Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-09
TARIFF HEARINGS.
EARTHExwARE, GLASSWARE,
MARBLE, AND STONE.
CHARGE AGAINST PRESENT LlE.
"American Worl<men Driven to the
WALL Works CIosedy Wages Re-
duced, Hours of Labor Increased"-s
Restoration of McIxinIeyisn Asked

WASHINGTON. January s.-The Ways
and Means Committee to-day heard tho
representatives Of the earthenware, gIess-
ware. marble, and stone industries.
+. w. Walker. OF Beaver Falls. Pa.. the
first speaker, advocated a change I'm the
section of the present law relating To
titles. favoring a new classification. with
specific duties.
II. w. Leslie. OF Philadelphia. advocated
the retention of the present duty on
cement.
l.. "A. Arlington, of Alton, ILL.,. asked,
on behalf of the glassblowers OF Illinois.
a restoration Of the Mckinley rates on
bottles.
Il. "A. Agari, OF Streator. ILL.,. glass
blower. said that he American work.
men had been driven to the wall by the
present tariff law. Works had been
closed. wages reduced, and the hours OF
work increased. Under the Mckinley Law
the industry had prospered. and at the
same time the cost OF bottles was re-
duced % per cent. Under present condi-
tions. Il was becoming more and mors
difficult for the American giass-blowers
to hold their own against the cheap labor
abroad. The old duty was simply just
and fair. and injured no one. The pres
ent duty had In no wny benefited the
consumer, and had almost ruined tho
worlSmen. 1t was simply taking from
those who had little and giving to those
who had much.
w. j. Smith. OF Pittsburg spoke for
the workers i'm flint and lime glassware.
the most important branch of the glass
industry. employing the greatest number
Of laborers. and having the largest capi-
tai. He asked for protection on lime and
flint products In order that the industry
might live. and employment be given Idle
workmen. Bohemia. with the cheapest
labor In the world, was the greatest COM
petitor. Germany. where the wages were
only about one third OF what they were
here, came next. The industry needed
stimulation now more than ever before.
and. in his opinion, the duties given
should exceed those In the Mckinley law.
w. F.. Dorfiinger. of New York, rep
resentlng the Cut-Glass Manufacturers
Association, said a high tariff on cut
glass was necessary. In order to compete
successfully with the ware produced by
cheap. foreign labor.
WINDOw-G GLASS
F. l.. Bodine, OF Philadelphia. a manu-
facturer of cylinder windowglass and
green and flint bottles. said that the
effect of the present law had been to-
reduce wages, close factories and bank
rupt most of the domestic makers. The
Importation OF foreign glass was unneces-
| sary, as the mills OF this country were
| able to supply the home demand. and
| would do so II the labor alone were
| given the requisite protection. Under
| these conditions, he thought II reasona-
Bile. just, and necessary TO have rates
| not lower than those fixed In the Me-
| Kinley law.
| Samuel Burns, representing the win
| dow-glass makers OF Pittsburg, sail that
| those he represented required an addi-
tional tariff to compete with foreigners.
| The effects OF the Wilson bill had been
| disastrous to the workmen and the trade.
| the workmen being forced to accept q
reduction OF from q to 2S per cent.
| Representatives Of the potters OF New
Jersey and East Liverpool. o., told prac-
| tically the same story as the glass-blow.
| ers. and made the same appeal for pro-
| lection.
a Rutland. VT, marble quarrymsn
| asked for a duty on marble.
Mr. ID. NJ. Stewart. OF Chattanooga,
! Tenn, a manufacturer of lava gas-tips.
| advocated a specific duty OF 80 per cent.
| per gross on importations OF lava-tips.
The committee adjourned until to-mor-
| row. when those interested In iron, steel.
| and lead ores Will be heard.