TELEGRAM FROM THE WASHINGTON WOOL GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. PROSSER, WASH., March 24, 1920. Hon. J. J. ESCH, Chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Washington, D. C.: The Washington Wool Growers' Association urges your favorable consideration of Congressman French's House bill No. 11641. We do not do this with the idea that it will increase the price of wool, but we are of the opinion that it will have a tendency to stabilize the price, and let the market be ruled by supply and demand, rather than throw us in direct competition with collectors and distributors of old rags, etc. This country is capable of producing all the wool we consume, if the industry is given proper encouragement. This, however, will never be done without some sort of encouragement. The truth-in-fabric bill will, in our opinion, accomplish its purpose, and we earnestly urge its enactment. WASHINGTON WOOL GROWERS' ASSOCIATION, TELEGRAM FROM THE STOCKMEN'S CLUB OF SPOKANE. SPOKANE, WASH., March 29, 1920. CHAIRMAN OF INTERSTATE AND FOREIGN COMMERCE COMMITTEE, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.: The Stockmen's Club, of Spokane, unanimously and emphatically indorse House bill 11641, by Mr. French of Idaho, known as truth-in-fabric legislation. This bill is in the interests of honest merchandising and a square deal for both producer and consumer, and can work no hardship in any honest merchant or manufacturer. Earnestly urge you to actively support this bill. LETTERS. STOCKMEN'S CLUB OF SPOKANE. LETTER SUBMITTED BY WM. G. SCARLETT & CO., SEED MERCHANTS. Hon. JOHN J. ESCH, BALTIMORE, March 17, 1920. Chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SIR: I have just been advised that on Friday, at 10.30 a. m., there will be a hearing on the Rogers bill, H. R. 13073. I understand this bill has a material effect upon seeds. There is also a proviso, which reads: “And provided further, That seeds, roots, bulbs, or nursery stock unintentionally misbranded because of indistinguishability by their appearance shall not be deemed mishranded within the meaning of this act." At the same time it would be well to define "misbranding" as applied to seeds. because seeds are of a peculiar nature, not only from the standpoint of growth, but in appearance; so much so that it is extremely difficult to always read their character. If you will permit me, I would suggest that before proceeding further you secure the opinion of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture. The very nature of the seed business is so delicate and exacting that it is possible to disrupt its whole structure by legislation which is enacted with the best intentions. but without a clear understanding of the character of the business. I remain, Respectfully, yours, WM. G. SCARLETT. LETTER SUBMITTED BY VANE-CALVERT PAINT CO. Hon. JOHN J. ESCH, Chairman of Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. ST. LOUIS, Mo., March 18, 1920. HONORABLE SIR: We are very much in favor of bill H. R. 13073, to protect the public against fraud by prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or transportation of misbranded and mislabeled articles. Yours, very truly, VANE-CALVERT PAINT Co., Secretary-Treasurer. LETTER SUBMITTED BY ANNA R. VAN METER, OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. Chairman ESCH, COLUMBUS, March 19, 1920. House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Washington D. C. MY DEAR MR. ESCH: My attention has been called to the bill known as the Barkley bill, H. R. 2855, which I understand is now in committee. Since this bill provides a penalty for the misbranding of any article offered on the market, it would seem that it ought to interest all home ecomomics workers as concerned with ultimate consumption of goods, and I am quite willing to urge the passage of the bill. Very truly, ANNA R. VAN METER, Acting Head of Department. LETTER SUBMITTED BY DAISY L. LEUBUSCHER. 2688 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, March 23, 1920. Hon. JOHN J. ESCH, Chairman Interstate Commerce Committee House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. * DEAR SIR: The French truth-in-fabric bill is of prime importance to every thoughtful citizen, and I am heartily in favor of it. I am soliciting the support and cooperation of New York Representatives and trust for a splendid victory. Cordially, yours, DAISY L. LEUBUSCHER. LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF COTTON TEXTILE MERCHANTS OF NEW YORK. 70 WORTH STREET, NEW YORK, March 23, 1920. The Hon. JOHN J. ESCH, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: Referring to your letter of March 20 to Mr. P. S. Newell, secretary of the Association of Cotton Textile Merchants, I very much regret that I am unable to be in Washington to-morrow by reason of the fact that business associates from North Carolina have just wired me that they are to be in New York and require my presence here. From your letter of March 20, it also appears doubtful whether you will be able to call upon me to-morrow, and it will therefore doubtless be more convenient for you as well as for me if I can appear at some subsequent hearing on these bills. However, I have asked Mr. Newell, our secretary, to be present at the hearing and to keep us informed of the way the situation develops. This association is very much interested in the legislation proposed and desires to be of every assistance to the committee in framing a bill that will prevent deception and yet will not hanper industry in a way that will be injurious to the customer and to the manufacturer where no attempt is made in any way to deceive the consumer. We have studied the matter for some weeks and it seems to us a very complicated one in that certain remedies proposed to correct one fault may by their language upset customs in the business and trade which are advantageous to the consumer as well as to the producer. Particularly is this so as regards trade descriptions of goods which have been in use for 15 or 25 or more years, and have come to have in the minds of everyone using them a distinct meaning which may be different from the strictly technical meaning of the same terms. However, we do not wish to burden you with any argument on the bill in this letter, but merely desire to explain to you the care with which we have investigated the subject and our deep interest in it. May I ask your clerk to keep Mr. Newell, as secretary of the association, informed as to the hearings to be held in the future. I shall be very glad to remain subject to your call if I may be of assistance to your committee in its work. Very truly, yours, S. F. DRIBBEN, Chairman Fabric Committee. LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF WOOLEN AND WORSTED MANUFACTURERS. NEW YORK, March 23, 1920. Hon. JOHN J. ESCH, Chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Washington, D. C. SIR: Having had the pleasure of meeting you at the hearings before the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce on proposed labeling legislation last week, I am venturing to submit a few facts concerning the line-up of the woolen and worsted industry in opposition to the French and other radical labeling bills and in support of the Rogers bill. There are two general associations in the woolen and worsted industry: 1. The National Association of Wool Manufacturers, of Boston, of which Frederic S. Clark, president of the Talbot Mills, North Billerica, Mass., is president, and Paul T. Cherington, secretary and treasurer. 2. The American Association of Woolen and Worsted Manufacturers, of which George B. Sanford, of Sanford & Russell, New York, is president, and J. J. Nevins, secretary and treasurer. Both of these associations have appointed committees to deal with the general subject of the proposed legislation, and each of these committees has separately prepared briefs and exhibits. If conformable with your plans and program, it could be so arranged that the National Association should have an opportunity to present its case first, followed by the case for the American Association, and that followed by resolutions passed by the latter association, presented with a brief statement by the president. Such a procedure would form a natural sequence of events. The case for the National Association will stress the manufacturing aspects of the problem, while the case of the American Association will deal more particularly with the merchandising of the product. I am sure you will not misunderstand the purpose of this letter, but will appreciate that it is written with the idea of informing you as to the most logical plan of procedure agreed upon by the two associations in the interests of a clear presentation of the case, and is submitted merely in the hope of aiding you in preparing your program for the continuance of the hearings to-morrow morning. Respectfully, J. J. NEVINS, Secretary. LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE WISCONSIN LIVE STOCK BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION. MADISON, WIs., March 30, 1920. Congressman JOHN J. ESCH, Chairman of Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. ESCH: The stockmen of Wisconsin are interested in the proposed truthin-fabric legislation They, of course, are both consumers and producers of wool. It will interest you to know that Wisconsin annually produces between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000 pounds of wool which, in quality, is equal to any, and even surpasses many, of the medium wools of this country. Wisconsin sheepmen are firm in their belief that wool growers of America produce wool of as good quality as any country and that with the adoption of similar manufacturing practices woolen goods of the best grade could be made from it. It is their opinion that the practices of some of our manufacturers in mixing a large percentage of shoddy with virgin wool in the making of their fabric is responsible for the too general feeling that American wools are unsatisfactory for the manufacture of high grade goods. They appreciate that at the present time the term "all wool," as applied to manufactured fabrics, may mean that the fabric is all shoddy or at least very large percentage of shoddy. They realize that the average consumer generally believes that "all wool" means virgin wool, but that the fact is that a considerable percentage of the raw material used in making all wool cloth and clothing is shoddy and not in reality virgin wool. They confidently feel that the American inventive genius can and will devise tests for determining accurately the amount of virgin wool and of shoddy in goods. As consumers they believe that the public is entitled to know what it is buying in fabrics as well as in foods and as producers they feel that they have a right to insist upon fair competition-which means that purchasers of clothing may know when they are getting wool and when shoddy. You may rely upon Wisconsin sheepmen to back you in any movement which shall aid the consuming public to secure cloth and clothing as represented. We feel that we may count upon Wisconsin Congressmen to support legislation which are in the interests of consumers and producers of wool. Very truly, yours, W. L. HOUSER, President. P. S.-The officials and members of the Wisconsin division of the Fleece Wool States Growers' Association are also fully interested in this appeal. At a meeting of the directors of that organization, held here yesterday, we were asked to convey to you their wishes on the subject. LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE WASHINGTON WOOL GROWERS' ASSOCIATION. Mr. JOHN J. ESCH, PROSSER, WASH., March 30, 1920. Chairman Interstate and Foreign Committee, Washington, D. C. MY DEAR SIR: You have received a telegram from the Washington Wool Growers' Association urging the passage of the truth-in-fabric bill. There is another matter that on behalf of the wool growers of this State I would like to call to your attention. At this particular season of the year wool buyers and wool speculators always take advantage of every opportunity to bear the wool market. They are now circulating through the West, and as far as I have been able to learn have not made a price on wool to the growers. They claim as their reason that the British Government for the past two months has dumped a considerable quantity of wool on our markets, some of the coarse braid wool going as low as 16 and 17 cents and some of the inferior fine wool selling as low as 35 and 37 cents. This wool, no doubt, is not comparable with our wool in quality, but, nevertheless, the effect is the same. It is going to result in the wool growers in this country losing thousands of dollars and the consumer will not profit. It is generally supposed that the wool growers are making fabulous profits. This impression is wholly erroneous. If statistics were obtainable, I feel sure that the percentage of failures in the sheep industry would far exceed the average of failures in any other line of agricultural pursuits. There is a tremendous hazard attached to the sheep industry. One storm might eliminate a man from the business entirely. Our western country is capable of carrying a greater number of sheep than it is now carrying, but it is difficult to encourage the herdsmen to increase their bands with such erratic market conditions. If your official capacity will permit you, I would like to ask on behalf of the Washington Wool Growers' Association that you make an investigation of this matter and see if it can not be remedied. Very truly, yours, 177735-20- -34 J. F. SEARS, Secretary-Treasurer. LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE NATIONAL HOUSEWIVES LEAGUE (INC.). Hon. JOHN J. ESCH, NEW YORK, N. Y., April 2, 1920. Chairman Interstate Commerce Committee, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: The National Housewives League (Inc.) has indorsed the Barkley bill. This organization has members in every State in the Union and complete organization in many. It was organized in 1911 and its work is educational, constructive, and defensive for the protection of the American home. It is therefore composed of a body of women trained in home and commercial economics. We believe that the consumer should have the same protection when buying fabrics as when buying food, and therefore urge upon your committee the passage of this bill. Asking that you present this letter at the meeting of your committee, I am, JENNIE DEWEY HEATH, Mrs. JULIAN HEATH. LETTER SUBMITTED BY THE WINCHESTER WOOLEN CO. Hon. JOHN J. ESCH, NORWICH, CONN., April 9, 1920. Chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, Washington, D. C. SIR: The testimony offered to the investigating committee on truth-in-fabric legislation has so clearly proved the advantageous use to which the product of woolen rags and clippings is devoted, that further arguments would be cumulative and therefore useless. During the last few days of the hearing, however, several statements have been placed on record by the protagonists of the labeling bills, and for lack of time or opportunity, these do not appear to have been refuted or modified before the committee. Without entering into a discussion on the pros and cons of the principles involved in the labeling we confine ourselves to what appear to be gross inaccuracies and willful misstatements. 1. We remind you of the statement of J. F. Walker, president of the Fleece Wool Growers (hearing Mar. 31), and repeated by M. Q. Macdonald (hearing Mar. 31). These gentlemen charged that the obstacle to the producer (of wool) has been that of the unfair competition to which he has constantly been subjected by the secondhand product of his labor, call it shoddy or reworked wool. Both these witnesses instanced the advertisement of "Newool." These false interpretations of a trade mark or label, which we refuted by telegram of March 31, are typical of the protagonists' methods of attacking reworked wool. These attacks are utterly baseless, and the only concrete evidence they have produced has been proved false and can only have been introduced to mislead the public. The charge of misrepresentation has in this case a far more important effect, however; it distinctly indicates that the protagonists of labeling legislation themselves, although presumably experts in virgin wool, either can not distinguish virgin I wool from shoddy, or in their search for truth deliberately issue misstatements without troubling to investigate. 2. Representative French in introducing his bill, March 26, compares the rights of the public and the manufacturer each to know the "contents of an article that is offered for sale." These are not parallel rights in this case. "The manufacturer would not think of buying a bag of or containing wool without looking to see whether it was virgin wool or woolen rags.' Note, first, that the contents of the hypothetical bag all consist of wool (Representative French's version) irrespective of its condition. Second, the manufacturer would not think of buying a bag of virgin wool without looking to see that the quality of the virgin wool suited his requirements. This is necessitated by his service to the public as an honest purveyor, and the suitability of the material for his machinery. This latter selection is impossible to the public, due primarily to his inability to judge, and subsequently to his lack of understanding of the manufacturing processes. There are to-day virgin wools used in the manufacture of woolen fabrics that are worth only 25 cents per pound, in contradistinction to reworked wools woven into fabrics and worth $1 per pound. |