New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-16
MP RANDALLS PLAN.

Mr.. RandalIs Tariff bill is valuable chiefly
as an indication of the purposes OF Demo
cratic minority. I'm many respects, II IS not
such a measure as the Republican members OF
the House will be likely to support though IL
has some excellent features which they would
no doubt be willing to incorporate III a Diil'
if they were called upon to frame one. But
the voters who are responsible for the election
of a Democratic majority have turned over to
that party the control of the House and the
majority in the Committee on Ways and Means
has taken pains to deprive Republican repre-
sentatives of any share in shaping It's report
AS Mr.. Randall and his associates cannot sup
port that report without consigning themselves
to political graves, and can hardly sustain
themselves within their party without showing
in what way they propose to diminish inc sur
plus revenue, his bill is submitted as sort OF
rallying point for Democrats who decline 70
ioin in raid on home industry
Yet it cannot be said that the tanf pro-
visions of Mr.. Randall's bill are satisfactory
even to Democrats who believe in protection.
Its provisions as TO iron and steel, as might be
expected in view of Mr. Randalrs home in
terests, are far less Objectionable than those
of the Ozark Lantern bill, and yet it would
perplex even Mr.. Randall himself to explain
why the duty on steel rails should be cut down
to S14 per tom but should not be cut down TO
All per ton. The price in this country is OBJ
yiously not determined by the present duty,
and has not been at any time since the act OF
1888 was passed. Even now, steel rails are
largely imported at points where they can be
delivered from Europe by sea; within fort
night $4,000 tons have been sold for delivery
ON the Pacific Coast Mr.. Randalls reduction
Of duty would only increase considerably the
number of points at which foreign could Ie
delivered cheaper than domestic rails, and Mr..
Mills larger reduction would increase the
number still more. If il is desirable and right
that II should be increased at all-tha. foreign
competition should be permitted to drive
American producers out Of the market at any
noints where they now have the advantage
then it is difficult TO see why that competition
should not be extended still further. One
must not scrutinize too closely the logic OF
measure offered by man in Mr.. RANDALL
difficult position. But before Republican mem
bers can be expected to support such measure
thew will want to know why any reduction OF
certain duties Is desirable, orswhy, II any re-
duction is needful it should not be larger.
Mr.. Randall does not change the duties on
clothing or combing woods. and proposes
single duty Of cents per pound on all kinds
of carpet wool This is a change which can
not be defended it is not in the interest Of
American wool growers, nor in the interest OF
American manufacturers. It's effect would be
to increase the opportunity for fraudulent i'm
postation OF woods without regard 10 price,
| professedly for carpet usc but of qualities
adapted TO use in place of American clothing
WOOL Millions of pounds Of so-called carpet