The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-12-02

fibrous vegetable substances are free of
duty when not dressed or manufac-
tured in any manner, but there is no
provision for such substances when
In the intermediate stage of being
dressed or subjected to other manufae-
turing process.
Silk and silk goods were taken up
first, F. w. Chimney of Manchester,
Conn, president of the Silk Association
of America, said that the importers
and manufacturers were trying to agree
upon a schedule of duties on silk goods
which they intend to present to the
committee. B. A. Leavitt, on behalf
of the ribbon manufacturers of New
York, asked that higher duties be i'm
posed on ribbons MUven in the fabric.
He said If the increase was not granted
the ribbon manufacturers would have
to go out of business.
A specific duty instead of the present
valorem duty was asked on silk gloves
by julius Kayser of New York, on artf-
fetal silk by Charles A. Emot of Ran
dolph Pa, and on silk velvet by
Charles Blumenthal of Shelton, Conn.
Representative Frank Clark of Flor
ida was first to be heard on cotton.
He argued for a protective duty on
Egyptian, West indian and other long
staple cotton. He gave the views OF
the sea island cotton growers and
suggested that tariff commission
should have charge of the tariff.
"I submit Mr.. Chairman" said Mr..
Clark, without in any wise discussing
or even infringing on the relative virtues
of a protective tariff and tariff for
revenue, with recent election and other
elections preceding it, have established, as
part of our system of government the
indirect scheme Of taxation; the levy and
1trfi
imported into this country from foreign
lands This being true this matter ought
to be removed from the domain of parti-
san politics and hereafter treated as a
business proposition and a commission,
or other proper tribunal created to deal
with it,
Several Florida and Georgia cotton
growers asked for duty of 10 cents
pound on long staple cotton. Representa-
tive W. B. Lamar of Florida spoke for
protection for the Sea Island cotton in
dustry.
F. f. Lippett of Providence, R. l., rep
resenting the American Cotton Manufact-
urers' association, asked that the duty
on cotton cloth be retained. He said
there exists free competition in the cot
ton trade, there being no combination or
trust. He gave information regarding the
cost of production.
1.-THE cotton industry is practically an
infant industry at this time" said Sam
uel Ross of New Bedford, Mass, secre-
tary of the International Association OF
Mule Spinners.
1.-The manufacture of the cheaper class
of fabrics in the south is an infant in
dustry, while the manufacture of high
grade goods in the north is an infant
industry"
Albert Hilbert, secretary of the United
Textile Workers of America, asked that
IT. foe ha loft
unchanged. He said that the productive
power of operators in America is much
greater than in England or Germany.
d. A. Tompkins of Charlotte, N. c.,
representing the American Cotton Man
ufacturers' association asked for an in.
crease in the duties on the higher grades
Of yarn.
He described to the committee the COM
mercial education and social development
of the south. Representative Underwood
of Alabama brought out these remarks
by a series of questions and frequently af-
firmed the statements of the witness.
Discussing the tariff situation Mr.
Tompkins said he believed so per cent of
the people favored a tariff that would
protect American industries. Free
traders are mere theorists and If the
government was turned over to them
they could not run it," said Mr.. Tompkins
And if you were to turn the government
over to the standpatters you wouldn't
have any government"
| do you still say Amen" inquired
| Chairman Payne of Mr. Underwood
George j. Martin, manufacturer of
| lace curtains at West Newton, Mass,
| asked for a reduction in the duties on
| netting. John T. Patterson Of North
| Carolina asked that the duty n bleached
| and color cotton damask be retained. and
that the tariff on mercerized cotton da-
mask be increased from 40 to 90 per
cent.