such processes patented. None of them have met with much success, as they injured the feel or strength of the goods. Cheney Brothers have recently solved this difficult problem, and are now treating such goods with a process invented in their own works, which prevents the spotting of silks with ordinary rain water. They call such goods shower proof. After goods are finished they are carefully inspected for imperfections, measured, and wrapped in paper and packed in cases for ship ment. How complicated and numerous are the processes for treating silk goods, may be realized when a piece of goods, piece dyed or printed, is handled its entire length between 50 and 100 times after it comes from the loom; sometimes even more. The foregoing is the barest kind of a sketch of the silk processes; at the same time it is probable that it is too long to teach to little children, and is intended more for the information of teachers. Those wishing more detailed information, we refer to the library of books on textile manufacture, published by E. A. Posselt, of Philadelphia. CHENEY BROTHERS, Silk Manufacturers. SCHEDULE M-PULP, PAPERS AND BOOKS. PAPER STOCK. [Paragraph 632.] F. C. OVERTON, 41 PARK ROW, NEW YORK CITY, WISHES MORE DEFINITE CLASSIFICATION OF STOCK FOR PAPER. SATURDAY, November 21, 1908. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen of the committee, my object in appearing here is to get a clearer wording in section 632 in reference to paper stock of every description. The present law includes grasses, fibers, rags, cotton, jutes, linen, flax, hemp, and manila, coming in various forms. We want the law to so read that it will designate the various things that are to go into the manufacture. It is all waste material. A part of this is old rags and domestic shoddy or wool, which is only suitable to be used in the cheap paper-the roofing paper. And yet, having some small percentage of wool, it is liable to come under a duty. The CHAIRMAN. The committee has had its attention given to that, and we will give it careful attention. Mr. OVERTON. There is another section to which I want you to give attention, and that relates to gunny bagging. Mr. CLARK. Whom do you represent? Mr. OVERTON. I represent the New York Paper Stock Dealers' Association, also quite a number of mills. Mr. CLARK. Are you a manufacturer or a dealer? Mr. OVERTON. We are dealers. We sell to the paper mills. I am arguing for the raw stock, and I want just what the law apparently gives us. Mr. CLARK. What do you care, if you are not engaged in the manufacture of paper? Mr. OVERTON. I am presumed to bring in this class of goods free, and yet an inspector of the United States might say that it is subject to duty. If it is going to be subject to duty, I want to know it, because if it is liable to duty I am liable to lose money. Mr. CLARK. Where do you get most of your stock? Mr. OVERTON. From the Continent; also from England, France, and Germany. Mr. CLARK. Do you have to pay any duty? Mr. OVERTON. The larger part of the business we do is in waste for paper making, which is supposed to be free. Mr. CLARK. Are you simply handling waste? Mr. OVERTON. Yes, sir. Mr. CLARK. To whom do you sell-to the paper trust? 75941-H. Doc. 1505, 60-2-Vol 6- -8 5879 Mr. OVERTON. Well, to whom do you refer? Mr. CLARK. The International Paper Company. Mr. OVERTON. No; we do not sell anything to the paper trust. Mr. CLARK. You have nothing in the world to do with the paper trust? Mr. OVERTON. Nothing in the world. BRIEF SUBMITTED BY FRANK C. OVERTON FOR THE NEW YORK PAPER STOCK DEALERS' ASSOCIATION. WASHINGTON, D. C., COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS, Washington, D. C. GENTLEMEN: The importers and paper mills handling paper stock are satisfied with what they believe to be the spirit or intention of the law as it now stands, but experience has demonstrated that owing to its wording, unnecessary hardship and expense have been entailed both upon the importer and the Government, and indirectly upon the paper mills. The clause "fit only to be converted into paper " causes most of the trouble, and a few examples will illustrate the nature of the trouble with which importer and appraiser have constantly to contend. Paper stock consists, almost without exception, of waste material of some character, whether paper, rags, cotton, linen, jute, hemp, flax, or manila, and may come in the form of new clippings from the fabrics made of the various fibers or old pieces of same, or may come in the form of threads, strings, twines, or ropes, or in the form of waste of various qualities, such as card waste, rove waste, washed flax waste, etc. The quality is so varied that although by far the largest percentage goes into the manufacture of paper, a certain small percentage may find its way into some other use as a raw material, or the appraiser may think that it could be put to some other use, and as the law specifies that the material must be "fit only to be converted into paper" he assesses duty at 10 per cent ad valorem under section 463, waste not specially provided for in this act, 10 per cent ad valorem. It has frequently been the case that an appraiser at one port has passed goods free, while exactly the same grade at another port was assessed 10 per cent. Contracts with paper mills using certain grades of flax-card waste and thread waste have been made with the clause, " duty, if any, to be paid by buyer," inserted, as it was impossible to tell what attitude the appraiser might take, and as an assessment of a 10 per cent duty would frequently more than offset the profit, and as duties of $20 per ton have been assessed, the importer was unwilling to take the risk. Flax waste should be distinctly defined so that the appraiser has no discretionary power to impose duty applicable to tow of flax or waste not otherwise provided for." A low grade of colored jute waste, known as "colored jute caddis," and sold for about $12 per ton to a mill making roofing paper, has been assessed at 10 per cent on the ground that the small sample |