost OF packages. Increase has been
made, too, in spite OF the hard times.
In this country the industry has de-
clined as much as the foreign imports
have gained, and in the last six months
five concerns have failed. We are
scarcely able to compete with the pres
emit tariff. American potters pay l29
per cent more in wages than the for
eigners. II this tariff bill becomes u
law, there will be a mighty cnt in sala-
ries. Nothing else that know of in
the cost OF production can be reduced.
SIMPLY ANOTHER DRMocRATIo TRICK.
"What We want is strict mOinten-
ance of the old classification aud the
present tariff with the duty on pack
ages. Taking off the duty on packages
Is another subterfuge, and opens up tho
flood gates- to fraud. Pottery is sup
piled from England in crates, from the
Continent in casks. Under the new
regulation the package may be twice as
valuable as the contents, yet 1t bears no
duty. The English manufacturer, for
example, could have the crate made OF
fine Mercia steel, which is dutiable at q
high rate, but because it is package il
can be shipped free. This is only one
way in which the laws can DO circum-
vented. The Wilson bill describes I'M
decorated pottery as white granite,
common ware. Almost anything could
be run in under such schedule az that.
'fUnder the Mckinley bill the manu-
facturer was compelled to report the
valuation Of his imports to the Ameri-
can consul In his district, but the Will
son bill says no can see any consul in
the country. Here is another opportu'
nifty for fraud. As a. rule the pottery
sections abroad have been represented
by we'll posted Yankees, and our for
eign competitors couldnot deceive thom
A CHANCE FOR JoBDERY.
"Under the Wilson bill ii they find q
consul in their district who knows his
business and can't be hoodwinked, they
can hunt upanother who is not familiar
with the industry, and pull the wool
-. 1, Il o,,op IN THAR hcortai cnnthnt