The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-15
Manufacturing Interests
Contend for Retention of
Present Duties
SAYS STEEL INDUSTRY
HAS BRIGHT FUTURE
Advises Changes in Phraseology of
Law to Avoid Importers Taking
Advantage of It's Terms.
Specific Rates on Watches

Washington, January 1.-THE exist
ence OF an International agreement COW
ering the aluminium industry was re-
vealed at tonights session OF the House
committee on ways and means. Presi-
dent Arthur V. Davis of the Aluminium
Company OF America admitted thai his
company, the only aluminium manufact-
ory in the United states owned by the
Canadian Aluminium company, which,
in turn, had perfect agreements with
all of the six or seven foreign alumni
mum companies. This agreement he
said covers all the world except the
United states, which he admitted 10
! Representative Rainey OF Illinois, WAS
excepted because there is a law hero
prohibiting It,
Washington, January H-Admisson Of
existence of this agreement amazed mem-
bers of the committee. some of whom
pointed out that along with previous
testimony regarding trusts in other inter
ests, IL presented problem never before
faced by a tariff making committee.
Mi. Davis testified that he and his Lon-
don representative wrote the agreement
made by his Canadian plant With all the
| plants in Europe,
| Il submitted the proposed form of the
agreement he said, ITO Attorney Cen
erel Wickersham and whoH The agree
mont was signed l sent Mr.. .elSersnaln
a copy of it."
Mr. Davis did not say what action the
| Attorney General took in the matter.
! eBut Mr. Wickersham had no eogniz-
| ancc of this agreement between Canada
AMI tho rest OF the world, except the Lni-
ted States" interrupted Representative
| Palmer
Nh Davis protested against any reduce
tion of the tariff, which the tentative
democratic platform proposes to cut in
hall. Asked IL he expected more competi-
tion, in view of the existing agreement
he replied that there was competition.
though the members of the committe= de-
| clned to be convinced.
When the committee adjourned at md
night members expressed i. the suspicion
| that the Aluminium company of Ameriest
might be interested in the Nlnsn.OVo com
punv being organized in North Carolina
In view of the agreement with European
plants.
Washington, January 1.-The metal
schedule of the tariff law was again ua-
der fire before the House committee On
ways and means today, contending tor re-
ufacturng interests contending Tor re-
tention of the present duties in the
schedule.
S. p. Ker of Sharon, Pa, president of
the Sharon Steel Hoop company, advo-
Gated changes In the phraseologY OF the
law to avoid importers taking advaatage
of its terms Mr. Ker told of plans now
under way by the United States Steel
corporation to advance the wages of its
common laborers and artisans and me-
chanics on February /, by approximately
10 per cent. Representative Fordney Of
Michigan estimated that this would mean
| an advance of Sl7,500,000
Mr.. ker expressed optimism FOR tn fu-
tlre of the steel industry regardless of
what action the democratic administra-
ton might take. lie said the steel manu-
featuring industry was practically linit-
| less in this possibility and he urged pro-
lection against invasion from abroad le
added that If the industry was disturbed
the capital would remain and the COM
panes would reduce labor to the point OF
meeting with the competition.
Urges Present Law
r. e. Jennings representing the car
penter Steel company of Pennsylvania,
urging the present tariff law, testified
that the labor cost of production iii the
crueible steel industry was about 40 to -
per cent of the total cost, which he said.
in response to Chairman Underwood. was
much greater than in the Bessemer or
open hearth steel business.
r.. II. Reiehelm of New York wanted
the present tariff retained on the pro-
duets of the file and tool Industry.
During the discussion Mr.. Ker advo-
Gated a dumping clause to prevent the
sending of goods into this country at
prices lower than in the country of pro-
ducton.
"If we had a dumping cause in this
| metal schedule asked Chairman Under
| wood, don't you think that the rates
fixed in our metal bill last session would
be effeent?'
! II don't think that is so. We don't
know as to that yet"
Cause of Raised Wages
Mr.. Underwood asked as To the reasons
for the United States Steel corporations
| proposed increase of wages. Mr.. ker
| said he thought that the corporation
was taking time by the foreock 20 hold
| it's labor"
Affairs of the Waltnam Watch COM
(COntinued on Page Eight