The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-20
HEARING ON TARIFF
RICE GROWERS BEFORE THE COM
 MITTEE.
NIT. Breaux Declares Farmers of Louisi- ana Favor Protective Policy Porto Rican Delegate Ar-
 wuea for Coffee.

MT. Breaux Declares Farmers of Louist-
 ana Favor Protective Policy Porto Rican Delegate Ar-
 Kues fer Coffee.
 Washington. May 19.--Rice was one of the principal articles discussed at today's hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on the Tariff Schedule.
 Locke Rreaux, President of the Rice Association of America. said that the destruction of the rice industry in this country would result from a lower duty than is provided by the present tariff.
 Where, twenty years ago were cattle ranges and open prairie lands" said Mir. sBreaux, What was then a wild and Andeveloped territory, is today a section of farms cities and manufac- turing enterprises. all of which have come about through the development of the rice industry. There is an ag- gregate investment due entirely to rice. of S200. 900. 900.
 'We contend that in case of an in- dustry so vast as this and contribut- ing so largely to the material welfare of all sections of the country, to ask the American agricuiturtsts to put their industry on a basis where they will have to compete with the rice of AsIatic countries, is to bring about annihilation of the industry" Representative Boutelle asked if the people of Louisiana were not in favor of a protective tariff.
 Commercially but not politically" replied MT Breaux, although on fur ther questioning. he said that the farm. CTS have favored protection for years
 Representative Pou of North Caro- lima, another State raising rice, wanted to know if the Louisiana growers do not endeavor to shut out competition in price. MT. Breaux denied this.
 D nf said that he wanted the duty on brew CTS rice increased IA cent a pound. He represented the Texas millers view point, he said. That three-fourths of the Nutrition Is taken from the rice to make 1t pleasing to the American eye. is one of the assertions he made.
 Herman Klaber of Portland. Ore, and E. c. Horst of San Francisco. rep resenting $500 hop growers. asked for a duty of 24 cents 6 pound, claim ing that the hop industry is on its last legs"
 Representatives of salt manufactur- CTS asked that the present duty on salt be maintained.
 H. c. Newcombe of Philadelphia, gave the committee information which he believed argued for reduction of cents a gallon on the duty on olives.
 William O. Johnson Of California asked that the duty on olives be doubled.
 Louis J. ScaramelIi, representing the Italian Chamber Of Commerce of New York. was present to give the com mittee information on maccaronI. He said the duty should be Kept as 1t Is. He also took up the duty on rice, say ing that 1 1-2 cents a pound should be imposed instead of cents.
 You say you cannot Sell any other Eice in place of Italian rice to your cuatOmarR2" aaExad RAnraaanfaffva Griggs of Georgia.
 No, cannot" replied the Italian importer.
 well. then. they will pay you any price" added Mir. Griggs. amid gem eral laughter.
 sioner to the House of Representatives from Porto Rico, argued for a duty of cents on coffee, whIch, he said, was the principal crop of the island.
 Tt is the poor mans crop" he said Under the protective tariff, the sugar and tobacco industries of Porto Rico have increased rapidly. Coffee is not protected and its production has fallen off to 35,000,000 pounds. The coffee planter has always been in the hope of getting protection from the Govern ment and he has been raising 1t at a loss. Many farmers who, up to a few years ago. could live comfortably. are now practically no more than peons working for 30 cents a day.
 The people of the United States are not having the benefit of free coffee. At the time coffee was put on the free list, Brazil put an export duty on the coffee bean, which the American con sumer has been paying"
 In the case of tea, it was argued that the proposed maximum and minimum tarin would secure fair play.
 The committee was asked to place an ad vaIorem duty on nuts instead of @ specific rate.
 A specific rate for chocolate was asked for.
 The committee was in session until 8 o'clock tonight.