The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-12-02
SOUTHERN MEN BEFORE THE CoM-
 MITTEE.
Mfr. Clark of Florida Appeals For Protective Duty On Foreign Pro- duct--Mr. Payne Twits Mir.
 Underwood.


 on the proposed tariff revision formed one of the most important of the en- tire series held by the house ways and means committee.
 Cotton manufacturers and silks and silk goods were the two important schedules taken up.
 In past tariff hearings these sub jects have proven to be among those of greatest interest and delegations Of manufacturers from cotton manufae- turing centers were on hand to present their views to the committee
 Cotton cloth. hosiery and silk manu- lecturers were among the articles which attracted especial attention.
 Representative Frank Clark, of Florida, was first to be heard on cnt- ton. 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 8 tariff commission should have charge of the tarifG.
 T submit, Mir. Chairman" said Mir. Clark, without in any wise discuss ing or even infringing on the relative virtues of a protective tariff and tar- If for revenue. that the recent elee- ton and other elections preceding 1t. have forever established. as a part of
 
 rect scheme of taxation; the levy and collection of customs duties on artt- eles imported into this country from foreign lands This being true, this matter ought to be removed from the domain of partisan policies and here after treated as' business propost- tion, and a commission, or other prop CT tribunal created to deal with it.
 Several Florida and Georgia cotton growers asked for a duty of ten cents a pound on long staple cotton.
 Representative W. B. Labor of Flor ida. spoke for protection for the sea island cotton industry.
 F. E. Lippett, of Providence, R. l., representing the American Cotton Manufacturers Association. asked that the duty on cotton cloth be retained. He said there exists free competition in the cotton trade, there being no combination or trust. He gave tnfor- nation regarding cost of production. 'sThe cotton industry is practically an infant industry at this time," said Samuel Ross of New Bedford, Mass, Secretary of the International Associa- ton of Mule Spinners The manufac- ture of the cheaper class of fabric in the South Is an infant industry while the manufacture of high grade goods in the North is an infant industry.
 Albert Hilbert, Secretary of the Tex tile Workers of America, asked that the tariff on cotton manufacturs remain as at present. He said the productive power of operators in America is much greater than in England or Germany. D. A. Thompkins of Charlotte, N. C., representing the American Cotton Man ufacturers' Association, asked for an increase in the duties on the higher grades of yarns. He described to the committee the commercial education and social development of the South.
 Representative Underwood of Ala bama, brought out these remarks by series of questions and frequently af- frmed the statements of the witnesses.
 Discussing the tariff situation, Mir. Tomplins said he believed 80 per cent of the people favored a tarin 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 Mir. Thompkins. And if you were to turn the Government over to the stand patters you would not have any gov ernment."
 "Do you stiu say 'AmenT inquired Chairman Payne of MT. Underwood.
 R. J. Miller of Charlotte, N. C., and G. Minor Weld of Boston. Mass, {, asked for increase in the rates in the finer grades of cotton yarns.
 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 on bleach ed and colored cotton damask .be re- tained and that the tariff on mercerised cotton damak be increased from 40 to 50 per cent.
 Large delegations of manufacturers are expected from the various cotton manufa curing centres tomorrow to present their views to the committee.