The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-03-23
MINORITY WOOL BILL
SUBMITTED TO HOUSE
Substitute for the Underwood
Measure Based on Boards
Report. ''' .
PROVIDES 40 PER CENT. CUT
Representative Hill, Who Prepared Draft,
Explains Its Chief
Features.

WASHINGTON, March pa general
reduction Of 40 per cent. or more on raw
wool and the manufactures OF wool ia
proposed in the Republican wool revision
bill presented to-day as substitute
for the Underwood bill by the minority
members OF the Committee on Ways
and Means. The report was prepared
by Representative Hill OF Connecticut.
generally recognized as one OF the best
informed men in Congress on the tariff
The prime purpose Of the Republican
bill as set forth in a statement made
public by Representative Hill is: First.
to make the rates OF Schedule X conform
to the findings Of the Tariff Board which
has been investigating the woollen indus
try for the last two years all over the
world The board sought 10 ascertain
the difference between the cost Of pro-
duction at home and abroad and the
Republican bill. according to Mr.. Hill.
makes rates which represent that differ
ence ss near as the same can be adjusted
to the facts shown"
The bill combines former class 1 and
be known as class I. The effect is 10
eliminate determinations 80 far as
shrinkage is concerned between the
woollen and worsted branches OF the
industry
Instead Of putting a duty on the grease
pound. as heretofore. the duty is made
specific at Is cents a pound on the clean
contents Of the wool, such clean con-
tents to be determined by the Gov
ernment, 80 that so far as shrinkage is
concerned all users Of wool in the United
States will hereafter stand on an even
footing. This single specific duty on the
secured pound OF wool is carried into
the by-products Of the wool. the wastes.
&c. and matheinatically adjusted in
each case according to actual manu-
featuring tests made by the TaIiff Board.
Woollen rags are made dutiable at
cents instead Of 10 cents.
All of the manufact uring duties are
made in two parts. a specific duty allow
ing in each case the amount OF duty paid
on the wool and the wastage incurred
in manufacturing. and IN all cases these
are adjusted substantially in accordance
with the report Of the Tariff Board
Another big feature Of the bill. which
is not obtained with regard to any former
tariff legislation and which will undoubt-
edly remove much criticism that has been
made against Schedule a said MIR. Hill,
lis that in every paragraph relating to
manufactured articles from tops TO sun
dries the speciHc or compensatory duty
applies only to the wool cont "a ined therein.
II IL impossible to say how much this
will further reduce the net AL valorem
Of the measure until il il determined
by actual importations. for there il no
record now Of the amount Of cotton and
other materials that have been used in
the manufacture Of so-called wooilen
goods.
III this bill passes the old scandal OF
rubber boots and furniture and Office
desks. &C. having a little wool as a con-
stituent part OF their manufacture. being
classed as woollen goods and duty
assessed at the pound rate on the whole
Of them will be absolutely done away
with and the wool duty will in no case be
laid upon anything but the wool itself ''
The general reduction upon the whole
hill will probably lie 10 per cent. or more.
and yet it will be left as thoroughly
protective measure owing to the method
of application of the re- tes of duty
The indicati tons are that the Demo-
cratic wool bill will be called for con-
sideration next Wednesday or Thursday.
The time that will he allowed for debate
has not been determined. However.
Represen tative Underwood believes the
bill will be sent TO the Senate within a
week after it has been taken up in the
House.