Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-27
PRESI0ENT. TAFT.
Continued from Page one.)


The duty on these yarns is two or
three times in excess of the difference
of cost of production. On some highly
specialized yarns and on yarns of the
highest count-that is, of greatest fine
ness-the duty in some cases about
equalizes the difference in conversion
costs.
In many cases, however, on the
higher grades of yarn which are pro-
duced in this country, the duty is in
excess of the difference in the ocst of
production. though by a much less
amount than in the case of ordinary
warp and filing yarns.
THE difference in the cost of weav-
ing yarns into cloth as between this
country and its chief competitor varies
according TO the character of the fab
nc. in the case of many cloths of
plain weave, the American cost Of
weaving seems to be lower than the
foreign cost, due To the greater num-
Der of looms tended per weaver in this
country. This reduces the labor cost
per yard despite the higher earning of
the American weaver This conclusion
is further substantiated by the fact
| by the domestic manufacturer in this
country at prices as low as thosa
! charged by the foreign manufactures
~ ms own country. In proportion,
| however as the fabric becomes more
| complicated (and therefore permits of
! fewer looms per weaver) the American
| cost Of production increases. In the
case Of most fancy fabrics Of compli-
! Gated weave, the cost of weaving is
/ higher in this country but ON such
fabrics the present duties are in ex-
cess Of the total conversion costs in
this country.
II The report further shows that in
the case of a large variety of fabrics
which permit Of the use of many looms
per weaver the prices at which goods
are sold by the American manufacture
er are as low as the prices charged
by the foreign manufacturer in his
own market and in many cases lower
Under the existing system of dis
tribution a slight reduction of duties
would in some cases materially reduce
Il the price to the consumer. while in
other cases, large reduction of the
duties would not change the price Il
the American consumer at all.
In the cost of raw material. the
board reports, there is practically ne
advantage possessed by either country
Comparing all of the yarns selected
by the board as samples, the English
labor cost was found to be on ar
average of practically seven eighths
of the American in two mills selected
1t was not possible for the boart
with the time and money at its dis.
posal TO Investigate each of the item.
OF the cotton schedule and it's worl
was confined to yarns, thread, textll.
fabrics and such specialties as tapes
tries, plush, hosiery. table damask ane
the like
l Figures are presented to show tina
although labor costs in the cotton in
dustrN are in many cases lower in tn,
| United States than in England. We
| the actual hourly earnings in thi
| country are in most of the principa
| occupations much greater. The con
| elusion is that on many plain fabric
| the cost of production in this countr
is not greater.
The report gives some figures show
ing the difference in cost of cotto
L fabrics at the mill and the cost to IN
| consumer. Cloth sold al the mill a
or cents yard reaches the con
sumner at 5 cents Some example
j are given.