The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-03-26
TAFT URGES CUT
IN COTTON TARIFF
Continued from Fir.t Page

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higher. as In the case OF the inner
classes of products, they are rarely
higher by anything like the whole
amount OF the duty.
The effect OF the present tariff
then in most cases is not so much
TO add the duty TO the manufacturers
price as to secure him the American
market, and in the case of most ar
ticles OF widest consumption, 10 pre-
vent the competition OF the foreign
manufacturer either in normal or alb
normal times. On account OF the
more costly methods OF distribution In
this country from producer 10 con-
sumner, the latter pays decidedly
higher retail price than the European
consumer even in the case of fabrics
OH which the cost OF production ana
the mill price are as low here as
there"
This cost OF distribution" is blamed
by the report for cxorbitant percent
ages swallowed up In the middleman's
transaction OF getting the cotton
goods from the mill to the consumer.
Reviewing his effort to secure non
partisan" tariff Information, the presl-
dents comment on the report was:
Il now recommend that congress
proceed TO consideration OF this
schedule with view TO its revision
and a reduction of it's rates.
~ base this recommendation on a
declaration OF the platform on which
was elected, that a reasonable pro-
tective tariff should be adjusted to
the difference in cost OF production
at home and abroad.
THE report shows the difficulty OF
stating in general terms the difference
In costs of production for great
variety OF cotton manufacturers. In
the case OF ordinary warp and filling
yarns, forming the bulk of the pro-
duction of the domestic industry, the
foreign cost OF turning cotton into
yaru is shown to be about 30 per cent
OF the domestic cost. The duty on
these yarns is two or three times in
excess OF the difference in cost or
production. On some highly special
lied yarns the duty about equalizes
the difference In many cases, how
ever, on the higher grades of yarn
which are produced in this country
IN cost OF production though by a
much less amount than IN the cost OF
ordinary warp and filling yarn
The president detailed the .set"
price system and following the report,
blamed it for the higher prices paid
by Americans than are the rules
abroad
Under the existing system Of dis
tribution," he continued, "a slight re-
duction of duties would in some cases
materially reduce the price to the
consumer, while in other cases large
reduction of the duties would not
change the price TO the American con-
sumer at all.
The pressure under which the In
designations of the wool and cotton
schedules were made" the president
said in conclusion, involved a great
err outlay than will be necessary in
the investigation and report upon the
remaining schedules. Heretofore, the
expenditure has averaged about $780,
900 a month The board now advises
me that 10000 per month in addiGon
70 the sum on hand would enable
them to continue their regular work
upon other schedules directed by me
until the end OF the fiscal year.
therefore urge deficiency appropria-
ton OF 100000.
Il cannot emphasize too much the
importance that | attribute TO the
work The reports already made are
mos, valuable in advising the con
gress and the people OF the actual
conditions under which these sched-
ules operate and of the changes that
ought to be made to make more
equitable their effect.
Il have directed the board to take
up the metal. the leather, chemical
and sugar schedules. and | sincerely
hope that appropriations not lily for
the current fiscal year but ample ap-
preparation for the next year, Will be
made in order that this congress III
its next session and its successors
may have the benefit of the informa-
ton which will certainly result from
a continuance OF the boards SER
vices.