The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-02-24
POTTERY IMPORTS
SLIGHTLY INCREASED
Is Finding of Department of Commerce
After Enactment of Law Reducing
the Duties in Varying
Per Cents.

| Washington, ID. c., Feb. 24-Secre-
tary Redheld to-day made public the
report Of the investigation by the de-
partment of commerce into the pottery
industry, begun coincidentally with the
enactment of the present tariff law and
an announcement by the United States
Pottery association that any reduction in
selling prices resulting from reduced du-
ties "must be followed by correspond
ing reduction in wages"
The tariff reduced duties from IS to
50 per cent and from go to 40 per cent
on undecorated and decorated earthen-
ware, respectively. The report says the
imports OF pottery for the first twelve
months of the tariff law increased less
than half million dollars over the last
twelve months Of the old law.
The following conclusions are given
as general statements of fact:
Il. The potters OF the United States
are without adequate knowledge OF the
costs of production in their own indus
try.
- Extreme costs Of production We're
found in the different potteries of the
United States There were also large
variations in earnings and profits.
- Large differences in the cost of
production between the potteries of the
United States and those Of Europe were
found to exist The general level Of
costs was considerably higher in the
United States In fact, the lowest cost
of production in any American pottery
exceeded that OF the highest cost OF
production in any European pottery, ex-
cept one establishment in Austria.
"a. Competitive prices Of American
and foreign ware in the United States
are not determined solely by the differ
ence in cost of production at home and
abroad Other factors, including GUS
toms duties, transportation charges, and
incidental expenses are sufficient as
shown in the report to Offset the differ.
ence in cost of production.
"5 Many of the American potteries
are poorly situated and the plants are
badly arranged. owing 10 the haphazard
character of their development. There
are few American potteries that have
thoroughly modern plants equipped
throughout with up 10 date machinery.
%. In spite OF the fact that the av-
erage wages paid in American potteries
in the different occupations are higher
than those paid in European potteries
By from 90 to 600 per cent, the labor cost
per unit of product never shows 80 great
difference as - per cent Except IN
German china plants This indicates
the greater efficiency Of American work
men.
~ The standard list upon which
American potterips base their selling
price is absolute. II establishes for diff.
ierent articles selling prices that vary
widely from the relative costs Of produce
ton. Complete revision is necessary BE-
fore American potters can intelligently
sell their ware.
g. There is a distinct need for more
scientific methods Of production which
can be brought about only by highly
skilled instruction and morn scientific
research work
- Finally, this report has aimed 10
Dc constructive 10 IL analysis Of the pot
terry industry. There are means. and
these have been pointed ont, by which
the cost Of production may BE- materially
reduced And these costs must b. re-
duccd. not only that The American indus
Try may compete With foreign products
brought into this market but u order
that American products may compete
IN foreign markets
The investigation was made IN the
pottefies Of England. Germany. and Aus
ira. and. In the nited States. IN -
establishments in New Jersey Ohio New
York. West Nirginih. Pennsylvania. lu-
diana and Maryland The report deals
eHhanstiycly with the mcdaniel. sei-
eutide labor and marketing processes
connected with TIE industry