Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-01-30
COMMERCE CHAMBER
IN ANNUAL SESSION
1t Elects Directors and Protests
Against the Discriminatory
Duty on Goat Skins.

The Chamber of Commerce, in annual
eession at the Hotel du Pont, last night
elected Joseph Bancroft, Frederick Brady
Joseph S. Hamilton, Clarence G. hillen
Josiah Marvel. George w. Sparks and
Alfred ID. Warner. Jr.. directors for three
years and I. Writ Willis and DIR. Harrison
" Howell directors for one year. All
were reelected except Mr.. Willis, who is
a new director.
The following communication was read
and filed:
Wilmington, Del, Jan. 22, 1920
Chamber of Commerce, Wilmington,
Del, Gentlemen: In response 20 your
telephone communication of today, we
would say that the export duty now
levied by India, with its discriminating
rebate in favor of British territory, is
likely to prove quite detriment TO the
American tanner.
AT the present prices Indian raw
goatskins might be said to average $50
per dozen 1t will thus be seen that the
10 per cent rebate to British tanners
will give them an advantageovcr American
tanners of about IS per dozen, which will,
OF course, have corresponding effect in
the finished leather.
Before the advent of the great war
American glazed kid manufacturers ex-
ported their product TO European coun-
ties, even England herself being large
consumer. The first effect of this prefer
ential rebate would be to make it harder.
If not impossible, for the American tanner
to compete with the English tanner in
British markets, and it might also have a
serious effect upon American leather trade
III continental Europe.
IN n hR
is one that might very we'll be considered
by the Washington representatives of
Delaware. Tanning of goatskins is a
great industry in this state; it is estimated
hat fully 5000 persons are employed by
the tanneries OF Wilmington. and to in
my way curtail the activity of these
plapts would surely have its effect upon
the well being and prosperity OF our State.
We would suggest that tho Chamber
of Commerce. if other members. concur
refer tins matter 10 our Senators and
Representative for their earnest copsidera-
lion. Very truly yours. New Castle
Leather Company, {. T. Bridgham.
Auditor"
Joseph Fl. Martin presented the follow
ing resolution, and it was unanino,,sIv
adopted:
Whereas, The Chamber Of Comn,orce
hss learned that the government of Tndis
maintains an export duty of Is Der cent,,r,
on rsw goatskins leaving thst country
and that recent revision of the eyr,ori
customs regulations of that oouptr,,
provide for a rebate of 10 percentum Of
this amount IN ell eases where raw roat-
skins arc exported to Great Britain or
its various territories and colonies: and
Whereas, India Is the source of sunplv
Of q very large Percentage of the goat
SKINS used as raw material in The glazed
KID industry In the Unite d States. inclnd-
ing Wilmington, and the operation of th;s
discriminatory duty csn have none but
= seriously adverse effect upon tbis in
iustry; therefore be If.
Resolved by the Chamber of Commerce
In annual session, thst the board Of d.
rectors be requested 90 transmit the
vigorous protest OF this body to our Repre-
sentauves IN the Congress of the United
ststes, urging them TO initiate such ac-ion
As Is possible 10 secure an eoIitsbIe al
Jtstment of this question.