The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-01-10
STILL DEV|SING
WAYS AND MEANS
A Session Devoted to Iron
and Lead Ores and
the Metals.
San Bernardino Mines That Have
Been Closed for Want of
Protection.
Reduction Of Wages Alone Has Per
mitted the Tinpla ate Industry
to Live.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 9. - The
hearing before the Ways and Means Com
mittee to-day was devoted to iron and
lead Ores metals and manufactures
thereof. The report of Mr.. Draper on be-
half of the manufacturers of machinery
in New England was presented without
comment on their request for restora-
ton of the Mckinley rates of duty on
their product.
w. b. Alexander Of Omaha, Nebr., sug-
gested the following modification OF the
present paragraph in the law relating to
lead ores "All ores of which lead is q
component part shall be dutiable at the
rate OF three-quarters of / cent per pound
on the lead contained therein"
He thought this provision would ac-
complish the full purpose of the revenue
and be equitable to all concerned. He
did not quarrel with the rate of duty in
the present law, the chief features of
modification being the elimination of the
misle aiding terms, 'lead ores" and "silver
ores"
John D. Davis of California said there
were immense bodies OF galena ore in San
Bernarcino County, California. awaiting
development. The industry had been
started under the Mckinley bill, but had
been forced to suspend under the present
law. Thousands of tons of this ore had
been taken from the mines and placed on
the dumps ready for delivery, and if pro-
lection was given these mines would again
be worked. He advocated a duty of /
cent per pound on lead ore.
Representative Herman of Oregon ap-
pealed for duty of 10 cents per pound
upon nickel in order to allow the develop
ment of our nickel mines.
R. Nj. Thompson, nickel reine- of
New York, said that Mr.. Herman was in
error regarding the prospects OF the mines
of the United States. He had had experts
examine the mines referred to by Mr..
Herman and found that they could not be
made to pay even with adequate protec-
ton.
Stevenson Burke, president of the Can
ada Copper Company, said that the mines
he represented were developed by Ameri-
can capital, and owned by corporation
incorporated under the laws of Ohio. In
order to have the Government and the
people of the United States get the benefit
of nickel armor the company had sold to
the Secretary of the Navy nickel at IL
cents per pound. Just previous to this
French com pany paid % cents tor the
same product. The company had sug-
gested nickel armor, and desired to have
its armer dem onstrated. II the mines re-
ferTed to in this country existed they did
not need protection. He suggested that
their owners be allowed to develop them
and erect refineries.
Fl. ]. Cantwell of Missouri, speaking for
an association of Missouri lead miners,
said the law could not be properly en-
forced, and complained of the smelling
of the ores in bond.
Senator Carter of Montana requested
and was given permission to prepare and
present later paper on, silver and lead
ores.
William A. Ingham of Philadelphia; on
behalf of the Eastern pigiron association,
asked for the restoration of the Mckinley
rates of duty on pigiron.
]. N. NJ. Sinner OF Philadelphia asked
for the restoration OF the Mckinley rates
on pigiron and Endorsed the schemes of
Mr.. Ingham.
]. c. Thropp of Everett, Pa, thought
the present duty on plgiron was adequate
now, but if fair market and fair prices
should prevail it would attract the foreign
product then the duty would not be suf-
ficient. Competition would keep the prices
here at normal figure and protect the
consumer.
w. G. Cronemeyer of Pittsburg, q repre-
sentative of the plate industry, asked for
an increase of from one-eighth TO one
half cent on various grades and a new
clause TO cover plates below No. 80 wire
gauge, which were manufactured here and
needed protection.
After the passage of the Wilson bill it
became necessary to reduce the wages of
workmen from 10 to Is per cent. Tin
plate makers desired the repeal of the
drawback clause of the present law.
Eighty per cent of al! drawbacks paid by
the treasury was on tinplate, great quanti-
ties of which were imported because of the
draw back.
John Jarret of Pittsburg, also nplate-
maker, said that one of the most import
ant questions to the industry was the
drawback feature. Replying to questions
he said that the reduction of wages, to-
gether with the decreased cost Of steel
billets, had alone permitted the industry
to live under the Wilson law. The work
men had paid for the reduction of the
duty.
R. T. Smith of Baltimore, representing
the Canned Goods Exchanse of that city,
argued against any increase of duty on
tinplates.
Thomas Hunter of New York State,
representing the sporting-gun manufac-
turers of the State, said the domestic
makers were fully able TO supply the de-
mands of the home market, provided they
had protection.
r. E. Hastings of Philadelphia, speak
ing for the workers of silver and gold leaf,
aluminium and Dutch metal, all used for
decorating purposes. desired a duty to
cover the difference in the cost of labor
here and abroad.
The committee adjourned until Mon
day, which will be the last day of the
hearings, when various schedules, incIud-
ing sundries and the free list, will be
taken mn