New-York tribune., 1908-11-10
TO DISCUSS TARIFF
BEGIN TO-DAI +.
Ways and Means Committee WM
Hear Both Sides.
From IN. Tribune Bureau ]

I
have passed. There will be submitted 10 1ne 80
mittee on Ways and Means information resaruliis
tha condition OF the various Industries Oh ule e0S
try and the rates necessary TO furnish "nd' ~
Republican party has declared for aoeuuA P
lection to domestic industries, in order 10 pay INC
highest nosstble wages and secure to investments
in these industries reasonable proht. IN aui'io"
to this complex question, there Is the o'"oi o''
OF necessary revenue to which the congress co,i
mttee must give careful consideration because 'H9
volume of revenues is affected to the oisao'a"'e
oe tho country ~ rates of customs duties are TOO
high too low. w..
practically the entire membership of the ways
and Means Committee will be present at the hrS'
hearing Serene E Payne, chairman Oh tne CUM
mttee, said to-day that with the exception Oh lN0
or three Democrats a full attendance WAS eA-
pected. The majority OF those expecteo 10 ~pp
to discuss chemicals, oils and paints are NC" -
manufacturers representing the largest concerns
in the country The West seems to take H'''o ~
tersst in the duties to be discussed tomorrow @
no representatives of that section VIII appeo
the hearings The New York nrIns VINO aie
rected 20 have representatives here are 'Ie i,
Manufacturer National Assocfatioh' repi St
hv n p Arnold: the Poessier & Hasslacher Chei"'
cal Company represented by F. w BrooSs' "a
Moses Sons & Co. represented py ~ " -o
Heller & Merz Company. represented oS -.
Merz; Iehn & Fink, represented by Aipei' 80 ~
Sennet-Solvay Company, of SYRACUSE Niy -,
n5a1ufacturers' Company, of Brooklyn, represented
bv Arthur somers, ana the New Jersey zinc Ooih-
pany represented by II. s. Wardner. -
Mr Pavne has announced that the hearings VIII
be open 10 the public and that 1t will De the OBJECT
NJ the committee to hear all sides OF every aues-
tion ps srticuIarly where manufacturers, consumers
and laborers appear to entertain different views.
The proposed revision was discussed at a CONFER
ence to-day of Representatives Payne Daizeh' OF
PENNSYLVANIA; HILL Of Connecticut, and Games OF
West Virginia leading Republican members OF the
Committee on Ways and Means. The conference
was preliminary the hearings. Mr. Gaines diS-
cussed tariff revision with Mr. Taft at Hot Springs
Yesterday and it is understood that Mr. Taft urged
that the committee take such action as was peuseo
by the Republican platform.
II is the announced policy Of Chairman Payne 10
frame maximum and minimum tariff TO De CHI
ployed not only for producing revenues out 10 e
courage trade with foreign countries Th1s win 20
new departure in tariff legislation for the Chiteo
States but II follows lines already adopted by the
leading industrial nations of Europe IL VIII Dc
necessary provide two scales OF rates In e O'l'
and this will produce numerous coInpilcaIlchs dS
will also the proposed changes in the laws covering
the administration of the customs. and changes IN
the law relating TO the payment OF dra"odcAs oii
imported materials
THE CHEMICALS SCHEDULE.
In regard to the chemicals schedule there aFe
certain to be interesting disclosures and many de-
mands on the part of manufacturers FOR increases
Of rates This proposition will be comoateu oS
those who are desirous Of increasing trade oet"eeh
the United States and Germany. because Germany
Is a large exporter OF chemicals TO thls country
The latest available statistics show that ABOUT
$50 900 900 worth of chemicals is imported ootn
free and dutiable. This represents an increase OF
about so 600 coo worth in the last FIVE years DUTIES
are levied on imports to the total value OF ABOUT
S32 900 900 worth. Since the present tar1n law was
made in 1891 the volume of dutiable chemicals I'M
ported has more than doubled, as have also the
imports of chemicals admitted free OF duty AT the
same time there has been an increase OF ABOUT
$40 900 900 worth in American exports of chemicals
According TO the last government figures Viz
900 COO is invested chemical manufacturing in this
country and the industry shows an increase OF
$50 900 in capital invested and about SDGoOOn IN
the value cf the annual product. In the fve-year
period the number of employees in chemical plants
increased 5000 and the aggregate wages paid in
creased about S4O00,0OO The average ad valorem
rate of duty imported chemicals is at present 30
per cent. 1t IS per cent under the Wilson law.
In the spirits. wines and tobacco schedules are
covered articles generally classified as lusuries
The United States imports about 81 Ooo0O worth or
wines and spirits each year. and there has been
comparatively little increase in the last ten years
About s5OO0O00 is invested in distilled liquor in
dustries in the country gain in five years of
about SIS OO0O0O The number of employees IN that
period increased about 1900, and the aggregate
wages increased about 10000. American wine
manufactures represent investment of 1000 600,
an increase in five years of tScO0oo. There was an
increase during years CT go employees in these
plants and $50oOOOO increase in total wages paid.
The average ad valorem rate of duty in the spirit
increased to 6s per cent in the present
law.
THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY.
The industry of manufacturing smoking and
chewing tobacco in this country represents invested
capital of S17s 900 CO., In five years covered by the
government statistics the aggregate investments
to the figure quoted from $4,000 900. there
was increase of S15,0O0O00 in the aggregate
nuaI product. This manufacture of tobacco is one
of the few industries in the country that a
suit Of consolidation and so-called trust manipu-
laton" have brought about remarkable Increase
in invested capital and large increase in output.
with diminution of 81 10000 year in annual
wages paid and Il falling OF of than six
thousand IN the number of employees. In the manu-
facture of cigars and cigarettes S45.Oo0000 is
vested. which represents doubling OF the capital
in the fve-year period. The aggregate product is
worth more than 100000 annually, an increase
from 1853 coo. and the wages paid amount to
$55 900 900, increase of S15O00.O00 There an
increase OF 30 900 in the number OF employees
Rates OF duty on imported tobacco. manufactured
and manufactured very high. The average
ad valorem rate under the Wilson law was 100 per
cent 1t increased to 129 per cent In the pres
ent law. The average ad vaorem rate on leaf
tobacco under the Wilson law was 124 per cent: it
increased 10 153 per cent. The rate on cigars
122 per cent; it increased to 152 per cent
The rate cigarettes imported under the Wilson
law was 1873 per cent; the present rate is 147 per
cent.
Facts in line with the foregoing covering all the
details Of domestic industries and foreign and do
nestle production, Of wages. cost OF trans
portation, etc. Will be considered by the Com
mittee Ways and Means. covering the varied in
dustries affected by the tariff schedules.
WANT JUTE BAG TARIFF REDUCED.
New Orleans Nov. 9.-The New Orleans Cotton
Exchange passed resolutions to-day calling Con-