The Washington herald., 1909-04-11
WANTS YARN TARIFF
Thinks 1t Would Start Ramie
Industry in America.
S. H. SLAUGHT INDEFATIGABLE
Writes Letter 20 Serene Payne En-
deavOrfnE to Show Him the In
consistency of Textile Schedules.
Firm Believer in the Doctrine of
Protecting Young Industries.

One OF the indefatigable workers about
the lobbies OF the Capital is Samuel H.
Slaught who has been trying for many
years TO interest Congress in the manu-
facture OF Tamie nber. While Tamie
grows, or would grow. all over the South
ern portion OF the country as easily as
weeds. and while the fiber produced from
the bark upon the stalks OF the plant is
longer. stronger, and better for most
purposes than cotton. the cost Of getting
out the gum from the hber is so great
that the use OF his fiber in cloth or tex
tiles has never been started in this
country.
Ramie is used for making sail cloth,
and there are mills IN foreign countries
that weave it into certain high-priced
fabrics that fnd their way into this eoun-
try. In China and Japan ramie is ex-
tensively cultivated. and the original
pongee silk and China silks are made
from the ramie produced in the Orient.
Wants Duty on Yarns.
Mr.. Slaught insists that the only thing
needed 10 start ramie upon a successful
Industrial career in this country is a
tariff upon certain yarns and fabrics
high enough 10 prevent their importa-
ton. when. with processes that have been
developed, the ramie fiber could be used.
the mills started. and a great Industry
begun which would cheaper many kinds
Of fabrics and make them as common as
calico.
Mr. Slaught Is at present engaged in
trying TO induce the Senate committee TO
put the duty on these yarns and fabrics
which he desires. His ideas on the sub
Icct are set forth in the following letter
sent a few days ago TO Serene Z. Payne.
chairman OF the Ways and Means Com
mittee Of the House Of Representatives
New industries are constantly spring
ing up. Ike the gas mantle manufacture.
and 1 find they are made out OF ramie
threads. less than eighty lea or number.
and that the duty on the numbers they
use IS some 20 or IS per cent, knit or
woven into fabrics. and II treated as man
ties are. only . per cent, while the man
ufactured article pays only 25 per cent.
and the acid or chemical or material il
is filled with. only pays . per cent. so it
really leaves 8 per cent on the two
mixed.
The tariff on the yarns was all right
up 10 eighty lea, but It should commence
at 2 Ocents a yard, or more than 20 per
cent ad valorem. and go on up 10 above
that, TO at least 100 per cent in order to
start the industry in this country; so I
suggest that as you ought to increase the
revenue that you make a general law
covering any goods or mixtures. in that
line, where the goods imported have a
lower rate OF duty, or nearly as low. as
the material imported already manufac-
tured- The tariff on such goods, or ma
terials mixed, should be raised sufficient
ly to encourage the manufacture here in
our own country
There are many other things I notice
in the same fix, so ] think the surest
way Is TO make a law 90 cover all such
cases that may arise, as well as for all
now in existence. This one mantle bust
ness, I think, Is entirely new, since the
Dingley bill was passed. The ramie in
dustry is now entirely at the mercy Of
the foreigner ana the importer in their
interest. as well as In the interest Of the
trickster.
IF we can have the ramie schedule
properly and fairly adjusted we can soon
supply all the yarns. as well as the goods,
and at a much less price than the i'm
ported article is put to Us now. as soon
as thoroughly started. have tried to I'M
press upon you the great Importance OF
this Industry being at least fostered in a
small way"