New-York tribune., 1908-12-04
REPLY TO CHAMP CLARK
WHITM4N IN DEFENCE.
Tells Worsted Men He Was Sick
U1ken Dingiey Bill Was Framed.

The American Association of Woollen and Worsted
Manufacturers held its second annual dinner at
the wadorf-Astoria last night, two hundred and
fifty members being present. Among the guests at
the presidents table William Whitman. presi-
dent Of the National Associs Of Woollen Manu-
facturers. who appeared Wednesday before the
WAYS and Means Committee OF the House in
Washington on revision Of the tariff schedules on
L represented before the Ways and Means Com
mttee in Washington yesterday" said Mr.. Whit
the National Association. Of which / am
president. your own association and the Manufact-
urers' Club of Philadelphia II has been said that
through my personal instrumentslity I obtained
certain concessions in the Dingley tariff law re-
bounding my personal advantage. and through
corrupt means. But let me tell you that during
the consideration Of the Dnsley Law in Congress
I i'll in bed. and the father Of your president
Charles Fletcher did the work in our behalf which
would naturally have fallen TO my lot.
Il believe that the present Ways and Means
Committee is undertaking more thorough over
hauling Of the tariff than ever before attempt
the history of this country. and that ii is the
honest intent of this committee go every
schedule with care, but with no intent to cripple
any industry
AT this point manufacturer at side table Of
fered bet Of his colleagues s2h0 to 800 that
the tariff schedule wool;en tops would not be
changed. This is the schedule which Represent
ative Champ Clark, at the tariff hearing Wednes-
day implied had been incorporated in the Dingley
=" AAEUuSH Ie HlIlueHCS VI q ~ H. -NOi Sii' oN
present Director Of the Census, working in the in
terest Of Mr.. Whitman
The first speaker James E. Fletcher, presi-
dent of the association. Mr.. Fletcher after speak
ing Of the aims and policies Of the association also
touched upon the tariff He appiauded when
he said that he believed the present schedules on
voollens would not be changed, and also when he
referred to the fortunate election OF Mr.. Taft"
He said
There is, believe. little prospect Of radical al
hoped that no attempt viii be made in this direc-
ton. since the present tariff bill is as equitable
has now adapted itself to its methods and sched-
ules and il would be. in my Judgment. i'll advised
the current values of commodities but which would
in consequence lead to q liquidation of merchandise
greatly reduced prices.
Lei US for moment consider what our position
the recent monetary condition. The theory of this
act was that imports would be so enormously m
creased thereby that consequent expansion OF
revenue would result. In reality, however, II IN
creased imports to such an extent tha6 0s
was deficit in our national treasury Under the
dollars was ped up. and a large proportion of this
sum was deposited in the banks for the use OF our
people during the recent period of stringency-
Controller Metz was a guest of the association,
as the head Of H. NJ. Metz & Co., his dye house.
His speech was confined almost entirely to the
history of the dye industry and the need Of CO.
operation between the manufacturers OF dyestuhs,
OF woollens and of clothing At the beginning
however ne IelerIec 10 tIlhiS anu
of his official position as Controller, saying; Il
have got enough. 1t will be back 20 the simple
dyestuf for mine after this year"
Marcus NJ. Marks. president Of the National AS
sociation of CIothiers. spoke the general sub
ject Of cooperation between the manufacturers of
woolIens and those OF clothing. Other speakers
were John P Wood. the postmaster; Congressman
Adm P. Capron, Of Rhode Island, and Abram l.
Elkus.
At the meeting o. the association yesterday
James E. Fletcher, John P Wood chairman; Ed
ward Moir. Charles Porter. jr.. and H. NJ. Steel
were appointed a committee appear before the
House Committee Ways and Means in opposi-
ton TO any radical revision of the tariff.