DEAR SIR: In their own defense the workingmen of the cocoa mats and matting industry respectfully present the real facts regarding the condition of their small industry and beg your kind consideration in their behalf as American citizens. The petition submitted asking for a reduction of duty on the abovenamed articles contains many misrepresentations which we are in our own defense obliged to expose and contradict. a review of .which shows the purpose of this old firm of Importers. that purpose is a reduction to the old rate. 20 per cent. which they enjoyed for such a long period it has enabled them to scoes very wealthy at our expense. We were obliged for a long time to witness shiploads of their cooliemade goods landed here in an unfinished condition. finished here. and placed on the market. and we had to remain idle half our time. They wish to resume and continue this state of affairs. and in Justicto us and our families. you should not permit them by giving them the desired reduction. The firm of Darragh & Small claim to be the largest American manufacturers. There Is no factory in Brooklyn.or elsewhere in the United States run under that firm name. thefactory to which they refer is that of Jos. -Wild &.Co.. in which. fromtheir manner of doing business. we believe shey have some slight interest or private understanding. They clalm they employ upwards of 200 men. the fact is. there are not -100 employed. and near all of them have been for a longtime on three and four days a week and some on less. in the face ofthiscondition of affairs they claim their coolymade goods does not compete with the Americanmade goods. they claim their imported matting is peculiar in make andsuperior In quality and can not be produced here. The fact is. all the grades are made here and ofbetter workmanship. as our facilities are far in advance of that of India. but of late years they have taken steps to increase and perfect their facilities by sending ontheir skilled foremen and improved machinery to better train the coolies. They claim that only the labor of eight workmen is involved. the fact is about five hundred is involved and we are entitled to consideration instead of a few wealthy importers who care nothing for the suffering they may bringto men who have devoted all their lives to the business. They claim their imported matting sells for 70 cents a yard. the fact is. it has been offered for 8 cents a yard.
Identified stereotypes
Generalization about the quality and cost of "cooliemade goods" and the conditions of the laborers.