The evening times., 1896-12-28

The first of the twelve public hearing
to be given on the revision Of the tariff
was begun in the Committee of Ways and
Means of the House of Representatives this
morning
Chairman Dingley presided, and there
was a pretty full attendance, although, as
Mr. Dingley has requested that the commu-
nications should be in writing as far as pos
sbie, il is anticipated that the so-call ed
Hearings will be in large part readings"
Nevertheless there were Il number OF lead
ing chemical manufacturers present, the
firstday ngdcro5ed TO schedule A, chem
icais, oils and paints, and schedule H, spir-
its, wines and other beverages.
The first two gentlemen heard were
Thomas F. Harrison, OF Philadelphia, and
Henry Krebbs, ir., of san Francisco. While
the last named was spea king MIR. McMil-
len. of Tennessee, entered the room and
took his seat as a Democratic member OF
the committee.
Thomas L. Harrison. of Philadelphia,
representing the Manufacturing Chemists
Association, was the first to address the
committee. His association desired the
rates in the new tariff bill to be specific,
instead OF ad valorem, as at present. In
the chemical business there was now in
vested over S15O 100000. 1t was asking
no favors, but thought it was entitled to
justice. A committee OF five, appointed
by his association, would submit later in
writing to the committee the rates desired
on chemicals.
San Francisco Heard.
IL. Krebbs, of San Francisco, speaking of
the chemical schedule, said that the tariff
act of S54 did not meet the expectation of
the government crehe manufacturers. He
desired a change in the classification OF
borate of lime and borate of soda. The
present law was defective in its specfica-
tions, and he desired il changed, so as to
be more explicit. Under it the American
miners and producers had been deprived of
one-half of their home market because
under the name of crude borate of lime a
calcined, concentrated and artiiicially
treated material, which contained u very
high percentage of boric acid, was i'm
ported.
James McGuire, of New York, desired a
change in the classification and wording of
the alumina schedule.
No change in the rate of duty was de-
sired, but under the present law it was nee
esSary 10 import Sc per cent of water to
get their product.
w. II. H Childs. of New York, desired
a change in the wording of the Coal tar
schedule. The article was now on the free
list, and he desired it to remain there.
j. T. Schullkoff, OF Buffalo, advocated
raising from 20 to 30 per cent ad valorem
the duties on coal tar colors, not specially
provided for.
Can't Live on the Free List.
]. S. Page, of New York, representing
color makers, was satisfied with the present
rates. but If rates on chemicals are raised
the duty on colors must also 20 up.
II. c. Stewart. of Philadelphia, asked for
a duty on ochre, ochery earths, SIENNA and
oxide OF iron. 4 these articles remained
in the free list for two more years they
could not live.
James Hartford, representing the chem
ical section of the New York board Of trade
andtransportation on, ,advocateda cha nge from
ad valorem to specific duties on all drugs.
Samuel Merz, of New Jersey, requested
duty of l2 cents per POUND on ultra
marine dyes. Improved methods had en-
abled American manufacturers to produce
about sOper cent ofthc home consumption,
The difference in the cost OF labor was
about 6 to 2 12 between the United
states and that abroad and in order to
compete with foreigners the duty asked
was necessary.
W W. ssiddy Of New York, representing
the manufacturers of dye wood extracts,
requested duty Of seven-eighths of
cent per pound on the liquid and 1-2
cents per pound on the solid article. This,
he said, was distinctively an American in
dustry. but lately the French and Germans
had begun their manufacture, and the
cheapness of foreign labor allowed them to
dump their surplus product here He sim
ply asked duty which would protect A mer-
lean producers. He also asked that the
duty on licorice paste and extracts be left
at cents per pound, as in the present tar
iff law, and the licorice root remain on
the free list.