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TESTIMONY

TAKEN BY THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE TARIFF

OF THE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

IN CONNECTION WITH

THE BILL H. R. 9051, TO REDUCE TAXATION AND
SIMPLIFY THE LAWS IN RELATION TO THE
COLLECTION OF THE REVENUE.

IN FOUR PARTS. W Yo!

PART IV.

PUBLIC
LIBRARY

WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 165289

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

1899.

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No. 1.-CHAIR CANE.

STATEMENT OF CHICAGO RATTAN AND REED COMPANY.

CHICAGO, January 5, 1889.

DEAR SIR: We desire to call your attention to the fact that we are manufacturers of chair cane and reeds, and that in the manufacture of these goods we annually consume a large quantity of rattan and employ a large number of hands. Since the act of 1883 chair cane and reeds have paid an ad valorem duty of but 10 per cent., whereas it was formerly 25 per cent. We are thus without any adequate protection and desire a specific duty, as since 1883 we have been subjected to a constantly-increasing competition from German and Chinese sources, which is having a serious effect on our business.

Our case was recently presented before the Senate Finance Committee by Messrs. Cowperthwait and Lang, of the Union Rattan Manufacturing Company of New York, and the Wakefield Rattan Company, respectively, and we now earnestly beg you will personally intercede with the committee, to the end that their recommendations as to a specific duty may be favorably reported.

Rattans are now free, which is right, being raw material.

We desire a duty of 5 cents per pound on reeds and $15 per bale of 100,000 feet on chair cane, both of which are products of rattan, in order that we may be adequately protected.

By reference to our argument, presented before the committee, we feel sure you will become convinced of the justice of our cause.

The opposition encountered at the hearing was confined, so we are informed, to a party representing German manufacturers and Chinese importers, whose interests are of course identical, and to Governor Gear, of Iowa, who numbers among his constituents the Fort Madison Chair Company of that State, who are contractors for the convict labor in the penitentiary located at that point. We are menaced by heavy and increasing importations from Germany and China, which will greatly contract the output of our home manufacturers and reduce number of hands employed.

Very respectfully,

Hon. C. B. FARWELL,

CHICAGO RATTAN AND REED COMPANY.

Washington, D. C.

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