The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-02-01

40 Oh TINS same report also shows that
these imports actually exceed fifty
per cent of the yearly sales in Ameri-
can markets. Further, that IS per
cent of the imports of household table
ware are the products of workers in
Japan; (page q that when we,
through our economic strength, forced
an increase in wages of some 10 per
cent in 1884, page S5) our American
Potteries were permitted, you might
note, to continue in operation only
because the japanese increased the
manufacturing costs of some IL per
page ~.
AS wages represent some SO per
cent Of the total manufacturing costs
page 69) this increase in wages rep
resented an average total increased
manufacturing costof some IL per
cent.
The Tariff Commissions findings
show page 6S) that the increase in
landed costs, duties paid, of the pro-
duets of Japanese workers was 14.4
per cent and the average increase of
all imports was 10.7 per cent.
On Page 55 of this same report the
Tariff Commission shows that, |
quote, "The landed costs of the china
articles for the first half of 1884 ex-
ceeded those for the first half of 1888
by 45.5 per cent. There was a further
slight increase in landed costs during
the second half of 1884"
Here we have a governmental
agency finding that foreign producers
have sufficient control of the sales in
the American market that they can
and did increase the landed costs of
the products of foreign workers some
so per cent, and, yet, this same agency
could not find that there should be any
increase in tariff rates.
This report of the Tariff Commits
sion page 54) refers to the price
fixing control Of the Japanese Pottery
Manufacturers Association without
finding that such price controls are
anything contrary to what they knew
of.
Referring to the increase in landed
costs these bureaucrats make the fol-
lowing comment which l trust the
Committee will make note of. page
SD | quote, During the period of ex-
cessive depreciation of the Yen in
1882 and the early months of 1888,
while Yen prices of Pottery were still
very low, the landed costs, duty paid,
OF Japanese articles in the United
States had been much below the do
mestic costs of production, and this
situation had caused much complaint
in the domestic industry. The policy
of Japanese exporters in thus marked
~ raising Yen prices, at the same time
that Yen exchange was much higher
than heretofore, was no doubt due
chiefly to the desire to increase their
margin of profit, liberal margin on
a considerable volume of sales bring
ing larger net return than very
narrow margin even on decidedly big
ger volume. This attitude may have
been strengthened by the desire to
avoid possible action by the United
States Government in restricting i'm
ports"
The final conclusion Of the Tariff
Commission page ~ should inter
est those who have an interest in
America being Independent and not
subservient. | quote, "The ability of
the domestic producers thus to ad-
vance their prices to meet the in
crease in costs has been due chiefly
to the rise in the exchange value of
the Japanese Yen and TO the recent
policy of Japanese producers of Pot
terry in raising their prices in terms
of Yen.'
Despite these published facts, first,
we were unable to secure any con-
sideration from the Tariff Commission,
and secondly, with, we presume, this
data in their hands these alleged trade
experts saw fit TO reduce the tariff
rates on imports Of Pottery which
rates they publicly state permit the
delivery into American markets of the
products Of foreign workers at total
costs which are less than our costs of
production.
Surely, Mr.. Chairman, the Congress
Of the United States cannot afford to
further entrust this virtual making of
tariff rates to any group Of appointed
officials who show their indifference
to the employment necessities of our
American workers.
! understand that some Of these ex-
perts allege that the reductions in
tariff rates on Pottery, through our
entry into the Trade Treaty with
England, did not apply to the products
Of Japan. Let me state very definitely
that the japanese can and do and have
exported into American markets
household tableware and other Pottery
products which are comparable to and
which do take the place of products
of English and American Pottery
workers.
| noted in yesterdays newspapers
that Mr.. Lubin had stated to this |
Committee that there were some 300,-
600 jobs secured for American work
ers through additional exports as
result Of our entry into these Trade |
Treaties. This may be true. But, did