House Committee Sends Textile Bill to Conferees

WASHINGTON — The House Ways and Means Committee voted Wednesday to send textile import legislation to a House-Senate conference committee, handing industry supporters a setback just weeks before planned adjournment.

The bill, designed to protect American manufacturers from foreign competition, would freeze textile and apparel imports at 1987 levels and limit growth to 1% annually, starting next year.

Sponsors say the measure is necessary to save American jobs, but critics call it protectionism that will raise prices and bring retaliation. President Reagan vetoed an earlier version in 1985.