New-York tribune., 1910-05-25
PAYNE TARIFF ASSA|[ED
Speeches at Meeting of Hosiery
and Underwear Manufacturers.
CALL Mr.. CANNON "HER0'
Senator Penrose and Philadel-
phia Congressman Praised
: Excessive Profits Denied.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

PHILADELPHIA May 24-The tariff and
those who are trying to lower IT were as
sailed at the opening session Of the Ma
tionaI Association of Hosiery and Under
wear Manufacturers to-day at the Hotel
Walton.
Mayor Reyburn, who welcomed the dele
gates from over the country, introduced
the attack The address OF F. ". Simons,
president OF the association, was devoted
almost exclusively to attacking the tariff.
Speaker Cannon was referred to as a
hero who had fought the cause well for the
manufacturers Senator Penrose and the
Philadelphia Congressman also were praised
as having worked hard to protect the inter
ests of the trade
The Mayor declared that the State De-
partment to-day would trade every man
ufacturer in the United States off for some
other manufacturer. It should not be
trusted with tariff legisla ton. II should be
left to Congress
Mr.. Simons took up the attack more in de-
tail and was outspoken against men who
are trying to reduce the duties on imports.
He said that the welfare of the country is
at stake. The entire assemblage agreed
with him and heartily approved his ad-
dress.
Mayor Reyburn's Speech.
Mayor Reyburn said in part:
The manufacturer should not be made out
as a man who should be legislated against.
He deserves consideration of the laws and
public opinion. There is a disposition to
dictate TO men who understand and know.
The President of the United States down TO
the lowest clerk was never manufacturer.
After all the tariff must come down to the
people to decide how they shall meet the
competition of the world.
We have no sympathy with anything that
attacks the interests of the manufacturers
of this country We believe in keeping trade
at home instead of encoura ging that
abroad.
The State Department to-day would trade
every manufacturer in the United States
off for some other manufacturer. 1t should
not be trusted with tariff legislation. Such
a subject should be left to Congress.
Mr.. Simons directed his entire address
principally against the tariff. He hailed
Speaker Cannon as the finest old gentle
man that ever welded a gavel." Hearty
applause followed the remark. showing that
the hosiery and underwear manufacturers
approve the stand the Speaker OF the
House has taken the tariff question.
Mr.. Simons said. in part:
History shows that the business of this
country was never in a satisfactory condi-
ton during tariff discussion. l dissent from
the tariff of the present administration.
If Taft is carrying out the Roosevelt poll
isnl-I am opposed TO them
A tremendous responsibility rests on the
men who are clamoring for lower tariff
on imports. Why abandon the policy on
which our great American progress is
ba sed?
l protest that IN matters of statecraft it
something wrong The tariff reformers say
they are inspired by the interests OF the
consumer and the producer. They profess
to be scientific protectionists
Ia
allowed to increase its advantages.
The captains of industry are regarded as
feeding on the less fortunate. They are
yelling Stop thief after the manufact-
urer.
Are three hundred thousand manufactur-
ers and those who work for them in this
country grafters2 They desire no greater
protection than those of the duties afforded
smaller profit than the merchant of this
country. He is not so prosperous as the
agriculturist. He works on a smaller profit
than any other manufacturer in the world
Denies Excessive Profits.
I think the government is in possession
of information through the census. The
census proves conclusively that the manu-
facturers do not make excessive profits.
We are not grafters. and If Congress is
not satisfied let us study the statistics
There is no permanent cost of anything
Our business depends on conditions the
same as does that of the farmer
Congress needs the assistance of coupe-
tent accountants. Why not take the bull
by the horns and prove the charges false =?
They say We have stacked the cards If
so, throw the cards on the table face up
so that all can see what they are
And now the magazines are trying TO
play the manufacturer for a soft thing
They are making attacks on him and then
following it up by appeals for his adver-
tisements. One magazine recently pub
lished an attack on Cannon and at the
same time there was $4,000 worth of ''ads"
in it from the textile industries
Uncle joe is the finest old gentleman
that ever welded a gavel If the manu-
facturers of this country will assist those
who are haying him and them they will
get all the tariff they are looking for.
Child labor laws VIII be thoroughly dis
cussed al to-morrow's session. A commit
tee appointed TO study the question will
make a report. and legislation 10 improve
conditions viii be suggested.