Letter to the Chairmen, Senate finance and House Ways and Means Committees, Concerning Tariff Decisions.

Dear Mr. Chairman:

The Tariff Commission has furnished me with reports and supplemental information regarding escape clause investigations of Wilton, Brussels, velvet and tapestry carpets -and rugs, baseball and softball gloves and -mitts, ceramic mosaic tile, and cylinder, crown and sheet glass. I have carefully -considered these reports and obtained the .advice of the Trade Policy Committee.

I concur in the findings of injury made by the Committee with regard to Wilton, Brussels, velvet and tapestry carpets and rugs, and with regard to cylinder, crown and sheet glass, and I have issued proclamations promulgating increases in duties upon these commodities.

It is my judgment that the increases in duties recommended for ceramic mosaic tile and baseball and softball gloves and mitts should not be placed in effect. In both cases, the significant increases in imports did not -occur until many years after the duty concessions were granted. Domestic production has not declined appreciably. The level of employment in each industry has remained relatively constant. In addition, Japan, the principal supplier of these commodities, has recently established voluntary quotas on exports to the United States of both baseball gloves and ceramic tiles.

I therefore feel that neither serious injury nor threat of injury from trade agreement concessions on baseball gloves and ceramic tile is present.

Sincerely,

JOHN F. KENNEDY