The record-union., 1893-12-22
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.

Taxes.
Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WAsHINGToN, Dec. 2l.-The report of
the minority members of the Ways and
Means Committee in relation to the tariff
bill was submitted to the House this
afternoon. The portion of the report dis
cussing the bill generally was prepared
by Reed. The other members of the mi
nority-Burrows, Payne, Dalzell, Hop
kins and Gear-prepared the portions
dealing with the special features.
The report says: The most surprising
thing about this bill is the fact of the
proposition not to raise the revenues of
1893, which were only S2,000.000 above
expenses. This fact, and the fact that by
this bill a larger part Of the burden of
taxation is transferred from foreigners
and brought to our own citizens, should
always be kept in mind. Had the COM
mittee followed the uncomprOmising
declaration of the party and abolished
protection, giving us tariff for revenue
only, our task in commenting upon the
results of the committees reports would
have been much more simple. SO tar,
however, has the committee departed
from the demands of their National Con-
vention that we are much tempted to bOr-
row a phrase from their own platform
and designate the bill as a 'cOwardly
makeshitt.' were it not a result already
too serious for mere epithetS.
1.-The committee has presented another
tinkering tariff bill, the like of which has
disturbed business so many times in the
last thirty years. Had the bill been for
revenue only, the people of the country
might have seen at glance whether they
desired one policy or the other, and the
question might have been settled once for
all, ana the country attained that repose
and stability on which our prosperity so
much depends"
Going into detail on the bill the minor
ity says: although lumber passes
through the same plant as boards, the
workmen who manage the saws are un-
protected, while the workmen who run
the planes are shielded by protective tar
if taxes. The new plan also involves a
method Of encouraging manufactures by
giving them what is called free raw ma
terials,' so that what goes into the mill
pays no taxes and what goes into con-
sumption pays all the taxes. Un1ortu-
nately it happens also that free raw ma
terial is another mans finished product.
This bill pretends to be a revenue tariff.
and does not raise the reYenue pretends
way. 1t says to the manufactures, for
you we furnish free coal, iron ore, wool,
and the markets of the world. Instead,
1t furnishes new crop Of enemies in the
men who dig in mines and raise sheep,
for IL really creates what its enemies
falsely charge against Republican protec-
ton, a privileged class against which the
mines and the field will both array them
selves, and this privileged class does not
care to be privileged.
''What the exact effect of the proposed
duties would have on the general rate of
wages ofthe country can only be deter
mined by actual test, but it is not diff
cult TO see that it will be very DEPRESSING
Ad valOrem duties, if prices could be eX-
actly determined, would be the fairest,
but, unfortunately, prices are very much
matters of opinion, and inasmuch as the
duty depends upon price, cheat on price
is cheat on duty, and not only is the Gov
ernment cheated but the manufactures is
cheated out of the protection promised
him. How great a deficit in onr re-
sources as a nation is to be filled no one
knows, unless the President, anticipat-
ing in his message to Congress the report
of the Committee on Ways and Means,
shall afford to the committee itself the
wished-for clew.
Against the consideration of such a
bill creating deficit and leaving it un-
accounted Tor, the minority vainly pro-
tested when the bill was laid before the
committee. The bill ought not to be re-
ported without an internal revenue bill
with which to make up the deficiency.
When the scheme of raising taxes by
methods used in time of war is presented,
in addition to those now imposed, there
may be such further reVulsiOn of feeling
as Will accomplish the defeat of this bill.
There Is no need for US to present this to
the country. 1t is presenting itself. In
hundred representative cities, where the
number OF employed exceeds $500. 900
people. fully one-third are without en-
ployment. These were engaged in pro-
tected industries.
'We Will not strive in any way to in-
crease the turmoil which this bill has al
ready created, An end can be put to all
this by the defeat OF this bill, and to
accomplish this every energy should be
bent"
The report characterizes the wooden
schedule as destructive of the woOl-grow-
ing industry, seventh in value of product
among the branches of agriculture. "At
the prices now prevailing in the foreign
markets, our farmers cannot produce
wool without an absolute loss. During
the past year the threat of free wool has
deprecated the value of sheep and wool
in the United States fully $4,000, 000.
Over $500, 600 are invested, and 30, 600
operatives employed in the manufacture
OF woolens, and this industry is offered
up as a sacrifice on the altar of tariff re-
FORM"
Attention is called to the effect of plac-
ing iron ore on the free list. With the re-
suit of this bill there will be loss of over
100000 in revenue. and to admit to COM
petition with American ores foreign ores
produced at from One-fourth to one-tenth
the cost of producing American ores.
Significance Is attached to the tact that
while on hoop and band iron and steel
bar there is 80 per cent. duty, iron or steel
ties for haling cotton are on the free list
The cotton schedules show the same
inconsistency, and lack of knowledge on
the part of the trainers of the bill that
have marked the preparation Of other
schedules.
The removal of the duty from bitumin-
Gus coal Is considered an amazing propo-
siuon, for the reason that coal has little
value except what it gets from labor. 1t
is the most universally prevalent OF all
subjects of American industry.
The plate glass industry is cited as
splendid example Of the benefits of the
protective system. American competi-
ton and enterprise have reduced the
prices one-half in the past ten years.
Twelve plants, with capital of eighteen
millions, employ 5000 men, and support
10000 people.
ENGLAND'S NAVY.