The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-31
TARIFF HEARINGS CONTINUE.
ARGUMENTS BEFORE THE WAYS
AND MEANS COMMITTEE
YESTERDAY.
SILK AND COTTON MANUFACTURERS
Were the Subjects Considered-Missis
sippi Valley Cotton Growers Want
Duty on Egyptian Cotton.
Ad NalOrem Duties Debated.

All Nal0rem Duties Debated.
Washington, Dec. 29.-The ways and
means committee devoted the day to
listening to the reports of delegates in
terested in the schedules relating to cot
ton manufactures and silk and silk goods.
The attendance was not so large as yes
terday, and the number who appeared to
make oral arguments was much smaller.
The committee is encouraging the filing
of briefs where possible.
The feature of the Cay was n brief
oral argument made by f. c. Hovey of
New York, representing the Textile
Manufacturers association. in favor of
more stringent regulations to prevent
revenue. Mr.. Hovey has quasi
connection with the New York board of
general appraisers.
The others who appeared before the
committee today were Arnold b. San
ford of Fall River, in behalf of specific
instead of ad valorem duties on cotton
yarns; Simon b. Chase in behalf of some
amendments relating to cotton cloths;
Robert Billings of Philadelphia for "A
change of specific duties on cotton hosiery
and Il slightly higher rate; Robert NJ.
Cooper of Olneyville, Il. l., who asked
for 40 cents Il dozen and 80 per cent ad
vaorem on cotton hosiery James Tai
colt of New Britain, Conn, and w. ii.
Mityeu of Philadelphia, for higher rates
on hosiery and w. r. Craig of Vicks.
burg, Miss, for duty on Egyptian
cotton.
DETAILS OF THE HEARINGS.
Washington, Dec. 29.-Silk and cotton
manufactures were the subjects of the
hearings before the ways and means
committee today. Arnold Sanford OF
Fall River represented the Cotton Yarn
Spinners Association of the United
| States. of about 100000 spindles. He
said that the main trouble with the pres
ent law was that the duties levied were
practically ad valorem and permitted OF
schedule would be satisfactory if the
two provisions were stricken out which
limited the duty on yarns not exceeding
% cents per pound to cents: exceeding
% cents and not exceeding 40 cents. /.
cents; exceeding 40 cents, 40 per cent ad
valorem. Mr.. Sanford produced stats
tics showing that in 1893 the importa
tions of yarns were AT 600 pounds and
in 1896 were 2,431 600 pounds. He said
| that the coarser grades of yarn could bt
| manufactured in this country. especially
| in the south, owing to long hours ant
cheap labor, perhaps as cheaply as il
England. They recognized, he said
that some time in the future the south
! might become competitor in the manu-
facture of finer yarns.
Simon B. Chase of Fall River, Mass.
on behalf of the cotton cloth manufac
turers. said those whom he represented
did not ask an increase of duty, although
on the finest grades they did not have
adequate protection. They recognized
that the non-classihcation in the act OF
1894 was in the right direction. What
they desired was two or three amend
ments to compel importatiOns of certain
classes under specific duties, as they were
persuaded that abuses crept in. They
also desired new definition of goods
containing 300 threads and upwards tC
the square inch. Upon embroidered OIL
figured woven goods, class of goods
of recent manufacture, they asked al
additional duty of 30 per cent. Mr.
Chase also asked for some sprovision
which would protect them from hand
kerchef manufacturers who imported
cloths marked off with sample lines OF
color. This, he claimed, was Il cleal
evasion of the law.
Mr.. Chase and Mr.. McAIillin had a
sharp tilt over the effectiveness of ad
valorem duties.
"Ad valorem duties," Mr.. Chase said
''catch nothing in the custom house"
In reply TO Il question from Mr.
Wheeler Mr.. Chase expressed the
opinion that it was hardly possible that
the cost of manufacture of coarser
cloths in the south was but two-thirds OF
the cost in Manchester He said the
exports from the south went chiefly to
China and were of such a class that the
cost for raw material made up the bulk
of that value.
Proceeding, Mr. Chase said that the
selling price of goods was kept down to
the lowest possible price by competition.
Mr.. McNIillin attempted to show that
this was not the fact in the case of
many protected articles, but Mr.. Chase
insisted that it was true. except where
artificial combinations existed.
"Then, in your opinion, artificial COM
binations do exist?' asked Mr.. McMillin.
II have so understood" replied Mr..
Chase.
"Well." calculated Mr.. Steele of In
diana, looking blandly across the table
at Mr.. Mcmillan, what are you going
to do about it?'
A representative of the cotton growers
of the Mississippi valley. w. X. Craig
of Vicksburg, Miss, appeared to ask for
a duty on Egyptian cotton. This prod
uct was underselling the extra staple cot
ton of the Mississippi valley. it having
greatly decreased in price during the
past ten years. Extra staple, he ex-
planned. was worth to ) cents a pound
more than the upland cotton and could
be used for most grades of glossy goods
in which Egyptian was utilized. Many
New England manufacturers bought
Egyptian or American for the same pur-
poses. according to which was cheaper.
The years growth of extra staple in the
Mississippi valley was 100000 bales and
the Egyptian importations from the port
of Alexandria alone was G0.000 bales.
the Egyptian bales being 90 per cent