The morning times., 1897-01-09
APPEALED FOR PROTECTION
Representatives of Glassware,
Marble and Stone Industries.
WORKMEN DRIVEN TO WALL
Effect of the Present Law Is That
Works Have Been Closed, Wages
Reduced and the Hours of Work
Increased--Re for Higher
Rates Than in the Mckinley Law.

The Ways and Means Committee ycster-
day heard representatives OF the earth
enware, glass ware, marble and stone. indus
tries.
f. w. Walker of Beaver Falls, Pa, the
first speaker, advocated change III the
section of the present law relating to tiles,
favoring a new classification, with spe-
cific duties.
On tiles now paying % per cent ad
valoren lie desired duty OF . cents per
square foot or four cents per pound, and on
higher grades, now paying 40 per cent.
he requested duty of 20 cents per square
foot, or cents per pound.
Most of the tiles now imported Were being
undervalued and were brought i'll under
the % per cent rate. The duties he asked
would give che industry the required pro
lection, yield more revenue and simplify
the collections
r. W. Leslie of Philadelphia advocated
the retention OF the present duty on cement.
J.. Arlington of Alton, H., asked on be-
half of the glassblowers Of Illinois the res
toration of the Mckinley rates on bottles.
Driven to the Wall.
E a. Agard OF Streator, H., a glass
blower, said that the American wOrkmcn
had been driven to the wall 10y the present
tariff law Works lad been closed, dges
reduced and the hours of work increased
Under the Mckinley law the industry had
prospered and at the same time the cost or
bottles was reduced % per cent. Under
present conditioasit was becoming more aud
more Cifficu.t for American glassblowers
to hold their own against the cheap labor
abroad. The old duty was simply just
and fair and had in jured no one.
Tie present duty had in no way benefited
tie consumer and had almost ruined the
workmen. 1t was simply taking from. those
who had little and giving to those who
had much.
The business of glass blowing was
a hard one on those engaged in IL and
risks on the workmen were considered
the most undesirable by the insurance
companies. They had an insurance aSSO-
citation among themselves, and its records
showed that the average age of death
among glass blow ers was thirty ei ght
years.
The effect of the Wilson bill was not
a matter of speculation. Wages had gone
down, workmen had left the business
homes had been abandoned. families were
made homeless, and many had walked the
streets suffering for the necessities uf
| life.
w. j. Smith Of PittSburg spoke for the
workers in flint and lime glassware, the
most important branch OF the glass in
dustry, employing the greatest number of
laborers aud having the largest capital.
The Greatest Competitor.
He asked for protection on lime and flint
products i'll order that the industry might
live and employment be given the idle
workmeu. 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 are
here, came next.
The industry needed stimulation now
more than ever before, and in his opinion
the duties given should exceed these i'll
the Mckinley law.
He exhibited glassware which was be-
ing imported, laid down in this country
at IA price less than the labor on them
cost here. From 10 TO so per cent OF
the cost of making flint and lime glass was
in the labor.
In reply to a question hy Mr.. McMillin
among glass manufacturers.
W F. Dorflinger Of New York. repre-.
senting the Cut-gIass Manufacturers As
sociation, said high tariff on cut glass
was necessary in order TO compete sue
ceSSfully with the ware produced by cheap
foreign labor.
In the United States the wages average
SIS per week; in England, SIS: in Belgium,
So, and in other countries, even lower.
Foreign makers had resident agents in
the United States, to whom goods were
consigned, and they always mana ged to
undersell the domestic makers. The for
eign price of these goods could not be cb-
tained, but he was confident a systematic
system of undervaluaton was being praC-
ticed. To check this fraud specific in
stead of ad valorem duties were necessary.
Effect of Present Law.
F. L. Bodine of Philadelphia a panufac-
turer of cylinder window glass and green
and flint bottles, said that the effect of
the present la W had been to reduce wages
close factories, and bankrupt most of the
domestic makers. From So to 80 per cent
of the cost of this product represented labor.
American competition had reduced the
price Of the ware, and between S94 and
1896, when American competition had
been diminished, the cost had advanced
about per cent.
The importation Of foreign glass was
unnecessary, as the mills Of this country
were able to supply the home demand aId
would do so if the labor alone was given
the requisite protection.
The Belgian manufacturers, he under
stood, were determined to supply this
market, and in order to do so were willing
to put their goods here even at loss.
Under these conditions he thought it reas-
enable, just and necessary to have rates
not lower than those fixed in the Mckinley
law.
Mr. D. NJ. Stewart Of Chattanooga, Tenn,
manufacturer Of lava gas tips, adyo-
Gated a specific duty of 80 cents per gross
on importations OF lava tips.
Tie committee adjourned until tomorro W,
when those interested in iron, steel and lead
ores will be heard.
Great Chicago bank failure sale at the
Misfit Clothing Parlors begins today. 4O7
Seventh street. 1t