Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-10-11
MAJORITY REPORT.
Report OF the Majority OF the Senate n
nance Committee on the Tariff Ell.

Report OF the Majority OF the SENATE Ea-
nance Committee ON the Tariff ls.ii.
WASHINGTON, Oct 5.-The majority report OF
the Senate Finance Committee, in its report on
the substitute Tariff Dih, declares that the de-
mand for a careful and thorough revision OF the
revenue laws is imperative: First to red ce
the National revenues, which are now excess
i've; second. to protec. 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
incongruities which have been from time 70
time discovered in the tariff schedules OF which
rave been created by erroneous decisions OF
the Treasury Department; fourth, to secure
the proper readjustment and equalization OF
tariff 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 industr es
which are now suffering on account Of the in
adequate rates LEVIED on competing products.
The report attacks the policy OF the Admins
tration as tending to magnify the uneaSiness
felt regarding the financial situation, and ex-
presses the conviction OF the inadsquacy OF the
House bill as . remedial measure for the
reasons: First that it would probably increase
instead OF reducing the revenue: second, that 1t
provides no remedy for differentiation, but on
the contrary invites and gives immunity TO
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
tho existing laws
the greatness G< the National industries is
referred to and the peril these interests would
be placed in should the Mills bill be enacted
into la~.
OF free wool the majority says: I'VE have
hoa f1r-a dr;cN 49, ha,
United States that in any tariff revision such
reductions from the present revenue have been
invited as TO encourage all fairly and justly re-
garded reduction All abrupt ind radical
changes which might endanger enterprises
and injuriously affect the 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 to put wool on the free
list Wool has been duti able since 1916 and
through all the tariff mutilations which have
taken place since no suggestion has been made
by any political party up to the Inauguration
of the present Administration for the removal
OF duties. The wool growers of the country
produce annually SO,0o0,t90 pounds of wool
valued at 500 00,0CO. They supply Hine-tenths
of the clothing wool used by American manu-
fGcturcrs, and they have raised the grade
20 the first rank among the wool pro-
ducing countries Of the world. Those who have
by their patient labor by intelligent efforts built
up this great industry and rely for security up
on the protection of present revenue arrange
ments are certainly entitled TO fair treatment
and reasonable consideration. They are re-
fused either by this proposal In selecting
these branches Of industry for the radical
changes which free trade theories enforce the
President was disposed to have il thoroughly
understood in this country and abroad that
their acceptance of these theories is complete
and they intended to put the axe to the protect
i've system. It will be noticed that in 1910.
after fourteen years OF revenue tariff. the
total production of wool was $685.
29l pounds or 1t pounds per capita
while in 1884, after twenty-four years OF pro-
lection, the total production had increased to
301,OO1OO pounds or So pounds per capita. The
increase iustifies the policy OF anordng this
important agricultural product adequate pro-
lection The development OF the wooden man
ufacIurers in the United States has been ar
rested by the inadequate duties that were i'm
posed upon manufactures OF wool b. the act of
March = 1883, which, taken together with that
erroneous classification OF manufactures of
worsted have led to greatly increased inn orta-
ton from England, Germany, France and Bel
GUM. 1t is only by the maintenance OF the
American system that the operatives in Amer
lean wooden mills can hope to retain the ad-
vantage In respect Of wages which they have
France.
The majority treats at length upon the ad-
vantages of 4 home market for farm products
arguing that it is for the highest interests OF
the American farmer that the number OF our
food consumers rather than the food producers
should be increased and that the general pros
perity of all should be secured. 1t is true, IL
says that the decline in prices of agricultural
products has been very great, but the result of
these when measured by the value OF the
clothing, farm utensils or other necessities Of a
farmers life, is much greater now than in any
of the years preceding 1860.
The majority defines free trade country as
one which does not impose protective duties
upon Importations.
The majority denies the charge that war
tariff is being maintained in time OF profound
peace, and expresses the opinion that the selec-
tons IN the House bill, intended to modify ex-
listing laws relating to the tax on distilled
spirits, are certain to open wide the door to
fraud in the collection of taxes on distilled
spirits.
In conclusion, the report says: 1.-THE excess
i've duty OF from to q cents per pound now
imposed upon sugar adds u considerable sum
to the daily cost OF living OF cry family in the
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 upon
this important article of food have not success
fully developed the sugar producing industry OF
the United States. The great natural ad-
vantages which the producers OF cane
sugars in the tropical islands have over
those OF the United States preclude do
nestle competition upon equal terms. II it
were not for the fact that parties interested in
the production of sugar from sorghum or beets
are confident OF the rapid development OF
these industries in the United States, the
committee would recommend a 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
which could be made in our tariff schedules
Your committee has considered numer-
Gus suggestions for the repeal of all
internal revenue taxes and the abolition OF the
entire internal revenue system; but they deem
the adoption of this course ut present wholly
impracticable and unwise. not Only because the
repeal of these taxes would create u large de-
felt, but forThe further reason that the taxes
levied on distilled spirits used as beverage
and on beer should be retained and the legis.I-
ton 20 protect American dairy products frUm
fraudulent limitations should be enforced"
Brutal Prize Fight.
NEW YORK, Oct Jake Lane, of Brook
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