The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-07-21
LAWN MOWER Makers
ARE PERTURBED OVER
CUT IN TARIFF RATE
PALLADIUM NEWS BUREAU

| WASHINGTON, July 21.-One of
lndiana's important industries has felt
the effect of the senate's recent activi-
tles toward a general downward re-
vision of the rates written into the
pending tariff bill by the finance com
m1ttee-the lawn mower manufactur-
ing interests. This Indiana industry
is centered in Richmond. where two
of the largest lawn mower plants in
the world are located. Another large
lawn mower factory is located in Mum
Gle.
When the lawn mower schedule
came up for consideration. the senate
voted to reduce the proposed duty on
such products from 35 to Is per cent
ad valorum.
The tariff bill in the form it was
passed by the house of representa-
tlVes a year ago included lawn NOW
ers IN what is known as the basket
clause" which carried a duty of *
per cent ad valorum on all products
included therein.
When the senate finance committee
began its consideration of the tariff
decision was reached to withdraw
lawn mowers from the basket clause
and to write into the bill a specifi,
lawn mower schedule The finance
committee, however, approved the
uuty OF 80 per cent on such products.
Makers Perturbed
eastern lawn mower manufacturers
are said to be considerably perturbed
over the senate's action in reducing
the duty on their products to Is per
cent ad valorum, which represents a
reouctlon of 10 per cent over the ex-
lstlng duty on lawn mowers.
IL is expected that lawn mower in
terests in all sections of the country
VIII unite in request that the pro
posed 80 per cent duty be restored
Wher the tariff bill reaches the con-
ference committee of the two houses
Ihe argument which was effective
IN influencing the senate's action in
reducing the duty, on lawn mowers to
10 per cent was that the only impor-
tant foreign lawn mower manufacture
ers. the Germans, were not at this
tlme exporting their products to the
United States; that, as a matter of
TACT American lawn mower makers
never had to contend with foreign
competition in their home markets.
and, under the circumstances. Ameri-
can lawn mower interests did not re-
quire the high protection provided by
the house and approved by the SEN
ate finance committee.
Forsee Invasion.
Admitting that German manufac-
turers are not invading the American
market at this time, and that they
have never had to contend with any
important foreign competition, .Ameri- |
can lawn mower makers. it is said, |
possess evidence that the Germans |
are prepared to ship lawn mowers into /
this country in the event the new
American tariff law would favor them |
IN such a venture. This evidence, it |
is said, includes price lists which Ger
man manufacturers have been send /
ing to American importers in recent
months. also trade solicitations.
American lawn mower manufac-
turers, it is understood, will represent
to the tariff conferees that the Ger
mans are now manufacturing lawn
mowers at a cost considerably lower
than American costs. American in
terests will contend that the senate's
action in reducing the existing lawn
mower rate 10 per cent is an invita-
ton for the flooding of this country
With German-made products, and that
4 1t is sustained, many American fac
tories Will have to close their doors.