Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-01-23

going into the matter at this time. He
looks with distinct favor, upon reci-
procity as a solution of the problem
and inclines to the belief that treaties
may be made that will result in an adj
justment of the question to the advan,
tage of the United States
Congressman Haugen of the fourth
district believed the schedules too high
on many articles and favored reduc-
ton, but he expressed the
opinion that such scaling might be ac-
complished through the reciprocity
channel without interfering with the
present prosperous conditions or the
interests of manufacturer or laborer.
He did not wish to be understood as
saying that he would oppose action
along the line of tariff reduction by
the ways and means committee provid-
ed that action might be brought about
without inconvenience to business in
terests. He thought reciprocity the
key to the situation.
Congressman Cousins of the Fifth
district remarked that he understood
that the ways and means committee
had in view the total abolition of the
special taxes imposed in consequence
of the Spanish.American war, which
would afford some relief, and that he
inclined to the opinion that reciprocity
treaties might be framed equalizing
the tariff on highly protected articles
obviating serious objections and at
| the same time causing no apprehen-
sions on the part of the commercial
world. He thought this would be
about all the remedy required at this
session
Congressman Lacey, of the sixth
district expressed views very largely
in the vein of Mr. Hedge. He is OPP
posed to revision of the tariff at this
time. Continuing, he said: THE Ding
ley tariff law is only four years old
1t is admittedly DETECTIVES; it was de-
fective the first day, as is everything
I the creation of man-some things
should have been changed the first
day; some things ought not to have
been in the bill at all, but they are
there and there is no process by
which they may be removed OF
changed without opening up the tariff
question. You cannot open up that
question without disturbing, and that
seriously, the business situation and
unsettling commercial affairs gener
ally. The Babcock bill has many
good points and l would be glad to see
them in operation in the tariff SEIZED
ules, but you cannot open the tariff
schedules to tinker with one schedule
without tinkering with others. L
! would be impossible to draw the line
Open the door and the business inter
ests would instantly say. well wal
and see what congress is going to do.
That would be start toward hedgin.
and retrenchment on the part of thous
ands of business concerns and /
would be easier to increase and aggra
. vate this feeling than to allay it. TIL,
result might be disastrous. There il
not enough in it to justify the hazard
1t is better to suffer little than
great deal. had letter yesterda,
from a man in Massachusetts, VIII
says he is violently opposed to reopen
ing the tariff question, but that h
thinks congress ought at least to re
move the tariff on hides. There yo'
are. Another wants the schedule
2 kept intact except to reduce or remov
the tariff on tea; another, iron an
i steel; another lumber, and SO on, an
: you have a tariff war on hand. TIL
: only safe way, in my judgment, is t
: let the tariff alone"
. Congressman Hull, of the sevent
5 district, entertains views almost dit
: metrically opposed to Mr.. Lacey's. H
: is favorable to the Babcock bill an
: would support it were it to be repor
e ed. However, he would favor co
: rection of the iron and steel schedules
t only, closing the door upon all ouhe
/ applicants for reductions. He believe
e such action would not affect bushes
I and thinks the republicans better d
the revising before the democrat
S have an opportunity to tear the entir
e Dingley bill in pieces. MI. Hull say
e j, Pierpont Morgan is reported to hay
L said he does not care now what
I, done with the tariff on iron and stee
Congressman Hepburn, of tn
e eighth district said: Il would not /
5, in favor of opening up the question
$ the tariff generally unless more re
y son for such action exists than at tt
t. present time" Mr.. Hepburn had NJ
e given sufficient attention to the Ba
II cock bill to warrant him in an EXPIRE
e sion of his views, at this time.
s Congressman Smith of the ninth di
e trict would favor some modification
1t but not if such action would interfel
e with business conditions.
e Congressman Conner, of the ten
district would be disposed to fav,
II Babcocks bill if reported, provide
"a this could be accomplished without O
II. ening up the whole tariff question. F
" believes, however, that there are gre
ID possibilities in reciprocity and strong
If favors action along this line.
s. Congressman Thomas, of the ele
Id enth, has previously expressed h
st views in print over his signature,
t. voring some notifications of the ia
it if. He expressed himself consery
ID lively to your correspondent, howevt
and thought great care should be ia
or en- not to disturb commercial cont
"a tons SO prosperous and satisfaction
IS Business considerations at this tin
n in his opinion, were more importa
in than even modification of the tariff.
a. MAY DRAW A BILL.
In 1glzeesE,Gs7yFr s II
n Lacey Is for Projection of Game
Forest Reserves.