The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-04-06
Tariff Revision Proposition
Handed Representatives.
THIS PLAN BY DAVIDSON.
Series Of Hearings Are Suggested in
a Resolution Introduced by the
wisconsin Man.

Washington, April Am opportunity
is presented for the republican leaders
in the house; through the committee on
WAYS and means, to ascertain what the
facts are with regard TO public senti-
ment on tariff revision.
This opportunity is afforded through
resolution introduced in the house to-
day by Representative James III. David
son of Wisconsin for an inquiry by the
committee into the facts, such inquiry
to be made by the ways and means COM
mttee during the recess of congress fol-
lowing the present session.
The object of Mr.. Davidson's resolu-
ton, as stated by the author himself, is
to make a practical test of the senti-
along lines that will be more effective
than the constant clamOrings of the
Massachusetts representatives for chang
es in the tariff that will give Mas
sachusetts manufacturers free raw ma
terials. The Massachusetts republicans
now have something to consider besides
mere generalities.
Mr.. Davidson's resolution instructs
the committee on ways and means to
sit during the recess of congress at
such times and places as may suit the
committee or any subcommittee thereof.
to consider whether conditions have so
changed that the public interest de-
mands readjustment of the present
rates of duty, and acquire further in
formation as to the application of the
existing tariff schedules to trade con-
ditions in different sections of the Unit
ed States"
The committee also is instructed to
give public hearings to such persons as
shall desire to be heard, and to furnish
the members of the house printed copies
OF the hearings. The committee also is
instructed to make a full report of its
proceedings, by bill or otherwise, with
in ten days after the meeting OF the
second session of the present congress,
next December
Representative Davidson, in giving the
reason for the introduction of this reso-
luton, refers to the present activity
bn
members and the recent correspondence
between Representative Mccall of that
state and Chairman Payne of the ways
and means committee, in which Mr..
Payne expressed the opinion that there
is at present no urgent demand for
tariff notifications
Mr.. Davidson believes his resolution
is in line with the last republican ma
tional platform, in that it would aseer-
tain whether conditions in production
have so changed as to make changes in
the existing tariff law necessary or de-
sirable. I'd
Mr.. Davidson agrees with other re-
publican members from the northwest
in rejecting the Stree raw material cam
palgn' of the Massachusetts manufac-
turers. He asserts that if there is
genuine demand for notifications in the
tariff or a general revision of the tar
if law, the facts would be brought out
in the hearings proposed under the reso-
luton.
The proposition of the Massachusetts
republicans for bringing up the tariff
question at the joint republican caucus
tomorrow has been met by objection
that the call for that caucus precludes
the discussion of such questions, as the
meeting is solely for the purpose of
electing congressional committee The
Massachusetts men, therefore, decided
today to abandon their project for to-
morrow night, but they will continue
their efforts to secure signatures to
call for a republican caucus, and later
on may hold meeting of such sgners
as they can secure to determine upon a
plan of campaign.
While the general impression is that
the ways and means committee will
not be hasty in reporting back the
Davidson resolution, the measure. itself
gives opportunity for bringing before
the house by speeches in that body the