Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-22
Stretehina Rubber for Revenue.

Stretching Rubber for Revenue.
Importers Of Grade rubber are some
What nervous because OF Representa-
1--we K:sch!n's public statement that
he Ways ard Means Committee would
bodstuffs" in the revenue measure
which Is TO be bludgeoned through the
House by January soth. The rubber
manufacturers note that nothing is
said relative TO levying the ten per cent
,ax on importations of crude rubber
suggested by the Treasury Depart
nent, which Is estimated 10 raise S15,-
10000 Of revenue annually. and which,
= imposed. will he levied upon the
Users of rubber goods. This is based
On imports of crude and scrap rubber
'or the calendar year 1916, which
.otaied approximately s15OOo0,Ooo.
In March. 1912, when the Ways and
Means Committee was considering the
proposal to levy duty rate OF ) cents
pound on crude rubber. Mr.. Frederic
{. Hood president of the Rubber Club
OF America presented brief to the
committee which contained SO potent
an argument againts the lovying of a
duty on this non competing raw ma
terial that even the Democratic tariff
~reckers were scared out OF their de-
sign aud rubber was permitted to re-
main on the free list They did, how
ever. reduce the duty on rubber manu-
features by 50 and 10 per cent. and on
vulcanized. OF hard rubber. by 80 per
cent. and during the first ten months
free operation OF the Wilson Under
wood law. from October, 1913. to July,
1914. before the outbreak of the Euro
pcan war. imports of rubber manu-
features increased nearly As per cent.
Mr.. Hood called attention to the fact
that at that time. of all grades of crude
rubber about % per cent was devoted
20 the manufacture of mechanical
goods. such as rubber hose, packing
etc, 30 per cent for tires. 80 per cent
Cor footwear and clothing and 10 pei
cent for druggists sundries, surgical
goods. etc. There were then 375 fac
tories In the country. He estimated
that nearly 10000 people were en-
ployed in the industry, and that in the
nsishborhood OF se2,oOo000 was pait
out In salaries and wages.
impose tax on the raw materia
and you will impose an additional bur.
den that no other line of manufactured
goods is bearing. so far as I know,
said Mr.. Hood. land bear in mind tina
in doing so II Is for no protective pur,
duced In this country. II is taker
bodily out of the pockets of manufac
turers who are already bearing il
their line a disproportionate cost o
material. who. in their turn must nat
u-ally shift this increased burden OF
th. consumer"
al tNtlS
throughout the country have for tn,
past two years been discussing tn,
budding policy of the Democratic
party to exact \ duty on raw ma
tcrials. deny industrial America an,
sort OF protection on manufacture,
products. and TO depend on iucreasn;
corporation taxes, taxes on profits, etc.
80 meet .xtravagauces unparalleled II
American history.
The business men OF the United
states are alive as never before to tn
Importance Of speedily adopting a pro
toctive tariff, which will increase thu
revenues by $1,000 900 annually. ant
put us In state of commercial pre-.
ptrcdnesS to meet postwar competi
ticr. aG; they sec the ACCESSIBILITY o
ltrs ing inc exemption on Incomes i.
lvNs inr n income tax. Shat a large
p'opf, zen o: on citizens may s.i;il.
r th cost 0: iurr.nE the Government
nj th, responsibility for stewardship
- nv Hi''N IT C'Htici VIII htICe ~
i,tai.:. fae Republican party shoult
/. p', p.r,l with a substitute tariff bill
t..- nc these points I. can b. mod
Goa oa the law OF 1909. with certain
t'.nE, ! ia the chemical, cotton, wool
aaG farm products schedules, ard j
should lie presented when the new
Democrat rnakcsiitt is introduced