The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-15


 In specifically comparing the Italian and American leaving in- dustrias the affidavit sets forth that wages in American silk and rayon mills are four and five times those in Italy. It disputes the claim that wage differentials are offset by the superior productivity of American workmen and ma chinery. Instead, it argues that Italian workmen possess superior manual skill by inheritance. and that Italian mills are now equipped with up-to-date machinery import ed from the United States.
 The affidavit generalizes upon the dangers that any textile pro- ducing country, given a competi- tive advantage over the United Staets, can flood our markets with such cheaply produced merchant disc that our mills would be forced to close. Figures support the statement that Italian looms have a yearly capacity of 300,000,000 yards more than was actually pro- duced in 1883. f
 The affidavit points out that American silk and rayon weaving industries are operating at great CT loss than before the NRA. and that tariff which permits an in- creased influx of foreign goods will have international conse- quenccs." ''.'''''
 The affidavit is accompanied by tables showing importations from foreign countries relative to cost of manufacture in the United States, Switzerland, Italy and Jap- an, and comparative wages in the United States, Switzerland, Ger many, France, Italy and Japan. Of them the affidavit says: Inasmuch as the competitive conditions are similar to those al- ready submitted in relation to the Switzerland, except that the un- centuated in this case because of the extremely low wage rates pre- vailinS in Italy. Destruction of the silk and rayon weaving industry in this country by allowing an influx of low-priced foreign materials would be of international conse- quencc. Raw silk. for example, is one of the largest articles of inn portation into this country and it forms the base on which Japan determines it's purchases of Amer ican cotton.
 In the trade treaty signed on February 27, 1895, between Bel gium and the United Sttaes, the policy in regard to the status of foreign nations under these treaties was cealrly outlined. The Belgium treaty is of the unconditional most favored nation type and the tariff concessions made by each signatory are available to all other countries not practicing discrim- ination.
 "There is certain leeway, or course, for the interpretation of the term discrimination. Never ltheless, the danger foreseen and discussed in previous briefs sub mitted by the committee on legisla- tion of The National Federation or Textiles, Inc. is made more appar- ent by this treaty. Unless negotia- tions in regard to any commodity are made with the country which has the lowest manufacturing cost for htat commodity, the manufac- turcrs in the United States and in all other countries as matter of fact, which have most -favOred-r tion types of treaty are subject to onslaughts of low-priced competi- tion from that low-cost- -produc- tion country.
 "It would be unnecessary for such low-coSt of production nat!on to discriminate against anyone. It's low cost products would, in the majority of cases. displace the product of any country in the world.
 NO action should be taken by the committee on reciprocity infor- nation in regard to any silk or rayon products without first consid- ering very carefully the results of ported products which are increas- ing in spite of the. tariff duties now further lowering the duty on inn in effect, A further reduction at this. time on any fabrics produced in Italy would open the door to flood of competition from other countries also where the costs of production are as low or lower than those of Italy"
 The National Federation of Tex tiles, Inc, is a trade association composed of the following divi- sions: Broad Goods Manufactur- ers' association. Fashion Fabrics council, Underwear Fabrics associ- ation, Tie Fabrics association. Hat Band Mfrs Association of America, Printed Fabric Label Mfrs associa- ton, Woven Label Mfrs associa- ton, Ribbon Manufacturers of America. Raw Silk Importers. Inc. Sewing Thread & Floss industry, Thrown Yarn council and The Up- tonw Credit group.
 The committee on legislation, which sponsors the affidavit. is composed of: Horace B. Cheney. chairman, Cheney Brothers; Ed ward F.. Addiss, Meinhard. Greeff X Co, Inc: Raymond G. Buser. R. c. Buser company; B. Edmund David, David silks, Inc; Nathan Lewis, Kahn &Feldman, Inc; Will liam Menke. Menke. Kaufman x Co. Inc: Walter Neale, Duplan Silk corporation.