The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-01-25
Low Rates ON COTTON.
HEAVY REDUCTION IN TARIFF
SCHEDULE SEEMS ALMOST
CERTAIN.
Leading South Carolina Mill Men
Urge Compromise Between Under
wood Bin OF Last session and Ad-
vsnced Theories.

HhhhhuHn aN NhOren as low as D
per cent The minimum under the
Underwood bill that was. pressed by
the Democratic majority in the house
in 1911 and 1912. and that so far
stands as the tentative basis OF the
Democratic cotton revision programme
Is rs per cent.
This was the development today
after the ways and means committee
had heard witnesses representing both
the Southern and Northern cotton in
dustry. The committee room was
crowded all day with manufacturers,
importers and others. interested in the
revision plan. under which the Demo-
cratic leaders contend the burden rest
ing upon the. people because of cost
OF cotton clothing. will be reduced
by more than 10000 900.
The American Association Of Cot
ton Manufacturers. dominated by the
Southern mill owners. went on record
for compromise reduction. In
schedule presented by its former pres
ident. Lewis w. Parker OF Greenville
:. c.. who was accompanied by a COM
mittee OF the association. rates were
proposed that dropped the minimum
ad valorem to 10 per cent.
The schedule which will figure in
the committee consideration of the
revision plan provides these ad val
orem rates:
Cotton cloth. varying grades. calico,
sheeting and plain weaves from 10 to
80 per cent. when made in the gray
entirely OF single yarns and Is to
! 40 per cent. when advanced by bleach
ing. dyeing, mercerizing OF other pro-
cess; cotton cloth OF fancy or figured
weaSes OF any description, cords.
stripes. checks. gauze or composed Of
.D-yly ar usss~ yarns. isto 40 per cent.
In the gray and 20 to 40 per cent.
when advanced" cotton cloth of
jacquard weave in the gray. 25 to 45
per cent and advanced" 80 to so:
different classes Of cotton cloth COM
posed OF bleached. dyed. coiored or
mercerized yarns. Is to so per cent;
single yarns in the gray, 10 to SO
and advanced" is to 40 per cent.
Members OF the committee favor
cutting tho cotton manufactures rates
to the lower figures suggested and
some OF the committee are insistent
upon as low as 5 per cent on COM
mon cotton cloth such as calico. sheet.
ing and plain weaves.
The Northern manufacturers took
issue with the suggested reduction
though eonceding that they might be
able to stand a cut in their profit.
You may succeed from a revenue
standpoint" urged Simeon b. Chase
OF FAN River. Mass. representing
large New England mill interest, but
you are not going TO accomplish what
you think you are going to as to
btnefiting the consumers"
John III. Fadden OF New York, a
cotton glove manufacturer. advocated
a great " differential in the duties be-
tween cotton cloth and the finished
glove product.
r. M. Miller, Jr., OF Charlotte. y. c.,
for the American Cotton Manufactur-
ing association. favored specific duties
and submitted recommendation for
rates substantially lower than I'm the
present law.
Staurt w. Cramer OF Charlotte, y.
C.. yarn manufacturer. agreed that
from the standpoint OF tariff for
revenue. the rates on cotton yarn
were too high. lie submitted a sched-
ule OF lower duties. Representative
Hill brought out that the duties re-
commended by Mr.. Cramer were
the tariff boards report. Mr.. Cramer
said ne spoke for the American Cot
ton Manufacturing association. with
members In both the South and North.
: and added that the cotton manufac-
turing business in many cases lately
had been on a basis below cost.
Lewis w. Parker of Grcenvillc. q
cotton mill owner. suggested, az
manufacturer. a schedule Of rates
with minimum of 10 per cent on
} the cheaper cotton cloths and run
ming la many eases below the last
sessions Underwood bill. The schcd-
ulc. hc said was ON The basis that SO
far as the classes Of goods appealing
90 the great masses of th, propl" were
concerned. "w" must expect 90 make
\ reductions To- "a considerable amount"
The examination of Mr.. rut,r
ranged over tho whole cotton indus
try Ito contends that IN" greater
part that labor plays la any particular
a.Awt. a.. I.ae nIft ths rrtrnf4gtnVaY.