Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-05-15
SENATORS DEFEND
GLASS INTERESTS
Declare Reduction in Duties Means
Lower Wages for Operatives in
Glass Factories.

Washington, D. c., May 14.-Both
the West Virginia Senators have had
busy week Pottery and glass
schedules were up for consideration in
the Senate and West Virginia has a
decided interest in each. The largest
pottery in the world is in the Pan
Handle and the State has some of the
finest glass plants.
Senator Elkins had a very fierce
running debate, Wednesday, on win
dow glass. Senator Cummins, OF Iowa,
had taken the statement of manufac-
tuTer named w. r. Jones, OF Morgan
town. West Virginia, who wanted
rates reduced The Iowa Senator
overlooked the statements of everyone
else, except this manufacturer, and
proceeded to build his tariff argument
on this foundation. Senotor Elkins
was able to show that Jones is free
trade" Democrat; that he is opposed
to paying large wages to working men
and knows il he would get free trade
these wages would all have to come
down.
Senator Scott had an opportunity to
make one OF the most telling points in
favor Of a tariff yet presented on the
floor o. the Senate. Under the glass
schedules he showed in the Senate
glass pitchers formerly selling to the
jobber for six or eight dollars dozen
now turned out by the manufactures
4 . 10 sxxlNt ~ nj rntx nrtc q
He showed goblets which used to
bring from $3.50 to So dozen, when
there was no protection, now selling
at Is cents dozen to the wholesaler.
This exhibition of glassware and
statement of prices by Mr.. Scott was
most carefully followed by the Sen
ate and he was heartily congratulated
afterwards. Senator Hale, of Maine,
the leader of the Senate by continuous
service and also through ability, has
openly referred to this argument sew
eral times. The day Senator Scott
made this statement Senator Hale adj
dressed the Senate at length along
that line and on Wednesday. the 18th,
said:
Il said yes erday that the wit OF
man can not devise wiser system
of protection against foreign competl-
ton than was disclosed yesterday by
the Junior Senator from West Virginia
(Mr. Scott) when he brought forth the
wares-glaes-tih different mdnufac-
lures that under Republican protec-
ton were manufactured in the estab-
lishments protected by the Republic
can policy of protection. 1t was
revelation TO me--the cheapness-and
vet | know as a protectionist that
that is what protection does--that 1t
builds UP these great hives OF human
industry throughout our whole coun-
try and produces materials for the
,neople at a cheaper rate than could
in any other way be produced. The
presentation by the Senator from West
Virginia of the glass products show
ed the result that under our system
of protection against the foreign man
ufacturer our manufacturers could pro-
duce for the people ct rate which
the article never could be sent TO our
market II we gave way toth;foreign-
err"
All the representatives are now In
Washington. Those who were away
were called back on account of the
philippine tariff bill, which was taken
up Thursday. This is likely to occupy
the attention of the lower House for
several days. "~@~
Among the visitors to the Senate
this week were a number of officials
who were attending United States
Court at Martinsburg.