Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1913-01-10
NEW COURSE ADOPTED
BY THE COMMITTEE
Owing to Conflict in Testi-
mony Those Appearing
Are Placed Under Oath
Underwood Explains the
Position Of Democrats.

Washington, Jan. 1O--The IRON and
steel schedule was taken up by tho
house ways and means committee
when It resumed its hearings on tariff
revision today. Two days will probably
be devoted to this important section.
and many prominent steel men will be
heard Confronted by contradictory
testimony during the hearing on prev
ious schedules. the committee began
the practice OF making ali witnesses
testify under oaths.
The basis of hearing was the I'm
derwood metal revision bin passed, but
vetoed during the last session OF con-
gress. The Underwood bill would rs-
duce duties 80 per cent.
The proposal to put printing presses
on the free list. instead of 80 per cent
ad valorem duty brought protest
from James r. Bennett Of New York,
representing 20 printing press manu-
featuring mpanies.
Chairman Underwood told the wit
ness that the Democrats are seeking
tariff for revenue, and mot TO protect
profits" and there was no disposition
to maintain the tariff unless there WAS
some revenue to the government. The
Nilllte5 ihtilttiptti ia9iliES6 W DtIiS
run on a small margin.
To Pay Reasonable Duty.
Chairman Underwood said that the
proposition was to make all articles
ON the dutiable list pay some reason
able duty. Bennett. pressed for sug-
gestion as to the point of revision that
American manufacturers could stand.
said they would be willing to expert
ment with the government on q Is per
cent tariff. Bennett said 80 per cent
of the tariff really went to labor, as
1t was less than the difference in the
cost of labor between the United
States and foreign countries. He said
that, while actual exports OF Ameri-
can printing presses were increasing,
they were not making the increase
Germans were. He admitted that the
tariff would not help Americans In
foreign markets. his contention being
to protect the homo market against
cheaper labor abroad.
Rocky mountain lead miners op-
posed the proposal OF a cut in the tar
iff on lead to flat a5 per cent ad va
loren. Frederick Bourbridge Of Seat
tie testified there was less than per
cent profit in the capital invested IN
the Coenr d'Alene lead mines. He
wanted. at least, TO have the new rates
remain on the same specific basis. He
said Coeur dAlene was dependent on
the lead industry. George Ritter Of
Salt Lake advocated a continuance Of
the special tariff at not less than the
present rates.
II would like to SEQ q competitive
tariff all along the line,' announced
Chairman Underwood of the ways and
means committee at the final hearing
Yesterday on the earthenware and
glassware schedule.
Mr.. Underwood lad been hearing ar
gCments aimed ut securing a lowering
of the tariff of 80 and 60 per cent to
80 and 80 per cent I'D yalorem on china
earthenware. porcelain stone and
crock eryware. including clock cases.
statutes, stems. lamps and a host II
similar articles taxed at the higher
rate in sections 93 and "a of schedule
"B" of the Payne -Aldrich tariff law.
1T looks to me-. MIR. Underwood
continued, "as If schedules % and "a
are raore COM etet.ve than mos, uf
the paragraphs we have to deal with.
That is my Judgment, subject to reser-
vation If any information is brought
out taat nigh. develo, to the con-
trary !"
Nc. s. Pitcairn OF N,w York. repre-
sent'ng the importers. presented radi-
cal.y divergent views. His protest
against the exhorbitance of The pres
ent tariff on English and other earth
enware led to sharp interchanges with
Representatives Payne ana Lonswortn.