The San Francisco call., 1897-01-12
TARIFF HEARINGS
ARE CONCLUDED
Sundries and the Free List
Occupy the Closing
Session.
Representatives Of Many Indus
stries Present Their Claims
Tor Protection.
The Magnificent Revenue That Duty
on Tourists Wearing Apparel
Would Yield.

WASHINGTON. D. c., Jan. 1.-THE
tariff hearings before the Ways and
Means Committee were concluded to-day,
the schedules containing "sundries" and
the ''free list" being considered
Represen tative Corliss of Mississippi
asked for a protective duty on tobacco,
Ium ber, fish, wool and other industries of
his State.
J. S. Smith of Waterbury, Conn, repre-
senting the manufacturers of vegetable
ivory buttons, asked a specific duty on
buttons of l cent per line and 1-40 cents
per inch gross.
S. Liebman of New York advocated a
duty of cent per line and 25 per cent ad
valorem on fancy metal and glass buttons.
1t was impossible, he said, TO collect duties
on these buttons under the present law.
On silk and wooden buttons and button
forms the present law was satisfactory.
n S. Greenoch of Cleveland, on behalf
of the manufacturers of coal tar, asked
small specific duty on this article and
duty on its principal product, pitch, OF 81
per ton, Both articles are now on the
free list.
Ex-Mayor Schieren of Brooklyn fled a
paper protesting against any increase In
the duty on hides
Abe Gruber Of New York spoke of the
schedule on wearing apparel bought by
tourists. A duty on this class of goods
would yield a revenue of $40, ,O00, 900 per
annum. In this connection he cited the
Astor case, which caused member of
the committee to remark that all tourists
were not Astors. Mr. Grubey replied:
mo, and there will be less Astors here il
this law is not changed"
NJ. Littauer of New YORK advocated
duties on gloves at the rate of 81, So and
81 per dozen, according to grade.
Kenneth Barnhart, representing Mar
shall. Field & Co. of Chicago, counseled
moderation in duties and submitted
schedule covering goods imported by his
firm.
Charles F. Smith of New York, glove
importer. was willing to have 20 per cent
added to the present duty on gloves.
Specific duties on the basis he recon-
of about s., SOC, 600 annually.
Representative Keifer of Minnesota, on
behalf of his constituents, requested res
toration of the Mckinley rates on potatoes
and starch.
W. ]. Farrell of New York, al importer
of eorks, requested reduction in the duty
on corks, the duty to be made specific at 5
cents per round on those manufactured,
with cork squares on the free list.
H. Wallerstein of New York, represent
ing the importations in shoe leather,
spoke against any increase in the duty on
this article.
C. J. Craft of New York, maker OF
piano feathers, asked an increase in the
duty on buekskin.
Frank Chapot of Plainfield, N J., ap-
pealed for duty of 50 cents on chamois
skins.
L. D. Brandeis, a representative of the
New England Free-trade League, on be-
half of the consumers and business men of
New England, objected to change in the
condition of things. When it was sug-
gested by mem oer of the committee that
revenue was needed, he said that $32, co.,
COO could be raised by tax on beer.
Representative Morse of Massachusetts,,
on behalf Of the jewelry manufacturers of
New England, asked an increase in the
duty on iewelry.
J. A. Banister of Newark. N. j., de-
sired the present rates on leather contin-
| ued.
]. H. CoIlett of New York, representing
$50 artificial flower manufacturers, SAID
the importation of these goods was de-
priving American workmen of 81, 0O0, 900
in wages annually. Under the present
law the raw material they used was pay
ing more DUTY than the finished product.
Representative Sparkman of Florida
desired the rate on oranges, lemons and
lines suggested a few days ago by Repre-
sentative Bowers of California. He also
suggested that grape fruit be taken from
the free list and duty imposed.
A. Gompers of New York, Tor the dia-
mond- workers CT the United States, said
that their business could not exist under
present conditions, and asked for Is per
cent duty on manufactured diamonds,
with the stones in the rough on the free
list. This was the lowest rate under
which cutters and polishers could live.
Representative Walker of Illinois, on
asbestos be taken from the free list and
made dutiable at 80 per cent.
r. 3. Gregory of Chicago, on behalf of
the man u1actureIS ana I'M Dorter5 OF
musical instruments, requested that the
present rates OF duty on these goods be
allowed to stand.
Ex-Representative Davis of West Vir-
gina, speaking on coal. said that the
duty on bitumirous coal was much too
low, considering either the revenue re-
qured by the Government or an equitable
distribution of duties. The duties should
be 25 per cent. Under the Mckinley bill
revenue of $3.50, 1888 was collected. while
under the Wilson bill but s4s6 loo was
yielded.
e. H. Mccullough of Pennsylvania also
advocated an increase of duty in behalf of
the 500, eco men employed in the coal
trade.
Colonel William Lamb of Norfolk, Va,
said that the Pocahontas coal region has
lost 25 per cent of its business under the
Wilson law.
Chairman Dingley announced that this
would close the public hearings.
SEOUEL TO Il SUICIDE.