The San Francisco call., 1896-01-23
A MENACE To
OUR INDUSTRIES,
Startling Inroads Are Made
by the Dealers of
Japan.
FLOODING THE MARTS.
Americans Undersold Because Of
the Cheaper Labor in
the Empire.
MANUFACTURERS TAKE ACTION
Both Branches of Congress Will Be
Asked to Institute an
Inquiry.
MANUFACTURERS TAKE ACTION

-
Association of American Manufacturers
to-day decided to ask both branches of
Congress to institute an immediate in
vestigation into the largely increasing i'm
ports of articles of Oriental manufacture
which are gravely menacing the industries
OF this country.
An important report bearing upon the
subject was received and adopted. 1t said:
Japan does not contine herself to spin
ming cotton. Her people are introducing
a great variety of manufacturing indus
tries, all using improved machinery, and
they are Initiating the patterns and inven-
tions of the Western nations with i'm
punity, because there is no protection for
either the patents or trademarks of for
eigners in Japan.
Articles OF Japanese manufacture have
appeared in our Eastern cities, rivaling
and underselling American articles suit
able for similar purposes. japanese mat
ting is now crowding out cheaper kinds of
Philadelphia carpets. Japanese rugs,
made in imitation of American patterns
are sold in great quantities in preference
to American rugs of higher value. Brushes
are sold at retail in Eastern cities for
about the American value of the manu-
factured bristIes. American watchcase
makers are selling to Japan cases for ex-
cellent movements made there for this
market.
'There can be no concealment of the
fact that some of our manufacturing IN
dustries are grayely menaced by this
rivalry of country where skilled labor
may be had at cost of 10 or Is cents day,
or less than one-tenth of the cost of such
labor in our own country. Your commit
tee does not care to discuss the causes of
this menace or the methods by which the
peril may be averted. We believe that the
National Association should, however,
take cogniZance of the matter and should
ask that Congress shall investigate the
subject in thorough and comprehensive
manner, SO that the people may fully
understand it"
From the committee on resolutions
came a partial report recommending a
iudicious system of subsidies for the de-
velopment of the American merchant
marine; favoring the construction ana
operation of the Nicaragua canal by the
Federal Government and the development
of interior waterways; urging the enact
ment of National bankruptcy law for
uniform operation in all the States.
This portion of the report was adopted
unanimously. There was a spirited dis
cussion. however, on a resolution re-
ported without recommendation, setting
forth that 'inasmuch as many of
the States of the Union have passed GER
tain laws to the effect that all foreign cor
porations shall file with the Secretary of
State certificate of incorporation and
pay into the treasury of said States certain
fees, and imposing certain Objectionable
features, therefore the executive committee
shall be empowered to take such action,
as in their judgment might seem wise, to
secure uniformity and remove the objec-
tionable features"
The resolution was sent back to the
committee to be remodeled.
There was long debate upon majority
and minority reports from the commi ttee
on revision of the constitution. The ma
iority report presented by +. S. Fish of
Indiana favored depriving manufacturers
clubs or State clubs of representation, thus
allowing only the Individual manufac-
turers, firms or corporations to have a
voice or vote in the organization. 1t was
contended by the majority of the commit
cess of the organization, while continu-
ance of the present method of member
ship would make the organization simply
"howling society"
The minority report, presented by
Thomas McDougall of Cincinnati, favored
continuation of the present system of
club and society representation with few
unimportant notifications. The conven-
ton, however, agreed with Mr.. Fish and
the minority report was then submitted to
| a vote.
This afternoon Professor S. Waterhouse
of Washington University, st, Louis, de-
livered an address upon the Nicaragua
canal. This evening the delegates of the
| Manufacturer Club of Cincinnati gave a
dinner at the Auditorium to President
Thomas Dolan, Hon. Warner Miller, Peter
Studebaker of South Bend, Ind. and few
other of the leading spirits OF the organiza-
ton.
The delegates to the convention of textile
manufacturers held no business sessions
to-day.