The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-03
TIE GLOVE GRAFT
low Selfish Interests Plotted to increase the Tariff on Wo-
 mems Gloves
LITTAuER PLANS TO WIN

The Man of the Glove Scandal Looks to the Conference Committee to Re- store the Outrageous Increases on Momen's Gloves Stricken Out of the Tariff Bill After the Women's Great protest-WilI the Women Get Tired of Looking Out For Their Interests7- The Tariff Seekers Make False Stats- ments About Wases.
 Ehe attempt of the domestic glove manufacturers, headed by ex-Repre- sentative Littauer, to secure the adop lion of prohibitory tarin rates on wo- mems gloves, is another glaring exam pie of the methods by which our tarin laws are manipulated 50 as to enrich few individuals at the expense of the 67,OOO,OOO consumers of the country. That the House of Representatives should have listened to MT. Lfttauer and In compliance with his wishes adopted tariff schedule greatly in- creasing the duties on women's gloves, Is additional evidence that the selfish interests of a small number of manu- lecturers have moro influence with our national legislators than the wei fare of the people in general.
 The Selfish Effort Not Relaxed.
 While the universal protest by the women of the country against the Payne bill glove duties, forced the Senate Cemmittee on Finance to amend that bill by restoring the pres ent glove schedules, the advocates of hiRher duties are actively at work to secure the substitution of the obnox- lous Payne tariH rates when the amended bin goes into the Conference Committee of the House and Senate. In view of these facts 1t should be of mterest to the people who buy gloves and pay the tariff tax on them, to know something of the methods by which it was sought to secure the ndopdon of tho oppressive duties pro- vided for In the Payne bill. lii<sd High Tariff and Wanted Moro.
 There was, of course, no public de mand for higher glove duties. The Dfneley law rates on women's gloves, averaging 52t per cent, are more than enough to compensate our manu- facturers for the higher cost of labor and Of the leather from which gloves are made. But MT. Littauer had sue ceeded in getting practically prohib- ttory duties on mems gloves inserted in the Dingley law, and the enormous pru6t1 realized by himself and asso- ciates under the shelter of these du- ties only whetted their appetites for more So they planned to secure equally high duties on women's gloves. and began their work of influencing the Representatives, in, Congress by deliberate misrepresentations of the conditions in the glove industry of this and foreign countries. Their claims and assertions would, however, have had no result, were it not as openly charged on the floor of the House, and not denied, that a deal was entered into with MT. Littauer, by which, in return for his efforts to in 1uce ''insurgent" Republican Repre- eentatives to vote for the reelection of 1Gr. Cannon as Speaker, he was to receive as a reward the exorbitnnt duties on women's gloves provided for 1n the Payne bin. The bargain was carried out in so far as the House was concerned, and schedule of glove du- fden adopted which would in some in stances amount to 180 per cent, and which would result in greatly increas- ing the cost of gloves to the consumer, particularly of the cheaper kinds of gloves worn by women of moderate means.
 Tho Women's Effective Protsst.
 When the facts in regard to the pro posed increased duties on women's gloves wea~ made public, storm of protest from the women of the coun- try was directed against congress. Hundreds of: thousands of women wrote or petttioned their Senators and Representatives, protesting against higher glove duties, and this protest has been 50 far effective as to force the Senate to abandon the Payne bill glove schedule.
 Littauer still Persistent.
 But lGr Lattauer is not discouraged He knows that the people soon get tired of protecting their interests, SC he hopes that they will grow indinter ent and that he will have chance to get the high glove duties put back a9aln by the Conference Committee Tho only influence that can prevent such action is the public sentimen which is opposed to paying higher prices for necessary articles of genera consumption. If the people do no want higher prices for gloves, theJ can check MT. Littauer's game by mak ing 1t plain to their Senators and Rep resentatives that they are opposed t any increases in these duties and vii vote against any one who favors them Figures of Wages Officially Disprovsd ! The grounds on which the Commit tee on Ways and Means recommended the increased rates of duty on womeni gloves were, as stated by Chairman Payne of the Committee, the claim O the glove manufacturers that the pro posed higher duties would result il the establishment of an industry fl this country employing 50,000 work ers- In the memorial submitted by tn Glove ManuA cturers' Association tn statement is made that the men em p1oyed in the glove factories in thf