The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-19
HIGHER TARIFF
Is Indicated by Hearings Before
the Committee.
those Appearing Generally Fav-
or an Increased Duty.
OTHER SIDE SILENT.
California and Florida Fruit
Growers Are Insistent.
Many Articles Likely to Be Add.
ed to Dutiable List.

| Washington Nov. 19.-In the prepar-
alton of new tariff bill to be pre-
| sented at a special session of congress
| next March numerous changes in the
schedule covering agricultural products
| ana provisions will have to be consid-
ered by the ways and means committee
| or the house. The principal article
ABOUT Which there is a contention for a
change in the duty appears to be citrus
fruits, oranges, lemons and grape fruit
After hearing arguments from the
Florida and California citrus fruit
growers, all urging high protective
duty on those fruits, Champ Clark. the
most active questioner on the Demo-
cratic or duty for revenue side of the
committee, asked one of the witnesses:
When are you fellows going to stand
on your feet and have your trade self
supporting without the perpetual pro-
lection of the tariff"
When the Democratic party gets in
power, and labor is reduced to 25 cents
per day" was the sharp rejoinder.
The Florida fruit growers claimed
that their principal competition is from
Cuba. J. G. Case of Jacksonville
claimed that the ad valorem rate of
duty of % per cent on oranges is made
up by the lower freight rates from
Cuba to New York than from Florida
to New York. Tapioco-starch will be
affected by the changes in the specific
requirements of the tariff that have
been suggested. Senator Hale of Maine
made the claim that when the Dingley
bill was made, by inattention tapioca
starch was not specially provided for
and it was left on the free list
Mr.. Payne. chairman of the commit
tee, told Senator Hale that a change in
the wording of the law has been sug-
gested so that upon all preparations
used for starching, sizing or filling will
be levied the same duty as is imposed
on starch. He also said that the para
graph making this proposition was cut
out of the Dingley bill by the senate
committee after the bill passed the
house. which assertion caused general
laughter as Senator Hale is now
member of the senate committee which
will consider the tariff
Buckwheat flour, biscuits, bread,
waters and similar articles; semolina,
by-product of wheat flour, refined or
improved wool grease; and truffies
are to be specifically provided for in
the new tariff bill
When the hearing before the committee
was resumed today Tulio Larrinaga, resi-
spoke principally with regard to coffee,
but olives and rice were the principal ar
The Louisiana rice industry was well
represented. The paragraph of the pres
per pound on rice. flour meal and broken
meal which will pass through a sieve,
known commercially as No II sieve hay
ing caused some contention because it is
claimed that sieves of varying sizes are
known No. 12.'' it is proposed to amend
the present law so that the sieve will be
prescribed by the secretary of the treas
ury.
Rice culture was begun in this country
over two hundred years ago in South
Carolina In Louisiana. prior to the civil
war. the annual rice output averaged one
million pounds. From 1895 to 1900 the
states annual production was over one
hundred million pounds. In 1907 there
were IA establishments with an invested
capital of over SS.O00,000 engaged in the
cleaning and polishing of rice, of which
fortv-three Were in Louisiana. The ex-
2443.OOS pounds and the importations
amounted to nearly 2O0.O00,000 pounds,
most of which came from Japan and the
Chinese emDire. The ways and means
committees private room. adjoining the
committee room is assuming the appear
ance of an exhibition hall. Several crates