Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-29
TARIFF DISCUSSION ON
HIDES MAY RESULT IN
BEEF TRUST INQUIRY

WASHINGTON, NOV. Zo.-N men To-
days hearings before the house ways
and means committee for the consid-
Grafton of the tariff schedules cover
ing sundries began it was expected II
would develop the most radical tariff
reduction testimony that has yet been
presented at the hearings. This attl-
tude was expected to be assumed more
particularly with regard to leather and
hides, coal, agricultural implements and
works of art.
The sundries schedule is of greater
general interest than any other of the
tariff.
Shoe and leather manufacturers from
every part of the United States were
scheduled to appear before the commit
tee today to make strong hght 10
have hides again placed on the Tree
list
The Republican members of the COM
mittee are said to look favorably upon
a reduction in the duty on hides, espe-
cially as it has been the policy of the
Roosevelt administration to take every
possible means to increase the trade re-
iations between the United States ana
South America, whence most or the
hides are imported.
viii Probe Beef Trust
Representative Champ Clark OF Mis-
souri and the other Democratic mem
hers of the committee probably Will
seize the opportunity to probe the SO
called "beef trust" and testimony III
this connection will prove 1nterestllls'
as those who favor free entry OF hldes
contend the large packers are the only
ones who derive any benefit from the
nresent 10 per cent ad valorem duty on
hides. They claim the farmer, VINO is
supposed to be protected by the present
duty. does not get any benefit from the
tariff because the packers fix their own
prices for the animals they purchase
from the farmers -4. g.,
There also will be many requests Tor
free entry of coal
Educational and art institutions
throughout the country have urged the
committee to recommend faVofaply the
niacing of works of art on the free
| list The tariff for revenue" members
| of the committee will argue against
such action, and the arguments IN favor
| of such legislation will prove interest
! mo in view of Andrew Carnegie's re-
! cent remarks regarding the free admis-
! sion of articles used by the rlch.
THOSE favoring the free entry OF
works of art claim that it would be III
! fine interest of education to encourage
the Importation of art objects.
The tanners started the contest III
lively fashion today by asking the com
| mlJIGe TO 1GSLOlE iAN'Ne ~ i
Fred Vogel, IT., of Milwaukee declared
| fine tariff of Is per cent on cattle hldes
| did not protect stock raisers, and auueVl
! that the domestic consumption of hldes
| and skins was inadequate ana was e flo'
| Increased or stimulated by the tarli'
When David p. Leas, Fn do1 p PLiae :
manufacturer of leather, stated thtt
| The chicago packers had monopoly
IN hides to which every man, woman
| and child paid tribute, Representative
Bouteil suggested the way to break up
that monopoly was to put not oIily
| hides but shoes on the free llst'
| "Tf necessary, we tanners are Wiling
| 60 have shoes on the free list" added
| Mr. Leas. ~ we
u.4II ba Getting together" interrupted
Representative Clark
Would Put Hides on Free List
There was so much applause over
suggestion by Elisha Cobb of BostoI'
| +o Mace hides on the free list that
! Chairman Payne four" difficulty III
| maintaining order. I'M, A.
Chairman Payne made public the
following telegram from A. p. Little q
Co., shoe manufacturers oI Lynn
Ni @Xs probably the largest manufac-
tuners of women's fine shoes In the
world. we desire to go on record as
declaring the present tariff on such
| ehoee as we manufacture is wholly un-
necessary to our state and a distinct
Injustice Injustice to the consuming public. We
fayor the complete abolition Of this
tariff IN welcoming the competition OF
tbs world We should be glad, at the
convenience of the ways and means ms.
| committee. to present arguments Tor
tbe removal of the duty on boots and
shoes like those of our own manufac-
ture"