The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-30
COTT0NS AND SILKS
TARIFF REVISION COMMITTEE
LISTENS To MANUFACTURERS
Arguments Made for Change 10
Specific Duties-A Tilt Between
McNiiIin and simon h. Chase
wheeler Says the Birthright OF
the south IL Free Institutions.
Free Trade. Free Every thing
Sugar Schedules Today.

WARRINGTON, Dee. 2a.--The ways and
means committee devoted the day listen
ing % the reports Of delegations Interest,"
e. in the schedules relating 10 cotton
manufactures and silk and silk goods.
Ire attendance was not as large "a yes
terdsy and the number who appeared 10
make oral arguments vas much smaller
The committee is encouraging the filing
of briefs wherever possible. The feature
Of the day was q brief oral argument
made BY I. q. Hovey. OF New York, repre-
senting the Textile Manufacturers Assoc
citation, In favor of more stringent regu-
lations 10 prevent differentiation and
fraud on the revnue. Mr.. Hoyey has
quasi connection with the New York board
OF general appraisers. The others who APP
peared before the committee today We're:
Arnold r. sanford. of Fan River. in be-
half OF specific instead OF ad valorem du-
ties On cotton yarns: Simon r. Chase. in
behalf OF some amendments relating 10
cotton cloths, Robert Pillings, Of Phia-
delphia, for a change 70 specific duties ON
cotton hosiery md slightly higher; Robert
NJ. Cooper. of Olneyvilie. r. L., who asked
for 40 cents a dozen aud 80 per cent ad
valorem on cotton hosiery; James Tai
colt. OF New Britain. Conn, and W. III.
Bilyeu, OF philadelphia. for higher rates
on hosiery: ". r. Craig. OF Vicksburg.
Miss. for a duty on Egyptian cotton; 3.
IT. Stoner, of Wrightsvilie Pa. for a new
classification OF embroidered goods and an
increase of the rate, and ". II. Chapman,
Of East Hampton, Mass. who asked that
silk buttons be placed in the silk schedule.
Mr. Chase and Mr.. McMillin had sharp
tilt over the effectiveness Of ad valorem
duties
"Ad valorem duties,'' Mr.. Chase said,
catch nothing in the custom house."
In reply to a question from Mr.. Wheeler,
Mr.. Chase expressed the opinion that It
was hardly possible that the cost Of man
ufacturerIng eoarser cloths in the South
was but two-thirds Of the countrys man
ufacture. He said that the exports OF the
South went chiefly to China, and were OF
such q class that the cost of raw material
made up the bulk of value. Proceeding.
Mr.. Chase said the selling price of the
goods was kept down 10 the lowest point
by competition.
Mr.. McMillin 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 existea
'srhen in your opinion artificial cornbi-
nations DO exist?" asked Mr., McMillin.
IT have so understood" replied Mr..
Chase
We'll" calculated Mr.. Steele, of In
diana looking blandly across the table at
Mr.. McMulin, what are you going to do
about it?''
A series OF interesting questions put by
Mr.. Dinsley developed the fact that man
ufacturers here pay much heavier taxes
than I'm England. Mr.. Chase said his mill
paid $4,000 taxes while a similar mill in
England would pay but 5000 In England
everything was done 20 stimulate manu-
features. and employers were dealt lenieut-
" with. and the workmen were forced
10 give up part of their wages. Here the
employer paid al and the employe Moth
ing.
\ representative Of the cotton growers
of the Mississippi valley. Nr. Craig. urged
a tariff duty on Egyptian cotton. This
product was underseling the extra staple
cotton OF the Mississippi valley. having
greatly decreased the price during the past
ten years.
The same question was discussed by c.
=. Bak=r, treasurer Of the Lawrence Man
ufacturing Company, OF Lowell Mass. He
said Egyptian cotton was finer than the
American goods: that II had less waste
and a better color; that the American
product could not be used for certain
goods for which the Egyptian was used.
and manufacturers were willing 20 pay ia
cents a pound more for the Egyptian
goods I'm which either class could be used
The expense Of producing Egyptian cot
ton was great. because the land had to
be irrigated.
ne 7VNfA NtU4G DC Selling It's 5TTh-
right for q mess Of pottaga TO ask for
this protection" commented Mr. Wheeler
Of Alabama.
What do you cali It's birthrlght7" asked
Chairman Dlngley
''F'ree Institutions. free trade, free ev-
erything." replied Wheeler.
David y. Cooper president OF the Brit
ish Hosiery Company OF Olneyviue. r. l..
presented figures n show that the cost
OF produchg the grade OF goods manufact-
ured by Il firm IS s1es per dozen in the
United States and s. cents in Germany.
T. - Hovey. az New York representing
the textile manufacturers assoctati ap-
peared 20 make a general argument in
favor q = return 20 specific duties IT
know but two countries. g" said he. 'twbich
cling 10 al valorem dEties. One g. the
great United States and the other = Tur-
key (f.ausater1 Ar. Hovey severely
scored Gae stool pigeons 10 WHOM. import
Cd goods We're consigned. lie gave * as
his opinion tnat or saks. owing 70 under
valuation. tine government received but
s. ser cent. while the duty Was IS per
cent
The committee adjourned unt1 tomor-
row when tAe sugar sche3ais sill be
taken Up.