The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1916-08-01
THE DEUTSCHLAND"
AND THE DYE INDUSTRY

ne IdCl NHdA vi Htl lI4dA TIP 80
per cent of the cargo of the undersea
merchantmen, Deutschland consist
ed of German dyestuffs. has convinced
as no amount of argument could con-
vince. the business men of this coun-
try, Of the Importance which Germany
attaches to the control of the Ameri-
can dyestuffs market" said a promi-
nent textile manufacturer from Mas
sachusetts. "If more vessels are to
follow the Deutschland domestic
manufacturers will not be free from
German competition. even while the
war lasts. But the important thing to
consider is that Germany is deter
mined to risk every hazard to dis
courage our own people from engag-
ing in the dye industry. The n%ecessi-
ty for adequate protection. if we are
to have dyes made in America is
plain"
Three days after the arrival of the
Deutschland" the Democratic Con
gress, after pigeonholing the Hill bill
passed a which provided for
a duty on dyestuffs. This bill will not
serve the purpose, because, according
to the sworn testimony of Democrats
(even free-traders) and everyone
posted on the subject. the rates are
too low. If they are not increased by
the Senate, just as much water will
flow over the dam as formerly flowed
through the Democratic breach in our
protective tariff wall. Their argument
was to catch votes. and their bill was
a bluff.
The Hill bill provided for a spe-
ciic duty of ~ cents per pound on
the finished dyes, and 81 cents per
pound on the Intermediates. in addi-
ton to a 30 per cent ad valorem on
the former, and Is per cent on the lat
ter. The Democratic law provides for
the ad valorem rates. but the specific
rates were reduced 80 1-3 per cent.
Ten thousand chemists in the United
States, of all shades of political be-
lief, unanimously approved the Hill
rates. which were fixed after the most
careful study. A committee of these
chemists, of which DR.. Bernard C.
Hesse9a free trader. and Hon. Her
Metz, formerly Democratic Rep
resentative in Congress from Brook
Ign, were members, speaking of the
Hill bill declared: "The committee
herewith unanimously reaffirms its
belief that the rates proposed in its
report of November 4. 1914, are the
lowest at which a self-contained, COM
plete. independent coal-tar chemical
and dye industry can be created in
this country, and at the same time
which offers a legitimate incentive |
10 legitimate capital for a legitimate
effort to produce these goods in this
country" Mr.. Metz asserted: "On any
hing less you will be off, anyway. RI
10 not know whether that is high
enough" DR.. Hesse said: Il do not
ook at 1t as an industrial proposition
tut as a matter of national equip
referring to the dye industry
n its a~daptability to the manufacture
4 explosives. A gentleman who was
bout to embark several millions in
ne enterprise wrote to Representative
I'LL: II am as firmly convinced as
yer that the rates mentioned in your
i'll are the lowest that will establish
his industry in the United States, and
have never so much as intimated to
nybody, by word of mouth or other
Use, that anything less would do the
rick, and / believe that Mr.. Kitchin,
lr. Pratt. etc., thoroughly understand
~ position"
THE coming of the Deutschland
n report that was not infre-
uently heard" said a New York man.
shows that Germany's offer to ship
yes here was not entirely a matter
I blum. And, in my opinion, it indi-
ates that the wal has not disorganiz-
4 Germany's dye industry to an ap-
reciable extent. We know that Ger
ANY is planning an enormous trade
ampaign to regain the markets held
rior to the outbreak of hostilities,
nd there is no reason to suppose that
le dye industry, in which she occu-
led such a predominant position. I
lould be neglected in this prepare l
on." The Democrats are now on rec |
ID as verbally in favor of protection
Id legislatively against that policy.
vidently. they feel that they are
lmned if they do, while the dye in ]
istry is damned il they don't. The
anufacturers are gambling on the :
epublicans winning out in the fall.
ne flood of German dyes to this
'untry will be damned if they do;
dye industry will be damned if !
don't