The San Francisco call., 1909-04-06

and means committee regarding hosi-.
cry and gloves. A group of hosiery
manufacturers have asked for 20 per
cent increase over the prevailing go
per cent rate, making a total of so
per cent against foreign goods. This
would exclude all foreign % cent
hosiery and would enable domestic
manufacturers to raise their prices
proportionately
AT 30 cents and so cents the public
would have the option of accepting
an inferior foreign article to that
sold heretofore, or buying an Ameri-
can substitute less desirable. That
the present rate of duty is high enough
to pay liberal wages to the operatives
and a generous profit to the manufac-
turers. is shown by the latest govern
ment census, as follows:
Domestic output SEA 7ss sls s4s. ,ss7 fSsi 100
Imported hosiery S. l62 os5 S4 ole <35 Sc 645 $40
A letter written to the same house by
O'Callaghan & Fedden. large hosiery
firm of New York, openly stated that
the increased duty was for the benefit
OF the Harrington & Waring combina-
tion.
Speaking of the proposed tariff, Mrs.
Ellen G. Sargent, honorary president of
the California Equal Suffrage associa-
ton, said that it was a question which
should be studied by every woman.
The average woman knows nothing
about the tariff, but here is a point
which should be carefully studied and
acted upon by them. If they are
wealthy enough to pay the increased
rate without an effort they should re-
member there are hundreds of their
sisters on whom the increase viii fall
heavily. 1t is hard enough for a work
ing girl to dress respectfully and neatly
as it is. A new pair Of gloves very
often means a great deal of sacrifice.
and If the price is Increased it will
only mean still more. 1 notice that the
expensive gloves and hose are not in
cluded in the additional tariff, so. of
course, 1t will not affect those who are
wealthy.
Question for Women
"This question is primarily one to be
settled by the women of the country,
and as far as the equal suffrage asso-
citation of this state is concerned 1 feel
confdent that it viii be glad to join
the other organized women Of the city
in a protest against the increase"
p. c. Hale, a member Of the firm of
Hale Brothers. declared the matter
should be viewed from a business
standpoint.
These articles" said he, seem to
me to be taxed to the limit already.
The proposed increase Will not alone
work a hardship on a large number of
the people, but also decrease the reve-
nue. OF the country. While I am in
favor of a protective tariff I can not
see where this one will work any good,
except to a few manufacturers The
: increased duty VIII shut out the for
eign article and therefore keep out
the so per cent revenue which the
country now receives from it, On the
other hand it does not affect those most
able to pay, but those to whom every
dollar has TO be carefully and judicious-
ly expended, the great mass of the
people who form the backbone OF the
country. Such are my opinions regard
ing the tariff on hose AS to gloves I
understand that the duty on hides is
to be lowered, and this, believe, ought
to be quite sufficient an incentive for
the manufacturers America. The
tariff on toys will not affect them to
any great extent"
| Mrs. A. Cushing said: Il have written