Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-11-28
employees TURNED OUT TO s1ARVE
Manufacturer Favoring Reduction Of
Duty on Pig iron, Arraigns Presi-
dsrt and Accuses Him Of Partially
to Steel Ccrporaticn-Tin Workers
Ask FOR Standpat Rates.
(Ry Associated Press.)

Re, resrnIa.ives OF labor appeared
before the ways and means committee
of the House of Representatives yes
tcr;,ay to advocate the maintenance
OF the present duty on tin.
John Williams, an official Of he
Amalsamated Association of Iron,
Steel and Tin Workers asked that
the duty on tin plates be maintained
and that the system OF drawback on
exported tin manufactured be abolish
ed.
The reduction Of the duty. he said.
would demoralize the American indus
try.
Chairman Payne read a letter under
the Sc al of the United Sons OF Vulcan
of Pittsburg protesting against Will
liams appearing before the commit
tee to represent the tin workers. CIV
ing as reason for the opposition to
Williams the fact that he had advo-
Gated Bryan's election. This led Mr..
Williams to denounce the resolution.
But are you in the employ OF
manufacturers asked Mr.. Payne.
Positively not, sir was the re-
ply.
Radical Reform Urged.
Tariff reform so radical as to ex-
coed that urged by the Democrats
was advocated by Jesse F. Orion. OF
the New York Tariff Reform Club.
When Nelson Lyon, secretary-treas-
urer of company manufacturing
wire articles at Tarrytown. N. T.,
took the stand to ask for revision
of the tariff on pig iron, Representa-
tive Griggs. OF Georgia. inquired.
Are you making any money!"
"A little. not much
He claimed that If the entire tariff
had been revised from pig iron down
during the last year the American
manufacturers would have received
sl53 900 more than they received for
the production in 1906. In that year
he said a prof. was made. for the
steel trust does not produce unless
1t produces at profit.
Roast for Roosevelt.
In an attack on "steet trust" Mr..
Lyon said that during the panic last
fall, "our great and good President
Roosevelt, who rules our land IN
righteousness, allowed the steel trust
to turn 20 per cent OF their employees
out 10 starve.
He said the President encouraged
this corporation to absorb its COM
petitors. the Tennessee Coal & Iron
Company.
We are also told continued MI.
1ycn. that President Roosevelt
promised this trust immunity from
prosecution: go they came ont boldly
and told US they would not reduce
their prices Of production.
why our great President Is fol-
lowing the Standard Oil Company 10
prevent its selling oil a few cents
cheaper than its competitors and lets
the steel trust go scot free whiie
stealing from the public through the
robhcr tariff from one to two hundred
million dollars a year. is Eeyonj my
comprehension"
Payne Resents Criticism.
we are fully aware that the bill
rcportcd from the committee will be
Judged nv the people. not in the light
ar view Of those wise prophets or
critics who arc judging II in advance.
but in the light Of what will be learn
cd from the bill Itself and from an
examinai ion Of the material before
the committee"
In these words Serene Payne.
chairman Of the House ways and
means committee Today replied TO the
letter from ]. W. Van Cleave. presi'
dent OF the National Association OF
Manufacturers. declining to appear ,
before the committee and AMI crit
cisins the methods being pursued IN
revising the tariff.
Invitation Holds Good.
OF course II you have no informa- .
,icn a, your disposal which would ala
the committee In the formation OF
hill I can understand your refusal
TO appear II you have such informa-