The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-04
TARIFF BITTERLY SCORED
BY SENATOR CUMMINS


Des Moines. Iowa. Aug. S.-Golng after
the tariff and its makers with a big stick.
Senator Cummins made the keynote
speech at the State Republican conven-
ton to-day as temporary chairman.
THE Republican party cannot endure
permanently half progressive and half
standpat, he said. I do not expect TO
see it either defeated or dissolved. but il
must speedily become all progressive or
all standpat
There are many Democrats who are
distinguished for their wise and broad
views upon public affairs, but the large
majority OF the leaders OF the Demo-
cratic party are incapable of making or
administering laws for a country like
ours. for they invariably find in the Con-
stitution an insuperable obstacle in the
way Of doing the things which are i'm
perauvely demanded. and which. II done
at all. must be done by the general gov
eminent.
Allegiance TO Protection.
There Is not a Republican anywhere
who does not yield to the protective sys-
ter unreserved' and unwavering allie
glance. Aldrich, Lodge, Hale. Cannon.
Payne. and Dalzell may be its sincere
and earnest advocates. but in zeal for its
perpetuation and in the eloquence Of its
defense they cannot surpass Nelson.
Clapp. Beverage, La Toilette, Dolliyer.
and Bristow.
/ believe that 50 Republicans in every
JOG desired a revision that would keep
the faith and accomplish the purpose. I
believe that the President wanted 90 full
III the PROMISES Of the party and 10 make
good fis own declarations, but the lead
Srs Of botA the House and the Senate
refused 10 recognize the party pledge.
refus55 to be guided by the rule which
had been announced. and forced through
Congress a tarifr biz without even the
pretense o. attempting 10 ascertain. or
Of applying when ascertained. the stand
ard which the party had established.
The bill made many reductions and
many increases-but the reductions were
Of little or no avail. for they left the
duties still far above the difference in
cost OF production and therefore permit
the protected manufacturers not only to
charge existing prices. but 10 lift them
still higher. and the increases were. in
nearly every instance. not only without
reason in fact, but without defense in
debate
IF there had been an honest attempt 10
fix duties according to the cost Of pro-
duction, might have yielded my view on
the question OF fact. but there was no
such attempt, and 1, for one refused to
follow. and would refuse again to fol-
low Aldrich, Hale. Lodge. Cannon. Payne.
and Dalzell into a sneering. contemptu-
Gus, open population OF my party plat
form.
Not Republican Term.
1T is not Republican measure. al
though passed by Republican votes. for
the men who are chiefly responsible for
it thought more OF swelling the over
grown fortunes OF their intimate friends
than they thought Of the party prin-
Tles. the party pledge, or the welfare
Of a long-suffering people.
1T is claimed that the average tax unon
dutiable imports is something like one
per centum less than under the Dinglev
act This may or may not be for
have learned TO doubt the accuracy OF
tariff statements. but granting the truth
Of the statement. what a superb show
ing It is.
There are many gratifying reductions
in the Payne-Aldrich act, but upon the
whole II is not a fair exemplffication OF
the protective policy. nor is It an honest
performance Of our platform promise.
and no matter what happens I will tell
the truth, as I see the truth. about IL
Let me, however. again warn Repub-
leans who are Of my way OF thinking
concerning the shortcomings of this
measure that the failure Of the Republi-
can leaders in Congress to abide bv our
platform furnishes no reason for deliver
ing this country into the hands Of the
Democrats"
Mr.. Cummins praised the tariff com.
mission obtained by the President. and
continued:
we must insist upon law or rule
Of Congress that will allow one schedule
TO be amended or revised without going
over the whole range OF the tariff. We
must exclude the opportunity for the