The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-03-15
Speaker Of the House Addresses
Letter to Illinois Republi-
can Editors.
UPH0LDS PAYNE TARIFF LAW
Declares II is Best Tariff Legislation
Ever Enacted-States That the
Republican Party Will Garry
Out Its Pledges.


port of the people The letter in part
is as follows:
Il feel there is no occasion for me
either to advise or encourage the Re-
publican editors OF Illinois who have
been "a potent factor in politics of the
state since before the Republican party
was formally organized.
"The Republican party has not dis
carded any of its principles, nor has
it sought new issues simply for the
purpose of catching crowd ever ready
for novelties. Where it has added
new plank to its platform 1t has kept
its pledges.
Upholds the Tariff Law.
Republican majorities i'm the house
and senate, cooperating with the pres
ident, placed the Payne tariff law on
the statute books on August ninth, or,
when less than five months from the
beginning of the session. Within six
months after its enactment that law
has demonstrated that ii is the best
revenue producer, as well as the most
scientific adjustment of protective du-
ties we've ever had fully justifying
the presidents declaration that it is
the best tariff law ever enacted.
"The Republican party did not prom
Use free trade. but a revision in which
should be recognized the principle of
protection with minimum and maxi
mum rates to preserve without excess
sive duties that security against for
eign competition TO which American
manufacturers and products are en-
titled; and also to maintain the high
standard of living of the wage-earners
of this country who are the most direct
beneficiaries of the protective system.
In carrying out that pledge of the plat
form we enacted the tariff I'm which
there were 654 decreases from the
Dingley law, 220 increases and 1,15O
items of the dutiable list unchanged.
Articles on which duties were decreas-
ed represented $4,000 000, 900 worth of
consumption, while those increased
had consumption value of less than
81, ,0OO, ,000, 900. The increases were on
luxuries and the decreases on necessi-
ties. and in the first six months OF the
law more than 81 per cent of all i'm
portations were free OF duty, the larg-
est percentage of free imports we have
ever had under any tariff not even
excepting the Walker tariff of 1916,
which was called q free trade tariff.
The increase OF revenue has been
nearly s5O.OOO.OOO in six months. max
ing the Payne law the best revenue
producer we've ever had, and that is a
prime necessity i'm our increased ex-
penditure for greater developments OF
the country.
Party Will Carry Out Pledges.
"The Republican party has carried
out its tariff pledges i'm Q way to justi-
fy the presidents pride in that enact
ment. and it will carry out its pledges
as It has time for discussion and
agreement on the form of wise legis-
lation to meet these pledges.
"The present congress in regular
session has been more energetic and
more successful in carrying forward
the work before it than has any other
congress in recent years. Committees
have been giving the most careful study
to a number of bills to amend the in
terstate commerce law and other legis-
lation promised in the Republican
platform. and think I can safely pre-.
dict this legislation will be added
while all pledges of the platform VIII
be kept by the party IL IL has the con-
tinued support of the people. No par
ty has ever been able to accomplish
all IL promised in one session ot con-
gress and such an accomplishment has
never been expected.
'It is the function of the Republican
editors to keep the people informed as
to the work accomplished that they
may not be misled by deuagogues
whose function Is to complain and ere
ate dissatisfaction. and the Republican
editors of Illinois can be of material
assistance in presenting the truth 70
meet Fiction that the people mag fair
ly Judge as to the fidelity OF the pres
ent administration to the principles of
the party that gave IL power to the end
that the president may continue 10
have the support of the legislative de-
partment in working out the policies
of the Republican party.
Taft Hopes For Support.
| Washington. March 15.-President
Taft sent to the convention of Re-
publican editors at Springfield. Illi-
nois. today. telegram in which he
expressed the hope that the editorial
association would stand by the Repub-
lcan congress and the administration
In its attitude toward the tariff and
other legislation.