Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-02-15
REVISION OF THE TARIFF
PROFOUND INTEREST AROUSED BY
THE PROPOSITION OF MIR. BABCOCK.
Expressions of Opinion by Leading
Representatives on the
Subject.

Interest is being aroused in the House
over the Babcock bill to repeal the tariff
duties on articles manufactured by the new
pilion-dollar steel trust, and republicans
are expressing varying opinions. Mr.. Bah
cocks republican collea CUES on the ways
and means committee generally deprecate
the bill, and claim that it will not accom-
plish its declared object-that is. to prevent
monopoly and control of prices of steel and
iron manufactures
Mr. Payne of New York, chairman of the
cor nfttee, declares the effect of the bill
Will be the reverse, and would In fact
llghten the grasp of the trust upon the
consumers. He insists that the opening OF
American porrs to the free admission of
iron and steel manufactures would enable
the foreign steel trusts to combine with the
American and control the prices for the
whole world.
the big steel corporations are not affected
py the tariff and would as willingly have
lree trade as not, but that the protective
duties We're imposed for the benefit of the
nanuiacturerS operating a small scale
and that the b: bcock bill would wine them
out. Messrs. Hopkins, Tawney and other
republicans of the committee have ex-
pressed similar views
In opposition to these opinions however
are the sentiments of some other republi-
cans OF prominence. 1t will be noted that
the men who utter them are mainly from
the west, where Mr. Babcock says is found
the present support of his bill.
Mr. MERGERS Views.
Mr.. Mercer of Nebraska, another promi-
nent republican, favored the bill
II have read Mr.. Babcock's bill with a
great deal of interest" he said. ut seems
to me that the republican party is rapidly
approaching a stage where it will have to
fal- pfry,,, -:
For years the republicans have legis-
lated along protective lines to build up
American industries. When those industries
have reached a stage where not only they
no longer need protection. but are in posi-
tion to dictate terms to everything else, it
seems time to call halt"
Opinion of Mr.. Overstreet.
Mr.. Overstreet of Indiana. the author of
the gold standard law enacted by Con-
gress. said today:
The Babcock bill is sound In principle
and wise in policy. The duties proposed to
be repealed are for protection rather than
for revenue. 1t is, therefore, clearly re-
publican policy to discontinue such duties
when protection to both the product and
the labor in its manufacture is no longer
necessary. 1t cannot be claimed that the
interests which will be affected by this
measure want further protection. The
bill is entirely consistent with republican
principles dnC poHcleS, ana should become
a law"
Representative Pearre Approves.
Representative Pearre of Maryland, re-
publican of prominence In the House, also
supports the bill.
1T is along exactly the right lines" said
Mr.. Pearre, "of which opinion I gave earn
est by introducing in the early part of the
last session a bill similar in character, but
more comprehensive.
Il think that the most practicable and
most direct method of reaching the trust
question is through the provisions Of such
a bill. While it is true that 1t does not cor
rect the whole evil of trusts it is the
method nearest at hand to remedy a per-
ton Of the abuses
Mr.. Hemenway Also FavOrs Revision.
Representative Hemenway of Indiana, a
republican member of the appropriations
committee, also favors the bill
1T is good bill and ought to pass" said
Mr.. Hemenway today. while 1 do not ad- |
init that the protective tariff is responsible !
for trusts, still, where a protected article !
becomes monopoly the trust can be dealt |
a blow to the extent of repeating the tariff |
| also concur in the spirit of the Babcock |
bill in this: that here is an industry that |
has been protected until it needs no fur |
ther protection and is able to stand alone"