The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-03
DUTY ON FLdX md HEMP.
One Plant Has Been Removed To Japan "a
Utilize Cheap Labor and Coal.

Utilize Cheap Labor and Coal.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2.-To-day 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 Manufacturer.
There was present a large attendance
OF persons Interested in these indus
tries.
MIR. RUTHERFORD'S PLEA.
The first member to be heard was Mr..
VIM Rutherford. Of Oakland, Cali
fornia. who said that in California they
were engaged I'm making tWine, yarn
and clothing OF a great many NdIlc-
ties. The first OF these mills was sldl t.
ed there about thirty years ago, ana
within that time the business had IN
creased largely. They now wanted rea-
sonable protection TO run their InlilS'
and he suggested such changes IN the
tariff as were considered necessary ioi
the purpose
me manufacturers OF California, ne
said i'm the last election had given thor
votes for protection. thinking ms Inc
quickest way TO give employment lui
the idle. protection Tor themselves, ana
revenue for the Government. Inc
mills OF the United States had been ac-
tive in keeping down the price or THESE
goods TO the farmers. Up 10 the pas
sage Of the Wilson bill far duty had
been given the industry. The measure
benefited tho mills Of Calcutta ana
other foreign countries az tho expense
OF the domestic manufacturers. Between
1913 and 1895. the imports OF lutte ana
hurlaps more than doubled. Under inc
clause IN the free list. admiE-ns cot
ton bagging and certain go~-- made or
burlaps importers were bringing IN
cloths Of various kinds. including horse
nd tat nor
the intent OF the act, but the words
"All such material" used in the act en-
ablcd tho goods 10 Doe brought in. The
makers OF mixed 1utc and cotton goods
suffered from this. He had called me
attention of the customs officials TO IL
and he understood that they now had
the matter under consideration.
one OF the oldest plants iu the United
States established at Black Point Cal
ifornia. during the war. had been Ia
He had been advised TO trans
fer his plant 20 lOkohoma. be-
ing able 20 get his labor for
Fix 10 twelve cents per day. and his
coal for about ninety cents per ton. But
he had found that foreigners could not
hold property I'm japan, and. therefore.
he had 10 give up that idea.
The summing UP Of Mr.. Rutherford's
statement was the suggestion Of the fol-
lowing rates I'm the new tariff:
hemp. or Of which flax. jute or hemp or
either OF them. shall be the component
material OF chief value except OF such
may be acceptable for cotton. ! 81 cents
per pound. Bags FOR grain. made OF
burlaps, two cents per pound"
Mr. Crawford Lyon of Baltimore was
the next speaker. Iio began by charac-
terizing the last witness as a misleadcr
and alarmiSt. and he cOntradicted state
ment OF Mr.. Ruthcrford's as 70 the adj
mission Of jute fabrics free OF duty. The
interest In which he himself appeared
was that OF oil cloth and linolcum In
the course OF Mr.. Lyons statement. he
made a remark as TO manufacturers OF
oil cloth I'm Baltimore becoming presidents
or principals OF banks.
A LITTLE SPAT.
Mr.. CrosNenor asked what Mr.. LYONS
meant 20 imply by that remark
Mr.. Lyons said that he preferred 20 20
on with his statement and be Intercepted
afterwards.
This suggestion was resented by several
members OF the committee and Mr.. Gros-
venor added:
Suppose insist on having my question
answered now? Tell the c@.-rnittee what
you mean to imply by saying that GER