The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1893-12-23
THE WAYS AND MEANS BILL
Majority Report Of the Committee
Gwen Out.
Reduction of the Taxes on the Materials OF
Manufactures the First step--Tom
Reed Has u kicls-Consres-
sional Proceedings.


WASHINGTON, Dee. l9.-"The Ameri.
can people after the fullest and most
thorough debate ever given by any
people to their fiscal policy have delib-
erately and rightly decided that the ex-
listing tariff is wrong in principle and
grievously unjust in operation" Such
is the opening paragraph of the
majority report submitted by the
democratic members of the ways
and means committee. The report was
written by Chairman Wilson. 1t was
laid by him before his democratic ASSOC
ciates last night and received their cor
dial approval.
The report says: I'VE have believed
that the first step toward IL reform OF
the tariff should be reduction Of
taxes on the materials of industry.
There can be no substantial and bene-
fetal reduction upon the necessary
clothing and other comforts of the
American people nor any substantial
and beneficial enlargement of the field
of American labor so long as we tax
materials and processescs of produc'
tion. Every tax upon the producer
falls with increased force on the con-
samer. Every tax on the producer in
this country is protection to his COM
petitors in all other countries and SO
narrows his market as to limit the
number and lessen the wages of those
to whom he can give employment.
Every chcapening of the cost or
enlargement of the supply of his
raw materials, while primarily
inuring to tho benefit of the
manufacturer himself, passes, un-
der free competition, Immediately
and entirely to the consumer. who very
soon gets even more benefit out of it
than such reductions seem to carry,
because with the rapid widening of his
market the manufacturer is able to sell
at Il smaller profit. 1t is therefore n
very narrow and short sighted view
which supposes that if we release
the duties on iron ore and
coal and wool and other like articles
for the benefit of those who manulac-
ture our iron, steel, woolen and other
fabrics we are not legislating for the
great millions of consumers beyond
them and the scores of thousands of
laborers to whom they may thus give
steady and we'll paid employment. 1t
is no less narrow and short sighted
view that supposes that n removal OF
the tariff duties on such necessarics OF
industry will inflict any real loss upon
those who produce them in our own
country. The enlargement of markets
for our products in other countries, the
increase in the internal commerce and
in tho carrying trade of our own
n 0Iy.ir, m
market for all these things that will
quickly outstrip anything they could
have under the protective system.
Iron and coal are the basis of mod
ern industry. The abundance and
cheapness OF their supply offers us in
many lines of production the manufac-
the niues of other countries are be-
coming exhausted and the cost of min
ing in consequence is increasing we are
new sources of supply. The discor-
semer ores in tho lake region and OF
foundry ores in several of the southern
states, their convenience for Transports
ton and for the assemblage of mate
rails, the use of the steam shovel in
the cost Of producing pig iron and
steel as to take away all possibility and
danger of foreign competition in
almost every part of the country"
The report continues with an argu-
ment in support of tariff for revenue
only, at the same time dencuncing the
existing tariff rs an extreme system of
class legislation, having no lawful or
constitutional exercise. The argument
is lengthy and exhaustive dealing with
the various phases of tariff legislation
from 1916 and its effect upon
the welfare of the nation and
the industries involved. A reduction
of about one-third is made upon the
larger sizes of plate glass. Iron ore is
free aDd a duty Of %! per cent put on
pig,iron. In the remainder of t:ie iron
and steel schedule substantial red,c.
tions are made. Steel rails are put nt
% per cent, rate calculated to protect
the farmers from monopoly prices. Tho
duty on tin plate is materially les
sencd
The repeal of the sugar bounty is
provided FOR by u gradual oblitcration
which shall not injnre the industry nor
be source of loss of money Mt present
invested. The rates on tobacco.are left
80 high that ample protection is af'
1orded'
Agricultural implements are given to
the farmer free; nlso binding twine and
cotton, too. -.
Inc tax on spurious liquors is put al
double the internal revenue tax on the
same
INC Gotten, INK, hemp, and Juts
schedules reaacilons haYo been IN ac
cordance with the general scheme ol
the elli, ont THESE are not believed t.
De OF such married character MS te
placing of wool upon the free list has
duction of the duties oil
woolen goods. The carpet man
.ha aI.a ,a ,I,at l. s",n ,l,. M NJ, on.1o' ,,, 90 -
suffer from free carpets and woo. TIC
average rate of duties levied under Iii.
,,rrp thn n 3t,,lta .y.,,J, ,