The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-23
BILL SAID ID BE CRUDE
 AND VERY INDEFINITE 
Report Declares That Farmers Gener- ally Will Suffer By the Proposed Tariff Changes and Favored
 Interests Will Profit.

Payne tariff bill increases the cost of living that it is crude, indefinite, sec- tfonal and prohbitive; and that it Is an open challenge to a trade war with every other nation on earth, are some of the criticisms of that measure made by the democratic members of the ways and means committee in the minority report submitted to the House by Minority Leader Champ Clark today.
 The report is severe arraignment of the revision which the Payne bill proposes. The countervailing duty pro- visions for coffee and petroleum, the maximum and minimum features. the Cuban reciprocity clause, the woolen, glass, agricultural and sugar schedules are bitterly attacked.
 There are many changes--for the most part minor changes says the re- port, "of the Dingley rates, some up and some down. Most of the changes in a downward direction are reductions more apparent than real, the Payne rates being as prohibitive in their re- suits, in many cases, as the Dingley rates"
 Declaring that a tariff is tax paid by the consumer, and that the only function of a tariff law is to raise revenue to supply the needs of the government. the minority members of the committee insist that instead of an increase of taxes, or new issue of bonds, the correct remedy for the growing deficiency in the revenues is the cutting down of the expenses of ba
 Criticism Is Severe.
 Continuing the criticism of the Payne bill. the report declares:
 The whole maximum and minimum tariff scheme as set forth in the Payne bill enables foreign countries to force us to raise the rates of the Payne schedule 20 per cent. which would, aft CT making ample allowance for all reductions in the Payne bill, increase tariff rates on the average much above the rates of the Dingley law, prospect which will bring sorrow and dismay to the great body of the peo- pie. We are most heartily in favor of such a maximum and minimum tariff as will enable our government to nego- tiate tariff arrangements by making concessions to other governments by reducing the rates of our statute when such other countries will make equally ValuaDle concessions to us, the max imum rates should be the ates of our statutes, whatever they are, and the minimum a reasonable rate below our statutory rates; but a 1t stands the maximum and minimum tariff plan of the Payne bill is an open challenge to trade war with every other nation on earth. It is seeking trade with club or meat axe. We are opposed to such an unwise and unnecessary per formance.
 Tn this connection, it may be well to weigh thoroughly our relations with Cuba. Does any sane man suppose for one mo- ment that the great commercial nations, our competitors for the worlds trade, will concede that Cuba is one of our depend ences?' It is thing incredible. To ask that question is to answer 1t.
 Crude and Indefinite.
 ''This bill is, in many respects crude. indefinite, sectional and prehibitive. For example, it will increase the price of hosiery about 30 per cent, and certainly nobody will claim that hosiery is a lux ury in this day and generation. In num- erous instances, the protection exceeds the entire labor cost of production"
 The report maintaining the tariff ar engagement with the Phllppines should be considered in separate measure and not in the general tariff. The claim that the bill Is sectional one, made by the QeInOcrdtS, IS DdSeu ldISely On the cot ton schedule. The report contends that the bill does not lift any burdens from the shoulders of the southern farmer, al- though the manufacturer of cotton goods Is protected by heavy tax, it claims.
 No Relief for Farmers.
 "The treatment of the farmer by this bill Is along the same lines as have char acterized republican methods in the past,' says the report. ''He gets practically no
 
 greater burdens imposed upon them. Ev- cry article of food the laborer must have to live comfortably is heavily taxed; even the salt on his table Is not exempt. This schedule Agricultural products) was evil dently prepared by the same mind which has dominated this b.ll-a mind certainly not unfair to the great trusts.'
 That the bill is sectional one is shown by the failure of the majority of the committee to lift any burdens whatever from the shoulders of the southern farm or. The grower of cotton must sell his product in the open markets of the world. In order, however to benefit the man ufacturer of cotton, the republican party makes him pay heavy tax every pound of it that is exported and comes back into the United States in the shape of manufactured goods. Thus he sells in free trade markets and buys in a pro- tected market. Not only have these bur dens not been lifted, but additional ones have been placed upon him. By lately discovered process, a fabric known as ..mercerized fabrics" is now being made. This is a very fine article of cotton goods. looking very much like silk, and Is larg- iy worn. In order to further enrich the manufacturer and to further tax tn emass- es of the people, a tax has been laid on these goods.
 Tax on Cotton Hose.
 Cotton hose has fallen under their greedy gaze, and the tax on it. already too high, has been greatly increased. Cot ton goods are more generally used than any other class of goods by the masses of the American people. and every cent of duty laid on such fabrics Is an additional tax on the people least able to pay it.
 .'The Standard OH company Is hand somely cared for In the Payne bill as in