The Washington herald., 1913-04-09
COTTON RATES spell
INJURY TO INDUSTRY
Manufacturers Association, in Conven-
ton, Adopts Resolution Protesting
Against Underwood Schedule.
FOREIGN LABOR COMPLETES

Fears that the American cotton-grow-
ing industry will be demoralized in the
event that the tariff schedule reported
by the Committee on Ways and Means
is enacted into law, were expressed yes
terday in an open letter sent to Repre-
sentative A. Mitchell Palmer, chairman
of the Democratic caucus, by the Amer
lean Cotton Manufacturers Association,
in convention at the New Willard.
1t is asserted by the members Of the
association that cotton growers in the
United States will not be able to COM
pete with foreigners under the proposed
tariff, which, while purporting to be
reduction to Is per cent, is claimed by
the cotton manufacturers to be cut
to 1923 per cent The cotton growers
give as their authority for this state
ment the late Tariff Board report and
the findings of experts employed by the
association.
The difference in the cost of produc-
ton at home and abroad is not regarded
under the new tariff schedule. which, II
passed. will permit foreign cotton grow
ers to undersell Americans. the protest
states. II is stated there is no monopoly
in the cotton industry to be destroyed.
and the only effect the proposed coaton
tariff can have is to injure irreparably
the American industry.
Passed unanimously by the 500 MEM
bers present at the meeting yesterday,
the protest, which is signed by w. A
Erwin, the associations president, says,
in part:
The tariff committee, at public hear
ings before the Ways and Means Com
mittee. presented from time to time state
ments in which this association, with
frankness and at length. gave informa-
ftFftr
the industry and suggested such reduc-
lions as in the judgment of the associa-
ton could be consistently made without
injury to the domestic industry OF cotton
manufacturing. and at the same time in
consistency with the policy of reasonable
downward revision and tariff for reve-
nue.
1T is, therefore. with the greatest re-
gret and CONSERVATION that we have seen
the publication of rates on cotton prod
ucts recommended by the ways and
Means Committee.
I'm all sincerity, We state to your hon.
orable body that if the rates thus sug-
gested are made effective we believe the
injury TO our industry Will be unpa-
ralleled.'
Members of the association were yes
terday received by the President, who
recognized many former neighbors with
whom he was acquainted when he lived
in Georgia and the Carolinas.
PRESIDENT Erwin. in his annual address
at the opening of the convention yester-
day morning. emphasized the present
prosperity of the cotton-growing indus
| try. The election OF Democratic Presi-
dent and Congress has had 10 detrimental
effect on the industry. Mr.. Erwin said.
! Speeches were made by Alfred Rein
| hart. Of Alexandria. Egypt, and A. III
! Baldwin, Chief OF the Bureau of Foreign
and Domestic Commerce. Department o
! Commerce.
/ Secretary Redfield, of the Department
| Of Commerce, will address the associa
| ton today. Papers will be read by W
| NJ. Steuart. chief statistician OF the Cen
! sus Bureau, and DR.. u. f. Douty. for
merly of the Bureau of Standards.