New-York tribune., 1908-12-20
DOES NOT NEED TARIFF
HARTESTER co.'s STAND.
President MetcaIf Fa0ors Taking
Duty off Farming Implements.
LFrnn The rrfhunn Rureau.I

Washington, Dec. BE D. Metcaf. OF Auburn,
n. Y. president OF the International Harvester
Company. appeared before the Ways and Means
Committee to-day. and, despite close cross-exami-
nation maintained that he not connected with
q trust. and that farm implements were not sold
cheaper abroad than here. Both of these charges
have been frequently made by other manufactur-
ers Of farm implements.
The testimony OF Mr.. Metcaf similar in
many respects TO that of Judge E. H. Gary OF
the United States Steel Corporation. yesterday
Mr Metcalf said that the company which he rep
resented well intrenched in the agricult-
ural implement business that 1t cid not need the
tariff and that It inmaterial to them how the
tariff is changed He did not deny that the Inter
national Harvester Company manufactured over 80
per cent of the harvesters, mowers and reapers
made in this country.
Can you manufacture cheaper than the English,
and French manufacturers asked Representative
CrumpaCker, of Indiana
Il think can from the fact that we can sell
goods in those countries We have improved
methods in all lines OF manufacture IN this country
which benefits Us in the manufacture OF our goods.
You haven't suffered any result of the
tariff steel and iron ore?" inquired Mr. Crum-
packer.
u can't see how the tariff can be held response
bic for the fluctuations in the prices of steel and
iron. It Is due to the demand and supply"
The witness said that the American manu-
factUrers of agricultural implements were Obliged
10 pay the maximum tariff in France, while
British manufacturers enjoyed the benefits Of the
minimum tariff He also said that the export busi-
ness OF the company he represented netted better
prices than the domestic business.
Mr.. MetcaIf disagreed with the testimony Of H
E Miles OF the National Association of Manu-
facturers and with the complaints Of several
manufacturers of agricultural implements, that the
cost Of materials entering into the manufacture Of
their products had increased The witness de-
clared that the prices Of these materials had
steadily decreased.
Representative Crumpacker championed the
cause Of the smaller manufacturers of agricultural
implements, asserting that these small producers
could not compete with the International Har-
vester Company for the foreign business. He said
the amount of their business did not justify their
making Of the drawback provision Of the
tariff
Mr.. Metcaf declared himself in favor Of taking
off the tariff farming implements asserting
that this would open up the American market to
the foreign manufacturers. and the American
manufacturers would thereby increase their export
trade the business being put equal basis.
He made this suggestion with the proviso that II
any foreign country did not give America the
benefit of its lowest tariff duty of 20 per cent
should be imposed on the agricultural implements
from that country
Representative McKinIay. of California fled
communication from grower Of hops declaring
that increase Of 90 per cent in the duty on
hops would reduce the governments revenue
from the importation Of hops.
Representative Mondeu. of Wyoming, speaking
the interest Of the coal mining interests Of
Wyoming, asked that the duty coal lie main
tanned. alleging that the Rocky Mountain miners
could not compete with the Candian coal producers
without reducing wages, If the tariff were reduced
J. Crawford Lyon, Of Baltimore, asked that the
specific duty be taken of IinoIeum and oilcloth.
L B. Pike. of Pike. N H, representing twenty
manufacturers of grinding wheels and braces,
asked that crushed corundum be brought in free.
1t pays duty Of go
". P. Worth of CoatesvIe, Penn, a steel
manufacturer, asked for free scrap iron, the duty
being 81 a He also desired reduction in
the duty iron ore
W. . Duran- OF Flint Mich. asked that the
duty automobiles be reduced from 10 ID % per
cent and that duty OF 10 per cent automobile
parts lie reduced 80 per He asserted that the
demand other manufacturers OF automobiles for
40 per cent duty not for the benefit of Anleri
labor. but because Of 'eNtravasart man
agement and enormous profits" He said that in
s. 400 machine the cost of labor 500 He avoid
ed answering questions concerning the accuracy Of
a statement Of his attorney early in the week that
his company Was going build d plant I'm EuIope-
v. O. Gregg, OF NewbLrg y. Y, asked that the
duty of > per cent on cars and trucks for hauling
cane in ,anefieds imported into the Philippines, be
removed for American manufacturers and increased
10 % per cent for foreigners
Tie timber schedule again under discussion
for short time to-day II. II. Tiff. Of Tifton, Ga,
whc appeared the request OF the committee, said
that of forest reserves by the govern
ment had had the effect Of increasing the price Of
stumpage. He declared that the government re-
..eivod the highest prices for what il sold.
Nr Tiff asked that the lumber schedule be left
undisturbed, saying that the free entry Of lumber
would not tend TO conserve the American forests
and that the consumers probably would get
benefit IN the way Of reduced prices He admitted
that he would be satisfied with the retention Of the
tariff on the low grades Of lumber.
R X McLea. Of New York. argued tor re-
adjustment Of the cotton schedule saying that It
should be simpIifed He declared that If any
changes were made in the Of duty on cotton
goods they should be made gradually