... Tariff Schedules

PARAGRAPH 99-WINDOW GLASS.

window glass we will not only abandon glass making to the foreign laborer and manufacturer but we will be buying our glass from one of these trusts which are so strongly condemned at home.

I attach two estimates herewith showing the cost of glass in two dwelling houses, which, at the price the retailer obtains for this glass, is only 1 per cent of the total cost of the buildings. Window glass is the cheapest form of construction and can not be duplicated in cost by using any other material. It is far cheaper than wood, stone, brick, steel, etc., per square foot.

When noting the amount of window glass being used it can not be said that prices are high and that the consumer is paying more than a normal price for our product. We hear of no complaints on prices, or tariff, excepting from a few importers whose selfish commercial interests cause them to lose sight of American laborers and the owners of plants who contribute no small part to the building up and support of our country.

Not only does foreign labor make the retention of present tariff imperative, but the low ocean transportation charges work to our tremendous disadvantage. The rates from Belgium to Pacific coast points are about one-third of our freight charges on rail shipments from our factories to the Pacific coast. About one-tenth of our product is used on the Pacific coast.

In conclusion, will say that I firmly believe that if the tariff on window glass is removed or lowered the industry will be destroyed. The glass workers will be compelled to work for impossible wages until such time as they finally abandon their trades, and the factories we own will drift into the junk heap. Respectfully submitted.

J. R. JOHNSTON, President Johnston Glass Co., Hartford City, Ind.

GLASS IMPORTS AND EXPORTS.

The following tables are interesting as showing the amount of American money which has gone to foreign countries during the past 25 years in exchange for glass and glassware and the amount of foreign money which has been expended for our products during a corresponding period. The tables presented do not include all of the foreign glass which reaches our shores, plates or disks, rough cut or unwrought, for optical instruments, which come in free of duty, being an exception, and for this class of goods alone there was imported during the fiscal year ending with June 30, 1912, $383,234 worth, our total expenditure for foreign glass during the 12 months ending with June 30 of this year having been $6,210,625, while the value of our exportations during a corresponding period was $3,494,153. The record of window-glass importations for 25 years is as follows:

PARAGRAPH 99-WINDOW GLASS.

The following statement shows the amount in boxes and pounds, and the value of cylinder, crown, and common window glass, unpolished, imported during July, 1912, at the ports of entry designated:

The following statement shows the amount in boxes and pounds and the value of cylinder, crown, and common window glass, unpolished, imported during August, 1912, at the ports of entry designated:

In the above table it will be observed that Columbus is credited with taking 11 pounds, the value being $6, while Denver imported 57 pounds, at a reported cost of $231. That strikes us as being sort of funny, but it is the showing made in the Government's official record.

The following statement shows the amount of boxes and pounds and the value of cylinder, crown, and common window glass, unpolished, imported during September, 1912, at the ports of entry designated:

PARAGRAPH 99-WINDOW GLASS.

The following statement shows the amount of boxes and pounds and the value of cylinder, crown, and common window glass, unpolished, imported during October, 1912, at the ports of entry designated:

Jobbers' list: B single, at 90-20-8.91-.011 of cost of house, $800; A double, at 90-25-14.02-.0165 of cost of house, $800.

Above glass figured from manufacturers' list: B single, at 90-174-6.89-.0086 of cost of house, $800; A double, at 90-221-10.86-.0125 of cost of house, $800.

Glass in residence of J. R. Johnston.

16 lights, 14 by 22 A. D. S..

2 lights, 14 by 22..

1 light, 14 by 26.

2 lights, 20 by 20.