The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-03-25
REVISED TARIFF WELCOMED
BY CANTON MANUFACTURERS
Numerous Interviews Fail to Find Any Dissatis-
faction Over Contemplated Action of Congress
Local Iron and Steel Industries Endorse the
Pavne Bill

While no one had supposed that the
new Payne bill, revising the tariff,
was being made to order" for Canton
merchants and manufacturers, never
the less interviews secured by the
News" yesterday, seemed to indicate
that it was a very "close fit." Had
careful measurement of the local sit
uation been taken by the tariff COM
mittee before preparing the bill, the
result of their efforts to adjust the
schedule of duties could not have been
more satisfactory. The tendency al
most everywhere was to favor he pro-
posed revision, although in some cases
Indifference was expressed burt no
where was the News" able to find
anyone who would give an expression
of dissatisfaction over the contemplat-
ed action by congress.
IRON AND STEEL.
Heads of local iron and steel indus
tries we're unit in endorsing the
Payne bill They were well pleased
with the proposed reduction of the tax
on pig iron and the placing Of iron
ore on the free list. The decreased
duty on steel rails, tin plates, charcoal
iron, sheet steel, wire, and steel in
gots will have but little effect local
ly, by reason of the heavy freight
rates from the Atlantic seaboard to
the west.
A. T. Enlow, manager of the Ber-
ger company, said: During the day
we have received numerous kilograms
from concerns throughout the country
requesting us to send protests to our
congressman against the passage OF
the Payne law. We gave not the
slightest heed to these messages, in
fact, it will be the policy Of the Ber-
ger company to maintain neutral
standing upon the question. Our busi-
ness will be little affected by the
changes. The most marked agitation
against the bill is being caused by
some Of the larger interests along the
Atlantic seaboard, or by smaller man
ufacturers who don't seem to know
what they are bowling about.
"The chief opponent of the bill is
the United States Steel corporation,
who II 1t got the chance would run
the price of pig iron up to $25. They
don't want to maintain moderate
prices and consequently they disfavor
the reduction on steel and iron.
Local manufacturers will updoubt-
edly be greatly benefited by the de-
creased tariff on pig iron. No pig
iron is manufactured in Canton but
great quantities are consumed. The
placing of iron ore on the free list is
also to be looked upon with favor, To-
cally.
Alexander B. Clark, president of the
Canton Art Metal company, and secre-
tary of the Carnahan Tin Plate and
Sheet company, said: mo harm will
be doneby the new tariff as 1t applies
10 local industries We suggested a
reduction of the duty on sheets for
reason that we believed lower prices
would open the market. Tin plate
and charcoal iron prices will be little
affected locally by the change. Can
ton manufacturers are fortunate in
having their best markets located in
the west, for the prevailing high
freight rates from the coast make 1t
impossible to secure iron and steel
products at any material rebate"
LUMBER.
Lumbermen were pleased with the
proposed diminution of the rate on
lumber of 81 per thousand. Phil j.
Borrower, Of the lumber company
which bears his name, would approve
of an even more radical reduction.
"The lumber tariff should have been
reduced years ago." he said, "and now
we would be compelled to pay so
much attention to the preservation Of
the forests. The reduction will have
a great deal to do with the opening
of the Canadian lumber market. How
ever, believe that the reduction will
not make much difference locally, ex-
cept possibly to lower the price of
Norway pine, white pine, and shingles
from British Columbia. At present
ahere is but small duty upon the
latter"