The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-18
Tariff Bill Is Reported Back
Without an Amendment.
Chairman of Ways and Means
Makes a Statement.
GIVES THE REASONS
For the Proposed Changes in
Existing Schedules.
One Is the Necessity for In
creasing the Revenues.

washington, March 1s.-Imme-
dlately after the house convened TO-
day Mr.. Payne of New York. chair
man OF the committee on ways and
Wlthout amendment.
Mr- Payne offered a resolution pro-
Vlolng Tor the printing of 10000 con-
les of 1t, $4,000 of which shall he in
., uocuInent form and expressing the
views of the minority. After a GOOD
deal of discussion the resolution was
adopted. %
Inc report accompanying the bill.
WHEN was presented by Mr.. Payne is
made up in the main of extracts from,
! the statement regarding the schedules
%hlch was yesterday given out by Mr..
Payne, but the Introductory portion
~ ~ II Is devoted to an explanation OF
| Ine committees reasons for its course.
Two principal reasons for the read
)ustment of the schedules are given.
The Reasons for IL.
The first of these is that after the
lapse of 12 years since the enactment
OF tne Dingley law many new compli-
cations in the tariff have arisen and
IL is stated that the public demand
mas been confirmed by the inforna-
ton received by the committee since
1t began its investigation
In the second place It is stated that
since the Dingley bill went into effect
large number of foreign countries
nave adopted tariffs with maximum
anu minimum rates. so that SpCtfon
or the present law is not regarded al
sufficiently broad to meet the changed
condition, as these new foreign far-
MS are for the higher rate on a large
part OF our exports. The committee
expressed the opinion that the nevs-
bill is SO constructed that these CON
ditions will be fully met It is stared
that the bill proposes a reduced rate
oH the Dulk OF imported articles.
Was No Easy Task.
The cOro v,1{tfaa
give an idea of the important charac-
ter OF the work in which 1t has been
engaged, beginning with the state
ment that the preparation of the bill
mand for the cutting of rates is re-
ferred to and against this is set the
Republican policy of protection
whose cardinal principle it is stated
is the protection of American indus
tries. and American workmen. against
the difference in cost of Production at
home and abroad
The. necessity for more revenue at
the present time is also discussed at
some length. 1t is asserted that until
the recent depression in business the
revenues under the present laws have
peen suficient to meet the expendi-
lures OF the government and the fact
is pointed out that taking the entire
period from 1897, the date of the en-
actment of the Dingley bill until 1908,
there has been a surplus of receipts
over expenditures amounting to S74.-
555,40S. The total receipts for this
period exclusive of postal revenues
was $6,558.220.264. and the expendi-
lures, also exclusive of postal expenses.
$6,4S3, ,664,S56.
The Industrial Depression.
Comment is then made upon the ef-
feet of the present Industrial depres-
sion and in that connection the COM
mittee says:
ut is the hope of the committee
that with return of business pros
perity the revenues will show a large
percentage of increase and prove en-
tirely adequate for any natural and
economical scale of expenditures"
1t is then pointed out that ever
since the beginning of the present
month there has been an upward ten
dency of receipts. In explaining the
provision for authorizing the issue of
45,O00,000 of additional Panama
canal bonds, the report says that the
belief of the committee is that the en-
tire expenditure for the building OF
the Panama canal should be met by
a bond issue.
Mr.. Payne calls attention to the
great amount of labor involved In the
preparation of the bill now before the
house and he speaks of the great as
sistance rendered the committee by
the department of commerce and la
Dor and the state department