The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-27
FOR REDUCTION
OF TARIFF ON COTTON
President Transmits to Congress Report on
Schedule and Recommends Revision---Asks
Appropriation for Board to Continue
Its Work
Its w ork.

however, as the fabrics become more
complicated (and therefore permit of
fewer looms per weaver), the American
cost of production increases In the
case of most fancy fabrics or compli-
| Gated weave, the cost of weaving Is
higher in this country. but OH such
fabrics the present duties are in excess
of any difference In cost and In many
cases arc In excess OF the total con-
version costs IN this country
The report further shows that In
the case Of large variety OF fabrics
which permit Of the use of many looms
per weaver the prices at which goods
are sold by the American Inanufact ell
are as low as the prices charged By the
foreign manufacturer In our own
market and In many cases lower.
Under the existing system of dis
tribution slight reduction 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 consumer at all"
In the cost OF raw material. the
board reports. there is practically nc
advantage possessed by either the
United States or England. Compa ring
yarns selected by the hoard as samples
the English labor cost was found 10
be on an average of practically seven
eighths of the American in two mills
selected. 1t was not possible for the
board with the time and money at Its
disposal to investigate each of the
items of the cotton schedule and Its
work WAS confined to yarns, threads
textile fabr 'cs. and such specialties &C
tapestries. plush. hosiery. table damash
and the like.
Earnings Grentcr in United 6tntea,
Figures are presented to show that
although labor costs in tho cotton In.
dustry are in many cases lower in the
United States than in England, yet the
actual hourly earnings In this country
arc in most of the principal occupa.
lions much creator.
The conclusion is that on many plnir
fabrics the cost of production in this
, country is not greater.
The report gives some figures show
ing the difference in cost of cotton
fabrics at tho mill and the cost TO the
consumer. Cloth sold at the mill at
eight or nine cents yard reaches the
consumer at fifteen cents. Some ex-
amples are given:
In 1908. a quilt sold at the mill
for sixty-two and Il half cents was
sold to the consumer at 81. In 1910
the mill increased the price TO seventy
five cents, and the price to the CON
sumner went up TO $780,"
The board argues, however, that In
some cases reduction In the mill
price might have no reduction for the
consumer. ~ study OF comparative
statistics seems to show that the Eng
llsh consumer buys cheaper because
there is less profit between the mill
man and the retailer.
In determining costs the board did
not take into consideration the item OF
interest upon investments, but the cost
figures do allow for appreciation.
Taking all the mills covered by the
investigation in each country, there
we're wider variations in the American
costs secured than in the English costs,
due partly to the fact that tho English
mills were all in the Manchester dis
trict, where wages and other condi-
tions are we'll standardized, while the
American costs were taken from m lis
covering q much wider area, with
much greater differences IN labor and
other conditions. Another reason for
tho wider variation In American costs
is that the English mills, for which
figures were secured, are all OF a
modern and efficient type. while some
Of the American mills included were
old and of low efficiency"
Question or Duties.
Discussing duties in their relation
to costs of weaving and finishing, tho
report says:
"Tho ratio II the duty to the CONVEX
sion cost bears little rotation to the
ratio of tho duty to tho foreign mar