The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-01-12
HEARINGSARE OVER

HEAhINUO a M wv T. Il
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE WAYS AMI
MEANS COMMITTEE ALL IN.
All Sorts of Interests are Represented or
the Last Day Devoted to This Prelimi
nary Stage of the New Tariff Bnl-Ses-
sion Devoted to Miscellaneous Articles
and .he Free List-Everything From
Moss Peat and Clay Pipes to Slate Pen
ellis and the Goody Apparel of Return
Ing Tourists.
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE formal
hearings by the ways and means COM
znittee OF representatives OF various IN
dustries who seek to have the tariff rates
changed We're concluded today. The
committee has held sessions for this pur-
pose during the past several weeks, and
in that time a large number OF persons
have appeared before it. The varied
character of the schedules today under
consideration brought a large assem-
blage to the rooms from all sections.
The largest delegation was that headed
by ex-senator Davis of West Virginia,
who asked for a higher duty on coal
During the afternoon the dull current Of
facts and statistics delivered by the
speakers was broken by Mr.. Kraft Of
New Jersey, who, by his manner OF de-
livery, was vastly amusing to the COM
mittee and spectators. He explained
that Dutchman had right to speak
three times to make himself understood.
Washington, Jan 1.-THE ways and
means committee considered the mscel-
laneous articles coming under the tariff
law, and the free list, as well, today.
The subjects brought a large crowd TO
the capitol.
William Colder of Chicago recon-
Inended duties on moss peat which is
now on the free list. Foreign dealers
had charged $50 a ton before Americans
entered the business, and it had dropped
~ s12, less than it could be produced for.
Four dollars ton duty was asked for.
The chief cost was for labor, and SUI
ficient material could be found in Jack
son county, Wisconsin, to supply the
United States.
Eenntr Barnhart, a representative of
Marshall Field & Co., of Chicago, ad-
specific duties. as an average of 80 per
cent ad valorem duty yielded but 50
per cent. The bulk of the importing
trade was in the hands of foreign man
Ufacturers who were able to sell goods
here cheaper than Marshall Field & Co.
could land them in New York. The par
aS-aph allowing duties equal 10 the
ntanufacturer's cost plus per cent, was
the most Instantaneous 10 Americans,
,7rr tha 0f fcyl1r N
many instances the firm found it cheap
er to buy goods of consignees on this
side than 10 buy them abroad.
That is proof positive Of fraud" Mr..
Dingley remarked.
Abraham Gruber Of New York spoke
for duties on wearing apparel brought
into the United States by foreign tour
lists. The present system worked to the
advantage of the rich. who were able to
travel abroad, Mr.. Gruber continued. !
He would tax all clothing worn by tour |
lists entering the United States.
But it is necessary for persons to wear |
clothing when they enter" said Chair |
man Dingley.
Not if the fashions of our swell din |
ners in New York become prevalent" |
Mr.. Gruber replied. He continued that |
many rich people went abroad annually |
10 do their shopping, making money by |
Lucius Littauer of New York asked the |
following rates OF gloves: Schmascham |
- a dozen; lamb So; kid 81. The average |
labor cost on kid was in Europe S150 a |
dozen, In The United States $3.50.
An importer OF lamb gloves, Mr. W. J. |
Curtis of New York. made plea for a |
system which would not discriminate
against the cheaper gloves. He claimed |
that the rates asked by Mr.. Littauer for
lalr IN. IL
than the Mckinley rates. He was will
ing to accept rates of so cents a dozen,
all grades, less than those asked by Mr..
I-ittauer. Specific duties would be salts
factory 10 all.
Charles Z. Smith, representing the
New York glove importers, presented a
schedule, which, he said, averaged 20 per
cent higher than the present rates. From
100000 to 100000 pairs of high grade
gloves were brought over by tourists an
Eually. All importers desired a specific
rate, to save them trouble.
Representative Kiefer of Minnesota
presented petition from residents Of
Minnesota asking that rates imposed on
potatoes and starch by the Mckinley
law be re-established.
Hallenem of New York, representing
importers of shoe leather. said certain
kinds of enameleG and shoe leather could
not be made in this country, and that
the duty should be reduced.
Henry Burke said that tanned and fin
ished leather was fully protected but he
thought II would be well to change the
duty TO specific one. 4 higher duty |
should be placed on East India tanned
goat and sheepskins. advancing it from
10 per cent 10 per cent ad yalorem.
Mr. Kraft of New York said he was
one OF the two manufacturers of buck
skin piano forte action leather. He ask
ed that the duty be restored TO 50 per
cent.
Representative Morse of Massachusetts
introduced speakers who desired an in
crease OF the duty on jewelry. in which
entire towns in his state are interested.
Mr.. Thresher of Addleboro presented a
plea Tor new classification of jewelry.
in order that il should not be placed in
a lower scale. Much jeweIry. he said, was
imported under the head Of hat pins.
cum buttons, ETC., paying p instead OF
5rper sent
Representative Sparkman of Florida
asked that the grape fruit be included IN
the classification with oranges. lemons.
etc
A. Gompers OF New York. represent
ing diamond workers. asked that rough
diamonds be admitted free and the duty
on finished diamonds be advanced from
10 TO Is per cent
Colvin Tampkins of New York Ctr
followed and asked that gypsum rock be
placed on the free list. Unless it WIS
free. he said. the eastern man
ufacturers could not compete with those
OF the west
Representative Rinaker of Illinois
thought that tariff of so per cent
should be placed upon asbestos. When
bulbs. fower-seeds and shrubbery were
placed upon the free list it greatly in