Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-12

nOunceS That Formal Hearings
are Now Done-The Big Tariff
Tariff Barons will Probably be
Heard in Private or Secretly by
individuals.
WASHINGTON, January 1.-THE for
NAL hearings by the Ways and Means
Committe of representatives of various in
dustries who seek to nave the tariff rates
changed, were concluded to-day. The
committee held sessions for this purpose
during the past several weeks and in that
time a large number of persons have ap-
peared before il. The varied character OF
the schedules to-day under consideration
brought a large assemblage 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 deliv-
cred by the speakers was broken by Mr..
Kraft of New Jersey, who, by his man
ner of delivery, was vastly amusing to
ed that d Dutchman had right to speak
three times to make himself undersood.
Representative Corliss. of Michigan,
asked for protection on tobacco, lumber,
fish and other products of his district
J. Richard Smith, of Waterbury, Conn.
asked for specific duties. so far as possible,
on vegetable ivory buttons.
Rudolph Lederman. of New York. spoke
for specific duties on glass and metal but
tons.
The coal tar manufacturers were rep
resented by \. S. Greenough. of Cleveland.
Pitch, the chief product of coal tar, he
said was largely imported, and coal tar
somewhat. A duty of 81 a ton on pitch,
and specific duties on coal tar were want
ed.
Your business would simply change gas
making from water gas to coal gas and
not give work to single laborer," COM
| mented Mr.. Payne.
j. c. Storey. of Boston, said that it was
peculiar that a representatives, of the gas
companies should appear to ask duty on
by product of gas and combatted the pro-
position TO put on duties.
The products We're used for refining and
paving and the gas manufactured did not
produce enough TO supply the home de-
ndGj.
William Colder. of Chicago. recommend
ed duties on moss peat. which is now on
the free list. Foreign dealers had charged
$50 u ton before Americans entered the
business. and had dropped to So. less than
it could-be produced for here. Four dollars
"a fp drftt
labor and sufficient material could be
found in Jackson county. Wis. to supply
the United States.
kennett Barnhart, n representative Of
Marshall Field & Co.. of Chicago. advo-
Gated moderation in the tariff and specific
duties. As an average. an advalorem duty
of 80 per cent yielded but 35 per cent
The bulk of the importing trade was in
the hands of foreign manufacturers who
were able to sell goods here cheaper than
Marshall Field e Co. could land them in
New York. The paragraph allowing du-
ties equal to the g6st. plus
per cent was the most disadv8ntageous
TO Americans. under the system of con-
signments. In many instances the firm
found it cheaper to buy goods of con-
signees on this side than TO 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 tourists.
The present system worked to the ad-
vantage of the rich, who were able to
travel abroad. Mr.. Gruber continued. He
would tax all clothing worn by tourists
entering the United States.
But it is necessary for persons to wear
clothing when they enter" said Chairman
Dmgley.
Not if the fashions of our swell din
ners In New York became prevalent" Mr..
Gruber replied. He continued that MANY
rich people went abroad annually to do
their shopping, making money by the
evasion of duties.
Ex-senator Davis, of West Virginia,
spoke upon the subject Of coal The duty
upon bituminous COAL he said. is entirely
too low. being but a per cent. while the
average duty upon all articles in the Will
son law is Al per cent. The duty, he said,
is much less than at any previous time
and should be at least - cents per ton,
this being about % per cent. ad valorem.
Col William Lamb, of Norfolk. Va, said
when So cents was taken from the duty it
became apparent that unless reductions
were made in charges of railroads and
operators for handling coal. the miners
would be placed on starvation wages The
railroads did reduce charges and went
into bankruptcy. Then the railroad re-
ceivers were compelled TO raise the price
of freight and the strikes in the Pocahon-
tas. Virginia. mines was the result. The
old rate of - cents. he said. should be
restored.
Chairman Dngley announced before ad-
iolIrnment that the formal hearings on the
tariff were now concluded.
CHARLES EMORY SMITH