New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-03
THEY ASK FOR PROTECTION.
INDUSTRIES THAT ARE PARALYzED BY
FOREIGN CHEAP LABOR

-
FLAX HEMP AND JUTE INTERESTS REPRESENTED
BEFORE THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMIT
rEE-FAcroRIEs CLOSED AND WAGES
REDUCED BY THE OPERATIONS OF
THE WILSON TARIFF LAW.
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuYEl
Washington Jan. 2.-The manufacturers of
yarns Irvine. bagging and other goods from
hemp. fax and other foreign f1bres do not APP
pear to have realized the benefits from free
raw materials that were promised by the
trainers and advocates OF the existing tariff.
who placed most Of those fibres on the free
list two years ago. On the contrary. those
industries have langulshec. and some OF them
have been and now are in state of suspended
animation on account OF the legislation Of 1904.
Their representatives were present In force be-
fore the Committee on Ways and Means to-day
both in person and by carefully prepared writ
ten statements. to urge restoration In whole
or in part Of the duties Of 1890 The importers
Of certain kinds Of jute. hemp and max goods
were also represented by men who not only
protested against any increase Of existing duties.
but argued in favor of further reductions.
In the course of the hearing Chairman Ding
ley called attention to the loss Of revenue caused
by the transfer Of fax. hemp tow. burlaps.
bagging etc. from the dutiable to the free list.
A presen, OF about So, 100000 year was made
to the burlap manufacturers Of Calcutta and
Dundee in the form of a remission of duties. and
Of about $500 900 more to foreign producers OF
fax. hemp, etc, without any benefit to Amer!-
can consumers and greatly to the injury Of
American manufacturers.
APPEALS FROM THE PACIFIC COAST.
William Rutherford. of Oakland. Cal. ap-
~lz,r - n,tt,
Irvine, yarns, burlaps and bags in the Pacific
States. and advocated the restoration suostah-
TALLY OF the duties of 1890 Under these rates
the domestic manufacturers had increased their
output so that it equalled 40 per cent OF the
consumption in the Pacific States. which is ex-
ceedinrly large on account of the demands or
the wheat growers. fruit-growers, beet sugar
manufacturers and persons engaged IN other
important industries OF grain bags alone soIhe
40OOOOOO are required each year Since 1871
the factories have all been idle except the one
In the California State Prison, while In Cal
cutta in the last two years. 3.OOO looms nave
been added to the 10000 that were in use IN
1894 The law of that year had been penen-
cent measure so far as Calcutta ana Duhuee
were concerned. but an oppressive one so far as
the capital and labor employed in those
branches of the tute industry which he repre-
where men in the factories received an average
Of 20 cents day and women an average or 10
cents a day had been brought into direct COM
netiton with the wage-earners Of the United
States In the California mills men had earned
an average Of So a week. and women (weavers)
Sc a week The increase in the importations OF
buraps and bagging had been enormous anu
Calcutta and Dundee together had ALREADY Sc
cured virtual control of the American market
Mr. Rutherford warned the committee that
Japanese competition must be expected in the
near future Already the biggest wooilen mill
in California a mill which employed l'ooo hands
under the tariff of 1890, had been SOLO anu
Skinned TO japan. and an offer had been received
from him for his jute factory, which the "ouiu-
be purchaser desired to send TO Yokohama
where coal costs only 90 cents ton, and wages
range from - cents to 6 cents day OF thirteen
hours.
GIARING EvASIONS OF THE LAW
Nr. Rutherford also called the attention OF
the committee to what appeared to be glaring
ovasons Of the law. by means of which jute
goods are brought in free Of duty on which
duty of 30 per cent ad valorem should be lev
.e6 and collected He exhibited samples OF
considerable number and variety of fabrics
which were admitted free of duty at the San
trancisco Custom House. Some OF the goods
were twilled and handsomely finished. OF fine
texture and dyed in various colors. and could
be used for large variety or purposes. he
had tried to have such importations stopped
but thus far without success. although the mat
ter was still subject of official consideration.
The local appraiser at San Francisco. however,
had held that under the wording cg the law,
which seems to be open to an exceedingly I'D
eral INTERPRETATION for the benefit of the import
ore tho goods must be admitted free of duty
These goods come into competition rot only
with jute goods but also with cotton ana
woollen goods of domestic manufacture The
strength Of the competition with jute goods he
indicated by a tabular statement showing that
10 manufacture 100000 yards Of jute cloth or
burlaps, forty inches wide and weighing 1Oh
ounces to the yard would cost 81 244 in Califor-
MIA and only S3.043 in Calcutta.
Mr.. Rutherford was followed by Crawford
Lyon, Of Baltimore. a merchant who imports
.ute goods Mr. Lyon is who is almost
fierce in his earnestness and in his belief that
the information in his possession Is accurate
and final and must not be disputed or ques-
toned He speedily found himself in hot water
be cause he at first declined to answer ques-
ton asked by member Of the committee. Mr.
Lyon had asserted among other things that the
manufacturers Of oilcloths and lnoleum are
even now enjoying the benefits Of lavish pro-
lection" that the dLves ought to be reduced
rather than increased, and that men who were
formerly and now are Interested in the manu-
tacture of ocloth ARE now presidents and
principal owners Of bsuks." when General
Crosvenor interrupted hin and said:
What do you mean to fnplyT'
II prefer not to be interrupted until have