Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-08-07
IOWA INSURGENTS
ON FEW COMMITTEES
THE SPEAKER CARRIES OUT HIS
THREAT TO DISCIPLINE HOUSE
MEMBERS WHO VOTED AGAINST
THE TARIFF BILL.
Chronology of Tariff Act

March 15-conaress Is convened.
March 18-Payne introduced bill.
April 1o-House passed bill.
April 12-senate began considera-
tlon.
July s-senate passed amended
bill.
July e-BiII sent to conference.
July 29-conferees reached agree
ment.
July 31--House passed amended bill.
Aug. 5--Senate adopted amended
bill.
Aug. 5-President signed bill.
Aug. 6, 1soe-New tariff law effec-
tive.
Washington, D. c., Aug. 6-Presi-
dent Taft In statement made public
from the White house last night, gave
his opinion of the new tariff act, which
he designates officially as the Payne
BILL" in accordance with past custom
OF giving first recognition to the franz
er Of the measure in the house of rep
resentatives.
The president declares that, while
the bill is not perfect by any means,
nor ga complete compliance with
promises made, strictly interpreted"
it is, nevertheless, sincere effort on
the part of the party to make down
ward revision and to comply with the
promises Of the platform.
Sincere Effort, Says Taft.
The statement in full follows:
"I have signed the Payne bill be-
cause believe 1t to be the result Of
sincere effort on the part of the Re-
publican party to make a downward
revision and to comply with the prom
ises Of the platform as they have been
generally understood and as interpre-
ted them in teh campaign before cleo
tion.
'sThis Is not perfect tariff bill nor
a complete compliance with the prom
ises made strictly interpreted, but a
fulfllment free from criticism in re-
spect to subject matter involving
many schedules and thousands of arti-
cles could not be expected. 1t suffices
to say that except with regard to
whiskey, liquors and wines, and in re-
gard to silks, and as to some high
classes of cottons-all of which may
be treated as luxuries and proper sub
jects of revenue tariff-there have
been very few increases in rates.
Is Revision Downward.
There have been great number OF
real decreases in rates, and they con-
stitute sufficient amount to justify
the statement that this bill is sub
stantial downward revision and re
duction Of excessive rates.
This Is not free trade bill. 1t was
not intended to be. The Republican
party did not promise to make a free
trade bill.
"It promised to make the rates pro
tective, but to reduce them when they
exceeded the difference between the
cost Of production abroad. and here,
making allowance for the greater nor
NAL profit on active investments here.
believe that while this excess has
not been reduced in number OF
cases, in a great majority the rates are
such as are necessary to protect
American Industries, but are low
enough in case of abnormal increase
Of demand and raising of prices, to
permit the possibility of the importa-
ton of the foreign article, and thus to
prevent excessive prices.
To XIII Discrimination.
'"The power granted to the executive
under the maximum and minimum
clause may be exercised to secure the
removal of obstacles which have been
interposed by foreign governments In
the way Of undue and unfair discrimi
nation against American merchandise
and products.
"The Philippine tariff section have
struggled to secure for ten years last
past, and it gratifes me exceedingly
by my signature to give it the effect
of law. I amS sure it will greatly in
crease the trade between the two
countries, and 1t will do much to build
up the Philippines in a healthful pros
perfty.
THE administrative clauses Of the
bill and the customs court are ad
mirably adapted to secure more uni