Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-08
|COTTONM MEN OBJECT
| TO NEW TARIFF BILL
Resolutions Addressed to
Congress Adopted Today by
American Association.
CONVENTION IN SESSION
AT NEW WILLARD HOTEL
Delegates to Call on President Viii.
son This Afternoon-Business
Session Today.

Fehtlon OF the american Cotton Manu-
facturers' Association adopted resolutions
protesting against the schedules of the
Underwood tariff bill relating toscotton
manufactures land appoined commit
tee to present to the democratic members
of Congress the organizations protest
against the new schedules
The associations memorial. addressed
to Representative A. Mitchell Palmer. re-
cites the action taken by the association
in April. 1912. in which a reasonable re-
vision and reduction in duties on cotton
manufactures was advocated, and further
refers to the work of the organizations
tarin committee, which, In the course Of
several hearings before the ways and
means committee Of the House, suggested
schedule of duties on manufactured
cotton of all kinds that, while materially
reducing the duties still afforded mar
gin of protection to American manufac-
turers.
The memorial recites that the associa-
tons suggestions have not been followed
in framing the new tariff bill, and that
the cotton schedules of the BILL if enact
ed into law will work irreparable injury
to the cotton manufacturing interests of
the United States.
President Erwin Hopeful.
About 500 Representatives of the cotton
manufacturing industry Of the United
States. members of the American Cotton
Manufacturers Association, were present
In the small ballroom of the New Willard
today when w. a. Erwin, president of the
organization. called to order the opening
session of the associations seventeenth
annual convention
In his annual address President Erwin
touched upon the prosperous conditions in
the cotton manufacturing industry last
year, declaring that such prosperity was
absolutely unprecedented in the face of a
presidential campaign.
That the election of a democratic Presi-
dent, with democrats in control of both
houses of Congress, and all branches of
the government, has had no detrimental
effect on the industry represented by the
delegates to the convention. Mr. Erwin
said, was amply shown by the continued
prosperity of the cotton manufacturing
interests.
Mr. Erwin referred to the impending
tariff legislation, expressing the belief
that the changes which may be made in
the cotton schedules will in no wise in
terfere with the continued development
of the industry.
ne nO1eO the TACT uOWHWdTu re-
vision Of the tariff sis contemplated with
the gravest apprehensions on the part
of some Of the members Of our associa-
tion,' but he noted that with revision
on reasonable lines. and wise and sane
banking and commercial laws enacted
the opening of the Panama canal. the
industrial and commercial enterprises OF
our country shall prosper throughout
this and the coming years as they have
never done before"
Egyptian Cotton Growers Address.
Following a number of announcements
Alfred Reinhart of Alexandria, Egypt,
presented a paper on methods of grow
ing and handling cotton In Egypt Mr.
Reinhart, who gained his initial expert
ence in cotton growing in the United
States said that at the present time
about 5, 600 acres in Egypt are devoted
to growing cotton. last years crop hav-
ing a value of about S2OO.OO0.OOO. Cotton
is sold in Egypt. he said. in the seed.
rather than in the lint, as Is customary
in the United States. and the average pro-
duction throughout tine entire cotton-pro-
ducing area Is about I 900 pounds per
acre. Cotton growing on commercial
the year 1890 though the cotton plant
was known and grown beside the Nile
5000 years ago.
Work of Government Bureau.
A. H. Baldwin, chief of the bureau of
foreign and domestic commerce, present
ed paper describing the work of the
bureau. which is connected with the De-
partment Of Commerce. Its work, he
said, is closely allied with that formerly
performed by the tariff board, which con-
cluded it's Investigations last year. He
told o. the work OF the bureaus special
agents. which, he said. travel in every
country in the world. collecting trade aud
manufacturing statistics, which are is
sued In bulletin form, and he predicted
that within few years the Importance
Of this field of government activity Will
be recognized by American manufacturers
and producers who. at the present time,
have only a faint realization OF the mag
nitude of the task which has been under
taken and which is performed under the
direction OF this bureau.
The report of the committee on cotton
exchanges, appointed at the convention
held here last year. showed the progress
that has been made in obtaining uniform
methods In these exchanges in the mat
ter of samplng and handling cotton. etc.
Discussion of this report and of the re-
port of the national council, body COM
posed of representatives OF the various
organiza tons in the cotton manufacturing
opening session.
This afternoon at o'clock the dele
gates will be received at the White House
by President Wilson, Mrs Wilson and
the Misses Wilson.
Future Program
Tomorrows program includes an ad-
dress by william c. Redfeld. Secretary of
the Department Of Commerce: a paper by
w. M. Steuart, chief statistician Of the
census bureau, who will talk on the
statistics of production, consumption and
stocks of cotton in the United States.
and a technical paper by d. +. Douty.
formerly Of the bureau of standards, on
the value of accurate testing in the cot
ton industry. The entertainment feature
tomorrow evening will be a theater party.
Thursdays sessions will be devoted to re-
ceiving the reports of officers and COM
mittees. and the convention will close
with the annual election of officers.
The American Cotton Manufacturers
Association Is composed principally of
cotton manufacturers located In the
southern states, although its membership
includes a few northern manufacturers.
Association Officers.