Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-30
TARIFF HEARINGS
INDICATE BIG CUTS
Marked Reductions in Harness,
Shoe and Felt Hat Duties
Considered Likely.

The sundry schedule Of the tariff law
with its large number of varying articles
that fall outside the other thirteen sched-
ules. was again up for discussion today
before the House committee on ways and
means. The hearing room was crowded
with representatives Of interests involved,
and there was a formidable list Of wit
nesses that promised to occupy not only
all day. but possibly tonight.
Most of the witnesses want retention Of
the present tariff on the products of
their industries. The testimony all
through the tariff hearings has been lib
orally sprinkled with politics. the demo-
cratic members of the committee con-
tending for the principles Of tariff for
revenue only. with occasional free trade
suggestions. and the republicans intend
ing in their examination Of witnesses to
bring out the efficacy of the doctrine of
protection for home industries and the
working operation of the Payne-Aldrich
tariff law.
The remaining hearings will be the free
list, the miscellaneous provisions and the
administrative features Of the tariff.
Lower Tariff on Saddles.
Chairman Underwood stated at the
opening of today's hearing that the pres
ent 20 per cent tariff on harness and
saddlery was too high. The state
ment was made while B. w. Campbell
of Cincinnati. representing q saddlery
association. was pleading for the reten-
ton of the duty.
I'VE are not going to write a pro-
hibitive tariff" said Mr.. Underwood
Mr. Campbell testified that when the
conferees between the two houses were
framing the Payne-Aldrich law President
Taft asked him what he thought was a
proper saddlery tariff. and the witness
telegraphed the associations view that 20
per cent was sufficient and that the Presi-
dent communicated this view to the con-
ferees. Representative Payne Of New
York said he had no recollection Of any
such communication from the President
Would Bar Aigrets.
The fight to bar out aigrets from the
country. in the interest Of the National
Association of Audubon Societies and
other organizations favoring the protec-
ton Of birds, was led by DR.. William T.
Hornaday for the New York Geological
Society. He advocated a specific prohibi-
ton against the importation Of plumage
OF wild birds for millinery.
Cut in Shoe Schedules.
mittee retain the present tariff OF 10 and
10 per cent ad valorem on boots and
shoes occupied most Of yesterdays ses-
sion. Chairman Underwood Of the COM
mittee fatty told the gathering of repre-
sentatves of the wholesale and retail
shoe industries Of the country that the
tariff now was prohibitive. that there was
no revenue and that retention of the pres
ent rates was Impossible. Questions Of the
committee indicated sentiment favor
able to big drop In those rates.
While James Marshall. representing the
fur felt hat Industry. was arguing again ct
the duty on raw material used in the fur
felt hat industry an attendant placed be-
side him brown felt hat. 1t was Mr..
Underwood and the chairman asked the
cost Of producing that hat I'm Italy where
il made.
N:r. Marshall said that the hat could be
manufactured in Italy for about 20 cents
and that the duty amounted to about 10
cents. Mr.. Underwood and the witness
agreed that the hat cost about IS retailed
in tho United States. Marshall declared
that the difference between the 81. 10, rep
resented by the cost of production and
the duty. and the selling price of s. was
absorbed by the retailer and the middle
man.