The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-05
rARIFF ON roBAcoO.


Conflicting Interests Give Their Views on
the subject,
WASHINGTON. -. a.. JAM 4.-Spo-
cial-As could have been properly an-
uopated Tie tobacco manufacturers VINO
appeared before the Ways and Means
Committee OF inc House to-day TO urge
the restoration OF tAe Mckinney duties
Ou wrapper tobacco, Wero all irom NeW
Euglanu. Tho southern planters and
manufacturers are already satisfied. ln-
asmuCh as they export tobacco and 10
lot fear inpOrtauOus. TIE duty on
wrapper tobacco is wanted only 10 pro-
tect the planters in Connecticut and
other New England states.
Mr.. Michael IODln, OF Baldwinsvile. ".
T., was tho nrst speaker. lie said tlat
he hau been appointed by tho New Aorh
state Tobacco Association. The tobacco
growers OF New York State were badly
in need of relief al tho hands Of Com
gIcas. They had suffered through tAo lm-
pOrtatiOn OF Sumdtra tobacco TO the eA-
tent that their production had fallen lrom
5000 cases annually 10 l-,vJJ cases. lie
thought that % return 10 the rate OF duty
imposed by the Mckinley bill Nl.0 per
pound on Sumatra wrapper would not
De adequate TO protect the domestic pro-
COULDN'T EXPLAIN.
The chairman asked Mr.. IODln II inc
could account Tor tne Tact that the fet-
cisn price of Sumatra wrappers had gone
duty had been reduced-lrom - "a pound
under the Mckinley uct 10 Sl.5J under tle
Wilson act-Dut Mr.. IObin could HlFe 40
reason for 10 unless II WAS under the law
OF supply and demand.
The chairman, however, intimatcd his
opinion 10 Doc that the foreigner had SIM
ply taken advantage OF the reduction OK
The duty
Tho next witness was Nr. j. S. Van-
duoser. oil HOrschcads, y. y, who said
that he represented tho tobacco growers
of the Chemung Valley, Who comprised
few counties I'm Southern New Orlt and
% few of the northern counties OF Penn
sylyania. lie argued that q pound on
Wrappers, Whlle an appaic cutly cAOiDiiant
tax ad val0rem, was really not cXorul-
tdut when the 0lntrCuCC IN tho cost Ci
labor was taken into consideration.
How Is IL. Mr.. McAlillin asked after
tho witness had made a. rather long poe
htical argument, that Sumatra tobacco,
which costs SLzJ pound. drives out lo-
mestic tobacco which costs from ten TO
fifteen cents r. pound
WHY THEY WANT SUlIATRA.
1T Is because" the witness answered,
"Of the fcolshuess of the American peO-
pie in thinking that because % thing as
imported it is Of necessity better
Mr. McMllin: you think that is all
The wines: "That is all there IS in
MI McSIIilni 'What rate Of duty do
you suggest.
Ihe Witness - don't want At THIS time
TO advise the committee. 4 would iiXe to
have "A rate of duty which ! do not think
there is courage enough iu the party 20
ifrpOsc. Maughtcr) ! would like 10 have
a rate Of duty which / believe the cigar
men. the leaf men. the growers and the
smokers would all agree upon.
II would have rate of duty which
would substantially keep out this Sumatra
tobacco. or AT least cut down its imporia-
tion largely / dare not ask THIS Of you.
because / do not believe you arc in q
situation TO give II 10 us" OLaughtcrJ
Subsequently, in an incidental manner.
the witness suggested SIX collars pound
as the rate Of duty which ho would like
TO have imposed.
THE DEPARTMENTAL RATE.
Mr.. Frederick A. Schroeder. cx-Mayor
of Brooklyn. next addressed the commit
Zee as 4 representative OF the Tobacco
Board OF Trade OF New York city lie
-sla hiS firm dealt as largely In domestic