The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-29
Producers Argue III Fay0r
of Higher Duties.
Statements About Chemical
and Liquor Schedules.
Much Interest Is Shown In the Hear
ings Now In Progress.

which the Ways and means committee
OF the house will give 10 the representa-
tlves OF the various industries inter
es.sd In the preparation Of the new
tariff bill. began In the room Of the COM
mittee at the Capitol yesterday. and
will continue daily until Jan. IL.
Much interest was manifested. and the
room was constantly thronged with
delegations and the representatives OF
various trades. Owing to the brief
time allotted for hearings and the de-
sire OF the committee as expressed by
Chairman Dingley to avoid unnecessary
repettions many of those who appeared
simply filed their briefs and made no
oral arguments.
Mr.. Dinsley expressed the opinion
that the presentation OF condensed
briefs would answer the purpose of the
committee better than argument, and
advised the fling OF such briefs where
possible. He announced that briefs
would be received until Jan. H. Only
seven of the IL members of the commit
tee were present yesterday. Messrs.
Dingley of Maine. Payne Of New York.
Evans of Kentucky, Dalzell of Pennsyl-
vania and Johnson OF North Dakota.
Republicans. and Messrs. McMillin Of
Tennessee and Wheeler Of Alabama,
Democrats.
The schedules upon which hearings
were accorded yesterday were those
relating to chemicals and spirits and
wines There were no particular incl
dents yesterday.
without exception all who appeared
asked for an increase of the duties on the
particular industry in which they were
interested. Almost all those who ap-
ptared in behalf of changes in the
chemical schedule urged a change from
ad valorem TO specific duties. Those
who made oral arguments on the chemi-
cal schedule were Thomas F. Harrison
of Philadelphia, H. Krebbs OF San Fran
cisco. James Mcguire OF New York, w.
Fl. III. Childs OF New York, j. Il. Schoelt-
kopf OF Buffalo. j. S. Page OF New York,
II. c. Stewart OF Philadelphia, James
Hartford of New York. Samuel Merz Of
Newark, n. j.; w. w. Skiddy of New
York. j. a. Rein of New York, II. A.
Overburg OF New York. DIR. Schaeffer OF
New Haven, Thomas NJ. Cuthbert Of
New York, O. III. Jones OF Philadelphia,
and Alonzo L. Thompson of Baltimore.
The following appeared TO urge
changes In the schedule relating To
[ Wines, liquors and other beverages:
John b. Thompson OF Harrodsrurg. KY;
Edward l.. Snyder OF New York and
Frederick c. jacob of San Francisco.
In the afternoon session the iirst
speaker was ]. A. Bean OF New York.
representative of the lnseed oil manu-
facturers The business for which he
appeared. he said. would be satisfied
with a continuance OF the present rates
On th. all a
cents bushci on seed.
n. a. Overbury OF New York. a manu-
focturcr of chloride Of potash. appeared
TO ask for duty of 5 cents pound on
his product, which is now en- the free
list His argument for a duty was
based on the difference in wages paid
here ard abroad. A duty Of cents. he
said, would furnish considerable revenue
and enable his mandatory, which has
been shut down for some time, to re-
.ime.
Dr. Schceffer Of New Haven, a manu-
facturer of caffeine, who said he was the
fret to manufacture the product, and
had been producing II about one year.
asked an increase of the duty, which is
now % per celt. he asked for a specific
duty Of s. POUND.
Tncmas NJ Cuthbert Of New York.
representing the New York quinine and
chemical works. appeared to ask a re-
storati Of the duty OF 20 per cent ad
valorem. which existed prior to the act
of 1890. or it's equivalent specific duty.
Quinine is now on the free list. He said
the effect OF the tariff reduction had been
most disastrous TO the American manu-
factu.erS, Grd unless something were
coon done he would have to go out OF
business.
A. L. Thompson OF Baltimore appeared
in behalf Of restoration OF the duty
on salsoda and soda ash from Il TO "a OF
a cent a pound.
Schedule II, spirits, wines and other
beverages. was then taken UP. John u.
Thompson, Jr.. OF Harrodsburg. Ky.
representing the manufacturers OF
liquors and spirits generally. was tho
first 10 appear. lie asked that the duty
OH liquors. now s1S0 gallon. be restored
to $3.50. tho rate under the act of 1890.
The present law, he said, reduced the
tax on domestic goods to 20 cents and
on imported 20 cents gallon. He also
argued that there should be some re-
ciprocal arrangement between Canada
and the United States.
Edward L. Snyder of New York. rep
TeSentinB tne NatlOnal w NOTES.-THE Liquor
Dealers association. urged first that the
same outrage" should be allowed on
domestic as Is allowed on imported
liquors. second, such an adjustment OF
duties on foreign liquors as will yield
the largest revenue. but not give i'm
porters undue advantages third. no in
crease OF the duties on foreign wines,
and fourth. a penal statute to punish the
counterfeiters Of foreign wine and
liquor brands.
Frederick Jacobi of San Francisco
read a statement In behalf OF the native
wine growers of the Pacific coast, ask
ing the restoration OF the Mckinley rates
of so cents a gallon on all dry wines In
place OF the present rate OF 30 cents. and
of $3.50 q gallon on spirits. This fin
ished the days hearings.