Men's Sewed Straw Hats: Report of the United Stated Tariff Commission to the President of the United States (1926)

A governmental report that serves as a scientific publication focused on the investigation of the costs of production of men's sewed straw hats in the United States compared to foreign markets, likely during the early 20th century. The report was produced in the context of the tariff legislation of the 1920s, addressing issues of domestic production versus imports, and ultimately aimed at informing tariff decisions. The document details the findings of an investigation conducted by the Tariff Commission to assess production costs across various countries, particularly Italy and England, which were major competitors in the straw hat market. It discusses the organization and labor conditions within the domestic industry, the types of hats manufactured, and the economic impacts of imported hats on domestic producers. It also outlines the comparability of manufacturing costs, including material, labor, and overhead expenses, revealing significant discrepancies between U.S. and foreign production costs. The report concludes with recommendations for tariff adjustments based on these findings to help equalize competition for American manufacturers against cheaper imported hats.