Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-03
FIFTH DAY IF THE HEARING Of Representatives of Industries
 as to Tariff
  FLAX AND HEMP GOODS The Subject Set Apart for Discussion by tEe
The Subject Set Apart for Discussion by tEe
 Committee.
MARKED DIFFERENCE OF OPINION
Between Eastern and Western Representa- lives of Manufacturers-One Tried To
 Be Bright in His Remarks, But sef@s Was Called Down.

Washington, Jan. 2-Today was the fifth day of the tariff hearings before the house committee on ways and means, the subject of discussion being flax, hemp and their manufactures" There was quite large attendance of persons interested in these industries.
 The first manufacturer to be heard was MT. William Rutherford, of Oakland, Cal, who said that in California they were engaged in making twine, yarn and cloth in great many varieties. The first of these mills were started there about thirty years ago, and within that time the business had increased largely. They now wanted a reasonable protec- tion to run their mills, and he suggested such changes in the tariff as were con sidered necessary for the purpose.
 The manufacturers of California, he said, in the last election, had given their votes for protection, thinking this the quickest way to give employment to the idle; protection for themselves and reve- nue for the government. The mills in the United States had been active in keeping down the price of these goods to the farmers Up to the passage of the Will son bill fair duty had been given to the industry. The measure benefited the mills of Calcutta and other foreign coun- tries at the expense of the domestic man. ufacturers. Between 1893 and 1895 the imports of jute and burlaps more than doubled. Under the clause in the free list admitting cotton bagging and cer- tain goods made of burlaps, importers were bringing cloths of various kinds, including horse and carriage robes. This was not fair nor the intent fact but the words "all such material used in the act enabled the goods to be brought in The makers of mixed jute and cotton goods suffered from this. He had called the attention of the customs officials to it. and he Understood that they now had the matter under consideration.
 One of the oldest plants in the United States, established at Black Point, Cal, during the war, had been taken down and transferred to Japan.
 He had been advised to transfer his plant to Yokohama, being told that he could get his labor at from to 12 cents per day and his coal for about 90 cents per ton. But he had found foreigners could not hold property in Japan. and therefore he had to give up that idea.
 The summing-up of MT. Rutherfords statement was the suggestion of the fol- lowing rates in the new tariff:
 "Burlaps, of any width of flax, jute or hemp, or of which flax, ,jute or hemp, or either of them, shall be the compo- nent material of chief value (except such as may be suitable for cotton), 1A cents per pound Bags for grain, made of bur laps, cents per pound.
 MT. Crawford Lyon, of Baltimore, was the next speaker He began by eharac- terizing the last witness as misleader and alarmist; and he contradicted a statement of MT. Rutherford's as to the admission of jute fabrics free of duty. The interest in which he himself ap- peared was that of oil-cloth and linoleum.
 In the course of MT. Lyons statement he made remark as to manufacturers of oil cloth in Baltimore becoming presi- dents or principals of banks.
 Mir Grosvenor asked what MT. Lyon meant to imply by that remark.
 Mr. Lyon said that he preferred to go on with his statement and be interrogat- ed afterwards.
 This suggestion was resented by several members of the committee and MT. Grosvenor added: "Suppos insist on having my question answered now. Tell the committee what you mean to imply by saying that certain bank presidents in Baltimore have been engaged in the manufacture of oil cloths.'ss
 q imply nothing" said the witness. '"I say that certain manufacturers of oil cloths in Baltimore have become presi- dents and principals of banks"
 Perhaps they were, bank presidents before they becameE. oil cloth manufac- turers MT. Grosyenor suggested
 That is not so,'' said MT. Lyon.
 "Then you mean to imply" MT. Grosv enor persisted, that they make unreas- onable profits as oil cloth manufacturers and went into the banking business?''
 "I leave you to imply whatever you like" was the reply.
 The oil cloth and iineoleum business here, he said, was in the hands of a few companies. Any increase in the present place the makers here in a position to "squeeze" the public, an opportunity they have never known to overlook. The cost of making these products now was 4I.z. sw . the improvement of machinery enabled one employe to do great deal more work.
 MT. Rutherford, of California, the first witness said that he did not object to bel ing called an "alarmist," but he would not submit to being characterized as a misleader, and he went on to argue that he was right in his original statement.
 John Wilson, of Newark, N. J., flax worker spoke on behalf of those engaged in this trade. He asked for the restora- tion of the duties of three cents per pound on dressed flax with free raw material. If raw material was taxed cent pound he asked Az per cent. per pound on the dressed article, to even the difference in wages here and abroad.
 Leslie Coombs, of Lexington, Ky, said that previous to the passage of the pres ent tariff law he had been the largest hemp grower in this country. His busi- ness had been practically destroyed m. der the law, and he had not grown a pound for years
 The putting of sisal grass, manila and jute on the free list had greatly damaged the hemp industry. At the time of the formation of the, Mckinley bill the growers of hemp did not understand tho danger from these substitutes. He asked for duty of s30 per ton on Russian and Italian hemp and $25 per ton on manila, sisal grass and Sjute. He also wished clause placed In the law making it a crime to sell ju.e goods, colored and dyed, as hamp. It was an outrage to allow cheap common jute products to be brought here from abroad and passed on as the genuine Kentucky hemp.
 ReDres ant ia tive VanhOrn of hTfssol1ri