The sun., 1916-01-06
HIGH DUTIES ON DYE
URGED ON CONGRESS
Textile and Chemical 1ndns.
tries to Push Bill to Make
4. s. Independent.
BIG HEARING ON JAN. IL

wAsuINGToN, Jan. S..Reprcsorta
tives Of Industries in which hundreds o.
millions Of dollars are invested will ap.
pear before the Ways and Mean Com.
mittec on January IL to urge favorable
action on the bill offered by Representa-
tive Hin Of Connecticut, providing for
the imposition Of protective duties on
foreign chemicals and dyeetuffs
Following these hearings officials ~
the Administration will have an oppo-
tunity to suggest legislation to encour-
age the American manufacture OF chem
icals and dyestuffs on a scale that would
make this country independent OF any
other source Of supply in time OF war
or peace.
The Administration leaders are con.
vinced that action must be taken az once
to check the loss to American Indus
tries occasoned by their failure to oh
tain adequate supplies OF chemicals and
dyestuffs. Such products are now sol.
ing at unprecedented prices and some of
the chemicals and dyestuffs, 80 essen
tIal to many lines OF manufacture, are
not obtainable.
According to represent atoms made 20
the Department OF Commerce and mem
bers Of Congress. the cotton, textile.
leather and other manufacturers are
OF dyes and chemicals.
Officials OF the Department OF Com.
merce and Democratic leaders In con-
gress who have studied this problem
agrec with the spokesmen of the indus
tries concerned that legislation must
be passed 10 obviatc a recurrence of
the plight in which the United States
finds itself as n result of a stoppage
in the shipment Of foreign chemicals
and dyestuffs
The Administration, however, is op.
posed TO lcvying protective duties 10
establish the manufacture OF chemicals
and dyestufYs on paying basis. Under
| direction OF the President. Secretary Of
Commerce Redhcld and officers In the
Federal Trade Commission have rre-
pared bills that propose to attain the
end sought by amendments to the anti.
! trust laws. which would make punish
able as unfair competition" under
| selling campaigns Instituted In the Amer
lean market by foreign producers.
At the hearings to be held on Jan.
| uary ~, the American Chemical Society
will be represented by DIR. Hesse and
| ex Representative Metz of New York
a large delegation will appear FOR the
consuming Industries.
II Is the hope OF Representative Hill
who has been In correspondence with tbs
| representatives of the textile industries
| In New England. the makers OF hats In
| Connecticut and others concerned. that
| the committee can he persuaded to pass
"A bill amending the Underwood. Sim
mons tariff law so as to provide for pro
! hibitive duties on chemicals and dye.
stuffs.
| "ln no other way can this problem
be solved" said Mr.. Hill. You canno
establish the chemical industry on Z
! basis TO make us independent of the res
| OF the world except by protective duties.
| "It cannot be done by amendment
| to antitrust laws. II cannot be dom
| by 'anti-dumping legislation. Canads
| has tried 'anti-dumping' laws and they
| have failed. II the business Of manu-
featuring chemical and dyestun IL to b.
placed on a paying basis you must pro
| tect those who invest their money In II "