Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-10-11
MAJORITY REPORT.
Report of the Majority of the Senate i
nance Com NIT oe on tho Tat fr BILL


the substitute Tariff bill, declares that the de-
mand for careful and thorough revision of the
revenue laws Is Imperative: First to red uce
the National revenues, which are now excess
I've; second. to protect honest importers and
domestic producers from the disastrous con-
sequences resulting from fraudulent under
valuations on imported merchandise on
which advalorem rates Of duty are levied;
third, to remedy the defects, anomalies and
1ncongruities which have been from time to
time discovered in the tariff schedules or which
have been created by erroneous decisions Of
the Treasury Department; fourth, to secure
the proper readjustment and equalization OF
tar1n rates rendered necessary by modified
business conditions, improvements in methods
OF production radical changes in prices or by
new elements or sources of composition; fifth,
to give relief and protection to many industries
which are now suffering on account OF the In
adequate rates LEVIED on competing products.
The report attacks the policy of the Admins
tration al tending 90 magnify the uneasiness
felt regarding the financial situation, and e1-
presses the conviction OF the inadequacy Of the
House bill as remedial measure for the
reasons: First, that it would probably increase
instead OF reducing the revenue; second, shat it
provides no remedy for differentiation, but on
the contrary invites and gives immunity 60
fraud by substituting ad valOrem for specific
duties; and third. that it does not remedy any
OF the inequalities or cure any OF the defects OF
the existing laws.
The greatness % the National industries is
referred to and the peril these interests would
be placed in should the Mills bill be e@actea
into Law.
o. free WOOL Che majority says: esWe have
been recently advised by the President of the
United States that in any tariff revision such
reductions from She present revenue have been
invited as to encourage all fairly and JUS ly re-
garded reduction. ALI abrupt and radical
changes which mighs endanger enter prises
and injuriousi8 affect che interests of labor
dependent upon their success and continuance
are not contemplated or intended.' There can
be no better test OF the injury OF these high
tariff suggestions than 80 put wool on the free
list. Wool has been duti able since 1916 and
through all the Sarif mutilations which have
taken place since no suggestion has been made
by any political party up to the inauguration
OF the presens Administration for che removal
OF duties. The wool growers OF che county
produce annually S0O,00O,OO0 pounds OK wool
valued at 500 OoO,oO0 They supply nine senths
OF the clothing wool used by American manu-.
facturers, and they have raised che grads
20 the first rank among che wool pro-
dacing countries OF the world. Thoee who have
by their patient labor by intelligent effOr built
up this great industry and rely Tor security up
on the protection OF present revenue arrange.
ments are certainly entitled 80 fair treatment
and reasonable consideration. They are re-
fused either by this proposal. in selecting
these branches OF industry for she radical
changes which free Grade theories enforce the
President was disposed to have It thoroughly
understood in this country and abroad that
their acceptance of these theories is complete
and they intended 60 put the axe to Che protect
Qve system. 1T will be noticed that in 1910,
after fourteen yasrs OF revenue sarif1, che
total production OF wool was %, e6A,-
291 pounds or fS pounds per capita,
while in 1884, aftef ewenty-four years Of pro-
lection, the total production had increased 60
3O7,OOo,o 900 pounds or SO pounds per capita. The
increase justifes che policy of anording this
importanS agricultural product adequate pro-
lection The development of the wooden man
ufacturers On the United States has been NJ
rested by the inadequate duties that were i'm
posed upon manufactures OF wool by che act OF
March 2, 1885, which, Saken together with that
erroneous classification of manufacturer Of
worsted have led to greatly increased importar
ton from England, Germany. France and Bel
GUM. It is only by the maintenance of thu
American system that the operatives in Amer.
lean WOODEN mills can hope 70 retain the adj
vantage in respect Of wages which xhey have
over tho woskingmeno OF Englends Germany an(
France.
The majority treats as length upon the ad
vantages Of a home market for farm products
arguing thar fs Is for the highest interests OF
Che American farmer that the number Of our
GOOD consumers rather than Che food producers
should be increased and that the general pros.
peritg OF all should be secured. 70 is true ii
says that the decline in prices Of agricultural
products has been very crest, bat the result OF
these when measured by the value OF The
clothing farm utensils or other necessities Of
farmers life, is much greater now than in any
d>9 the years preceding 1891
The majority defines q free trade country as
@Ae which does not impose protective duties
Apon lmportations.
The majority denies Che charge chat o war
tariff is being maintained in time o. profounc
peace and expresses the opinion that the selcr
lions In the House bill, intended to modify ex.
listing laws relating to the tax on distilled
spirits, are certain to open wide the door ia
fraud in the collection Of taxes ON distilled
spirits.
In conclusion, the sepors Says s.The excess
i've duty OF from to 81 cents per pound NOV
imposed upon sugar adds a considerable cum
20 the daily cost Of living of cry family II, this
United States, where in most cases the cost
OF sugar is greater than the cost of bread. The
high rates of duty which have been levied ucon
this important article of food have not success.
IuIly developed the sugar producing industry OF
she United States. The great natural ad-
vantages which the producers of cane
sugars in the tropical islands havA over
those Of Che United States preclude do.
mestic competition upon equal terms II IL
were not for the fact that parties interested in
the production of sugar from sorghum or beess
are confident of the rapid development OF
these industries in the United States. che
committee would recommend still greater
reduction in the rate OF duty upon sugar as
the advantages OF this reduction would be
felt throughout larger circle than any other
Your committee has considered numer.
Gus suggestions for the repeal of all
internal revenue taxes and the abolition Of Che
entire internal revenue system; but they deesn
the adoption OF this course at present wholly
impracticable and unwise. not only because the
repeal OF these taxes would create large de-
hcit, but for the further reason that the taxes
levied on distilled spirits used as a beverage
And on beer should be retained and the leeisla-
Zion to protect American dairy products frnm
fraudulent limitations should be enforced"
Brutal Prize Fight.
New YORK, Oct. 4-Jake Lane. of Rrook.
lyn, and Jimmy Collins, of Newark, N. J..
fought nine terrific rounds on the turf at
Bensonhurst, Long Island, this morning.