This serious attack upon our home business has occurred at a time when our own business was badly crippled from the effects of the general business depression. Some of the American mills ran only onethird of the time during the first six months of the year, and the average output of the American mills was not over 50 per cent of their normal productive capacity. The Swedish and Scandinavian mills have advantages not possessed by the American mills. Their cheap labor, as shown above, is naturally their chief advantage. But they also have the advantage of low construction costs for their buildings and machinery. They have large and cheap water powers, and low transportation costs, owing to abundant inland waterways. Their ocean freights are also exceedingly low, as freight is often taken at practically ballast rates. Their wood is also said to be lower in price than the spruce wood largely used by the American mills. In view, therefore, of the magnitude of this industry, and the advantages possessed by our foreign competitors, we confidently look to your committee not to penalize an industry struggling against unequal odds and fighting to maintain the American home market against the onslaughts of foreign competition, and earnestly request the retention of the present rate of duty on unbleached sulphite. I thank you for your courtesy and regret that the illness of an American manufacturer, much better equipped than I to give information to your committee, necessitated the hurried and imperfect preparation of this statement. (The exhibits referred to by Mr. Steele are as follows:) [Norwegian division of the Scandinavian Cellulose Company.] EXHIBIT A.-Wages I, fourth quarter 1907, sulphite factories. [NOTE. In the present table time for meals and rest is in all cases included in the term "shift."] [Translation.] General remark: 25%, 50% Eli General remark: 25% for the Eli For the first 2 hours after the Wood cleaners: Other than foremen. EXHIBIT A.-Wages I, fourth quarter 1907, sulphite factories-Continued. Stokers. Stoker's help. Aii 3.50. Ci 3.12. Eli 3.60. Ai 4.12. A 4.80 (chip Ci 2d stoker 3.25. Eli 2d stoker 3.60. Aiv 3.11. Av 4.23. Aiii 4.66. Avi 4.44. On duty every third Sun- No additional pay for Cii In part Sunday work. Ai For Sundays, 2 kroner addi- Aii On duty every third Suntional for those who are on the 8-hour shift. See under wood cleaners. Ei 25%-50% El See under wood cleaners. Eli See under wood cleaners. Ci 25%-50% D See under wood cleaners. Ei 25%-50% El See under wood cleaners. El See under wood cleaners. For Sunday work, 2 kroner additional for those who are on the 8-hour shift. A Ci |