the saving of the lives of our soldiers. The German contention that American workmen could not produce quality goods was disproved by the conditions existing in this country during the war. We now find ourselves in this position: A fully equipped plant, trained workmen, the American buyers ready and willing to buy our goods, but, from a business standpoint, withholding orders because of the importations of German scissors and nippers, and the promise by the importer to supply them with all their requirements at prices with which the American manufacturer can not compete. In other words, an industry which in previous years could not maintain itself in this country has been taken away from the German manufacturer, has been established in this country, and can be made an essential American industry, but finds itself at a standstill owing to the importation of German scissors and nippers on which a very large profit is taken by the importer by selling them at a price under that of American scissors. Shall it be allowed to return to Germany or shall we be given encouragement to use our energy and money to continue it on a sound foundation and broaden it in its various lines! We believe there is only one answer to this question, and that your committee will not refuse to give to practically a new industry created in this country after many years of waiting sufficient protection to make the manufacture of nippers, scissors, and shears an essentially American industry. We would compare this situation to that existing in the manufacture of aniline dyes. Give us the same opportunity and we will show the same results. WM. L. MOFFAT, Treasurer. BRIEF OF COMMITTEE REPRESENTING THE MANUFACTURERS OF HAIR CLIPPERS AND PRUNING SHEARS, HAIR CLIPPERS. The item in which the undersigned are interested is hair clippers, including what are known as toilet clippers and hair clippers for barbers and personal use, horse clippers, and fetlock clippers. These have not been specially mentioned in any tariff, so they have always been classified for duty purposes as "manufactures of metal" in the tariff of 1909, under paragraph 199, and in the present tariff, under paragraph 167. The rate of duty is now 20 per cent ad valorem. which is entirely inadequate protection. Hair clippers are cutlery and should be so classified, and we recommend that they be specifically mentioned as "hair clippers" or "hair clippers of all kinds" in the cutlery schedule, which under the present tariff is paragraph 128, and that the rate of duty be established at 25 cents each and 50 per cent ad valorem. Our reason for making this recommendation is that large quantities of hair clippers made in imitation of standard American patterns were imported into this country during the last years preceding the war, and since importations from Germany were resumed last year thousands of hair clippers have arrived here and are offered at prices which are even lower than those at which similar goods were sold before the war. This has already materially influenced the sale of American hair clippers, necessitating the reduction of production and the discharging of workmen, and if this competition should continue unchecked it would cripple the industry in this country. Hair clippers are made in Nashua, N. H., Worcester, Mass., Newark, N. J., Providence. R. I., and New York, so it will be seen that workmen in many districts would suffer if the industry should decline. The number of employees making hair clippers may be considered relatively small compared to some other large industries, but the clipper makers should be considered with the general class of cutlery manufacturers and be protected accordingly. Specific information in regard to wages and costs in Germany and Japan we have not been able to obtain, but general information published as to labor conditions in the countries mentioned indicate that costs there must be very much lower than here, and this appears confirmed by the prices at which the finished goods are offered here. Imports of hair clippers in quantity have only been from Germany but no statistics are available, as these goods for tariff purposes are all included under the general heading of "Manufactures of metal." As an indication of quantities imported, however, it may be mentioned that an importing house recently offered 40,000 German hair clippers as available in New York for immediate delivery. But very few clippers have so far come to this country from Japan, but this industry has only recently been started there and indications are that serious competition from there may be expected. The range of prices at which German hair clippers have recently been offered in this country is from 65 cents to $1.25 each, which corresponds to a range of prices on American hair clippers from $1.10 to $2.70 each. Quotations received in New York from a leading manufacturer in Germany within 30 days are as follows: For a cheap clipper, 27 marks each; for a medium-priced clipper, 30 marks each; for a close-cutting neck shaver, 48 marks each. These quotations, we understand, are for goods to be made, so they clearly indicate the competition to be expected from Germany in the time to come. Prices of clippers offered by importers who have the goods on hand may be influenced by the desire to liquidate an investment, but quotations made by a manufacturer for goods to be made we must assume are based on actual cost of production. Now, figuring the German mark at the average rate of 1.6 cents adding 10 per cent for freight, insurance, and expenses to this country and 20 per cent ad valorem, the present rate of duty, and it will be seen that the three figures mentioned above-27, 30, and 48 marks-represent a laiddown value in this country of approximately 56, 62, and 99 cents each. Even anticipating lower labor costs, when the cost of living will further decline here, American manufacturers would not be able to produce similar goods to compete at these figures. It is suggested that under the cutlery schedule, paragraph 128, there be added "hair clippers" or "hair clippers of all kinds," 25 cents each and 50 per cent ad valorem. PRUNING SHEARS. The articles which are the subject of this brief are pruning shears. These are not specifically mentioned in any of the tariffs. Under the tariff of 1909, paragraph 152, they were classified by the collector of customs as "shears" and duty assessed accordingly In the tariff of 1913 they were classified as "shears" under paragraph 128 until December, 1916. During the year 1916 the question of classifying pruning shears came first before the Board of General Appraisers and then before the Court of Customs Appeals and the decision rendered (T. D. 3690) classified pruning shears as "agricultural implements" which come in free of duty under the present tariff. While the war lasted no pruning shears could come from Germany and the manufacturers of France and Switzerland had only a limited output, so foreign competition was not felt here; but now that the German industry is reviving it may be expected that large quantities of pruning shears will be sent to this country, and coming in free of duty would be lower in price than what similar goods could be produced for here under American standards of wages. About 75 per cent of the cost of a pruning shear is labor, so unless the industry is suitably protected it is in danger of being destroyed. Pruning shears for duty purposes should be classified with other shears under the cutlery schedule and pay the same rate of duty, or if specially provided for, pay a duty of not less than 50 per cent ad valorem. The pruning-shear industry is one that has long been established here, the goods being made in Mamden, Conn. ; Cleveland, Ohio; Oakville, Conn.; Newark, N. J.; Clyde, Ohio, and Elmira, N. Y. The goods are made by skilled mechanics who are paid good wages and are accustomed to American standards of living. The industry supplies all sections of the United States, and in our opinion it is important that this country be not dependent on importations for such necessary tools. We have no specific information in regard to wages and cost of production of pruning shears in Germany, but even before the war, when a duty of 30 per cent ad valorem was collected, the imported goods were lower in price than the American, and given conditions as they are at present and the goods coming free of duty, it will readily be seen what a serious menace this is to the American industry. Imports are, as previously stated, from Germany, France, Switzerland, and a few from Italy. As pruning shears have never been specifically mentioned in the tariff but are grouped with shears under paragraph 128 and recently as "agricultural implements" under paragraph 391, no statistics of quantities imported are available. Present selling prices in Germany may be judged by taking two leading patterns, which within 30 days were quoted by a German manufacturer as follows: California pattern, regular japanned finish, with spring and catch, 9-inch, 159.36 marks per dozen; ladies' pruning shear, nickel plated, 6-inch, 255.60 marks per dozen. To visualize what these shears are, illustrations will be found below. Taking the recent average rate of exchange of the mark at 1.6 cents and adding 10 per cent for freight and expenses to bring the goods to the United States and we have a laid-down value for the two patterns above quoted of respectively $2.80 and $4.50 net per dozen, which is far below what similar goods can be produced for here. We suggest that pruning shears be specially mentioned under paragraph 128 with cutlery by inserting the words "pruning shears of all kinds" after the words "scissors and shears," making them dutiable at the same rate which may be established for shears and scissors generally, or, if given a separate position, make them dutiable at 50 per cent ad valorem. We recommend saying "pruning shears of all kinds" to cover not only regular one-hand pruners but also long-handle pruning shears, lopping shears, and tree pruners, which are pruning shears with poles of wood or other material. Representing: CHAS. F. WIEBUSCH, Chairman. The J. T. Henry Manufacturing Co., Hamden, Conn. Boker Cutlery & Hardware Co., New York City. The Clyde Cutlery Co., Clyde, Ohio. The Cronk & Carrier Manufacturing Co., Elmira, N. Y. American Shearer Manufacturing Co., Nashua, N. H. BUTCHER AND TABLE CUTLERY. [Paragraph 130.] J. A. CHRESTENSEN, ONTARIO KNIFE CO., FRANKLINVILLE, N. Y. Mr. CHRESTENSEN. Mr. Chairman, I am here on behalf of the manufacturers of butcher and household cutlery. These items are covered by paragraph 130, Schedule C, of the tariff act of 1913. I have here briefs which our committee has prepared, which I wish. to place on file. Briefly, this committee represents 90 per cent of the manufacturers of the items which are covered in this paragraph. The invested capital of this industry for the year 1920 was $7,921,000. The total production was $8,051,000, and the number of employees was 4,163. These figures, as compared with the corresponding figures for the year 1914, show an increase in invested capital of a little over two and one-half million dollars, and an increase in total production of practically $5,000,000, and an increase in the number of employees of about 1,600. We recommend tnat the tariff law of 1913 be changed so as to include specific and ad valorem duties as previously given under the Payne-Aldrich and the Dingley bills. Our recommendations are incorporated in this brief, and they make some changes in the schedules of the Payne-Aldrich bill-that is, the groupings which in our judgment will tend to make the administration of the tariff much easier and at the same time be more equitable and give the necessary protection to the industry. The CHAIRMAN. You set forth the rates in your brief? Mr. CHRESTENSEN. They are specified in the brief there. The drastic reductions of the tariff act of 1913 caused heavy increases in importations of foreign cutlery, as is shown by the table of imports which we include for the years 1911 to 1914. There was also in 1914 a corresponding decrease in the sales of domestic manufactures and, in consequence, a lack of employment. During the year 1914 there were fewer people engaged in this branch of the cutlery industry than at any time in its history in recent years. Now, of course, the war shut off importations, as you understand. because of the conditions. Since the signing of the armistice importations have increased gradually until in the four months beginning with July, 1920, the increase has been very marked, and indicates, if continued at that rate, the heaviest increase in the history of the business of importations of cutlery of this class. This committee does not desire to take up your valuable time. We have covered the facts in our brief and simply wish to say that we hold ourselves in readiness to appear before you to give any information at any time that we can give. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Chrestensen, what I think would be of the greatest importance to the committee is to know, if you can at this time give it to us, the difference between your production costs and the foreign production costs, or your selling price and the foreign selling price on a competitive product. If you can not give it, that is to say, if you do not know what the foreign goods are being offered at now, what was the comparative difference during the period prior to the war; and was the rate in the Payne tariff law somewhere nearly satisfactory to you? Mr. CHRESTENSEN. At the present time we have no absolutely correct information in regard to the costs abroad and costs here. In a general way only we have been enabled to establish the fact to our own satisfaction that the ratio of costs has increased over and above what they were before the war. Prior to the war the foreign costs were about in the ratio of 3 to 1 between the costs in Germany, where our principal competition came from, and the cost of the same articles produced in this country. Mr. HAWLEY. That is, if it costs you $3 to produce a certain article they can produce it for $1? Mr. CHRESTENSEN. They can lay it down in this country for $1. That is about the ratio. Mr. HAWLEY. That was the rate at the Atlantic seaboard? Mr. HAWLEY. What percentage of your cost of production is labor cost? Mr. CHRESTENSEN. We have always figured in about 80 per cent. Now that is changed somewhat. It is difficult to set an absolutely exact figure because of the differing conditions during the war. But, under normal times, our labor cost was about 80 per cent of the factory cost of the product. Mr. HAWLEY. What rate of wages do your laborers receive? Mr. CHRESTENSEN. Why, in our own factory-and I would say that we probably have an advantage over some of the other factories in regard to labor cost-our average labor cost per man is about $35 a week. Now, we work on a piece-work basis. There are those who make more than that, considerably. There are those who probably do not average that, but as a general average it is about $35 a week. BRIEF OF J. A. CHRESTENSEN ON BEHALF OF BUTCHER AND HOUSEHOLD CUTLERY MANUFACTURERS. GENTLEMEN: This brief refers to paragraph 130 of Schedule C of tariff law of October 3, 1913. This committee represents more than 90 per cent of the manufacture of the items enumerated in this paragraph. The invested capital of this industry for the year 1920 was $7,921,186.69. The total number of employees was 4,163. Corresponding figures for the year 1914 show-invested capital, $5,316 395.49 ; total production, $2,805,218.75; number of employees, 2,483. We recommend that paragraph 130 be changed to a combined specific and ad valorem duty to read as follows: "Table, butchers', carving, cooks', hunting, kitchen, bread, cake, pie, slicing. cigar, butter, vegetable, fruit, cheese, canning, fish, carpenters', bench, curriers', drawing, farriers', fleshing, hay, sugar beet, beet topping, tanners', plumbers', painters', palette, artists', shoe, and similar knives; forks and steels; all the foregoing, finished or unfinished and not specially provided for in this schedule; if imported without handles, or imported with handles of mother-of-pearl, shell, ivory, deer or other animal horn, silver, nickel silver, or other metal than iron and steel, 20 cents each; with handles of hard rubber, solid bone, celluloid, or any pyroxylin material, or other compositions, 10 cents each; with handles of any other material than those above-mentioned, 3 cents each, if less than 4 inches long, exclusive of handle; 7 cents each if 4 or more inches long, exclusive of handle; and in addition on all the above articles 25 per cent ad valorem: Prorided. That none of the above-named articles shall pay a less rate of duty than 50 per cent ad valorem: Provided further, That all the articles specified in this |