Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-08-30
HIS REASONS WHY VOTES
SHOULD GO TO G. 0. P.
Chief Executive Lays Out Plan Of
Fight for Congress and Tells Why
Ballots Should be Cast for Party
Candidates This Fall-Pleads for
Reunited Ranks.
(By Associated Press)

CBy Associated Press)
NEW YORK. Aug. 29.-The local
Headquarters of the Republican Con
erossional Committee today gave out
the following letter from President
Taft to William B. Mckinley. chair
man OF the Republican Congressional
Committee.
Beverly, Mass. August 20, 1910.
MY Dear Mr. Mckinley:
AS the chairman of the National
Congressional Republican Committee,
you have asked me to give the rea-
sons which should lead voters in the
coming November election TO cast
their ballots for Republican candi-
dates for Congress.
Should Forget Differences.
prominence has been given during
the preliminary canvasses just ended
to the differences between Republi-
cans; but in the election such differ
ences should be forgotten. DiffeI-
ences within the party were mani
tested in the. two sessions of the
present Congress. andi yet never in
its history has the Republican party
passed and become responsible for as
much useful and progressive legisla-
ton. So. while issues will doubtless
arise between members of a Repub-
Lean majority as to the details of
further legislation, the party, as 4
whole, will show itself in the future.
as in the past. practical and patriotic
in subordinating individual opinions
in order to secure real progress.
Such a legislative program as that
set forth in the Republican national
platform of 1903 could not be car
ried out in full by one Congress. Ger
iainly if all its promises are executed
in one administration. ii will be with
in a proper time The present Con-
gress has not only fulfilled many
party pledges. but il has by its course
set higher the standard of party re-
sponsibility for such pledges than
ever before in the history of Ameri-
can parties.
Would Revise the Tariff.
Let us consider. summarily. the
promises made and the legislation
enacted by the present Congress:
First and of primary Importance was
the promise to revise the tariff in
accordance with the rule laid down
in the platform. to-wit: that the tariff
on articles imported sh0lld be equal
to the difference between their cost
of production abroad and that cost
in this country, including a reason
able profit for domestic manufac-
turers.
"A very full inves;;gation-full, at
least. as such investigations have
been conducted in the past-was
made by the Ways and Means Com
mittee of the House to determine
what rates should be changed to con-
form 10 this rule. A reduction was
made in six hundred and fifty-four
numbers. and an increase in some
two hundred and twenty. while eleven
hundred and fifty remained unchang-
cd. The bill was amended in the
Senate. but the proportion Of in
creases to decreases was maintained.
Some Of Criticism Just.
"The bill has been criticised for
certain Of its rates and schedules.
Some Of the criticisms are just and
some are wide of the mark and most
unjust.
~The truth IS that under the old
protective idea the only purpose was
to make the tariff high enough to
protect the home industry. The OK
cess Of the tariff over the difference
in the cost Of production here and
abroad was not regarded as objec-
tionable because il was supposed that
competition between those who en-
jcyed the high protection would keel,
the price for che consumer down 10
what was reasonable Tor the manu-
facturer. The evil Of excessive tarif
rates. however. showed itself IN the
temptation 81 manufacturers TO com
inc ard suppress competition. and
then TO maintain the prices so as 10
take advantage Of the excess OF the
tariff rate over the difference between
the cost Of product ton abroad and
here
The Payne tariff bill Is the first
bill passed by the Republican party
in which the necessity for reducing
rates 70 avoid this evil has been
recognized. and u Is therefore a de.
ciGed step in the right direction and
Il ought TO be accepted a. such. On
the whole. II was a downward re.
vision. particularly or articles Of ne.
cessity and on raw materials. The
actual figures on the FIRST years opcr.