The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-22
He Denounces the Measure as a
Cowardly Makeshift.
1T VIOLATES THE PLATFORM.
Not for Revenue Only. but to Tear
Down Certain Industries.
Felt by Hungry Workmen-It Pro-
tects Certain Man ufacturers, but In
jures the Great Mass of the People.

WAsHfxGroy Cry. Dec. T-The report
OF tie minority members of the ways and
means committee was submitted 10 the
house this afternoon. The portion OF the
report discussing the bin generally was
prepared BY Reed. The other members of
the minority. burrows. Payne, Daixell.
Hopkins and Gear. prepared the portions
dealing with special features. The report
says:
The most surprising thing about this
bill is the fact tnat ir Is proposed 10 re-
Guce the reyenus OF 1898, which were only
$500, ,01o above expenses. This fact. and
tae fact that by this bill the larger part OF
the burden of taxation Is transferred from
foreigners aud brough. TO our own
citizens, should always be kept
in mind. Had the committee fol-
lowed 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 efforts wculd have been
much more simple. So Ear. however, have
the committee departed from the demands
OF their national convention that We are
much tempted TO borrow praise from their
own platform and designate the bill as "A
cowardly makeshift, were il not that the
results are already too serious for mere
epsthets.
''Ihe committee has presented another
tinkering tariff bill, the like of which has
disturbed business so many times during
the last thirty wears. Had the bill been
for revenue only the people of the coun-
try might have seen At glance whether
they desired one policy or the other. and
the question might have been settled once
for all and the country attained that re-
pose and stability on which our prosperity
so much depends"
Going into the details of the bill the
minority says:
although lumber passes through the
same plant as boards. the workmen who
manage the saws are unprotected, while
the workmen who run the planes are
shielded by protective tariff taxes. The
new plan also involves q method of en-
couraging manufacturers by giving them
what is called free raw materials, so that
what goes into the mill pays no taxes, and
what goes into consumption pays ali the
taxes. Unfortunately it happens also that
free raw material is another mans fin-
ished product. This bill pretcnds 10 be .
revenue tariff and does not raise the reye-
nue.. IL pretends to give protection, but
destroys 1t in every way; il says to the
manufacturer, For you We furnish free
coal, iron ore, wool and the markets
of the world Instead, it furnishes
who dig in the mines and raise
sheep. for it really creates What its ene-
mics falsely charge against Republican
protection, privileged class against
which the mines and field will both array
themselves, while the privileged class does
not care to be privileged. What exact
effect the proposed duties would nave on
the general rate of wages in this country
can only be determined by actual test. but
it Is not difficult TO see that il wiIl be very
depressing.
IAN ad valorem duty, if prices could be
exactly determined, would be the fairest,
but unfortunately prices are very much a
matter Of opinion, aud inasmuch as the
duty depends upon the price cheat on
price is a cheat on duty. and not only is
the government cheated but the manufac-
turer is cheated out of the protection prom
ised him.
"How the great deficit in our resources
As nation Is 10 De filled no one knows,
unless the presidents anticipation in his
message TO congress of the report OF the
committee on ways and means shall afford
to the committee Itself the wished-for clue.
Against consideration of such bill, Gre
atiug deficit and leaving it unaccouuied
for mainly. We protested when the bill was
laid before the committee, and we make
the same protest TO the house and country
The DILL ought not 10 be reported without
the internal revenue bill which is to make
mp the deficiency. When scheme for
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 rs will accomplish the
defeat Of this bill. There is no need for Us
to present this TO the country: IL is pre-
senting itself In 100 representative cities,
where the number OF employees exceeds
2, SDo.0l0 people. fully one-thlrd are with
protected industries. We will not strive
in any way to increase the turmoil which
this bill has already created. An end can
he put 10 ali this by 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 the value OF its
product among the branches OF agricul-
turs. At the prices now prevailing la for
eign markets our farmers cannot produce
wool without absolute loss. During the
past year the threat of free wool has de-
preclated the value OF sheep and wool in
the United States fully $4,000. 600 Over
500. 0oo 90 il invested and 250.0 opera-
tives are employed in the manufacture of
woo.ens, aud this industry Is offered I'D as
a sacrifice on the altar OF tariff reform.
Attention is directed to the effect of
placing iron ore on the free list. The re-
sglt Of this viii be loss OF over 500. .OC.o in
revenue and 10 admit 20 competition with
American ores foreign ores produced a:
from one~iourth TO one-tsnth the cost Of
producing American ores.
; gui6csace i attached 10 the fact that
while hoop and band iron and steel hear
81 Der cent. duty. iron or steel ties for
ha!!ng cotton are on the free list. The
cotton schedules snow the same incon-
ssteacy and lack OF knowledge on the part
Of the trainers Of the bill that have marked
the preparation Of the other schedules
The removal OF the duty on bltuminous
coal - considered an amazing proposition.
tor the reason that coal has little value ex-
cepi Saat 3t gets from labor. Il is ;he
most universally prevalent OF alI subjects
Of American Industry. The plate glass tn
dgstry Is clted as splendid example o.
the benefits OF the protective system.
American competition and enterprise
having reduced prices one-haIf in ten
years. NATL tEe,ve plants. with 4 capital
Of S. 90 go employ 500 men and sup
Io71 1000. people.
In the House.
WssHGxGrox CRY. Dec 2f.-In the
house Boatesle sent 20 TIE clerks desk aad
bad read q resolution questioning the
sataoTity OF B.ouas 10 command the
IL