Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-18
Progressive Republicans Con-
denim CesoIution.
CHAGRIN AND DISGUST FELT
Boston Home Market Club Against
Tariff Changes.
SNEAKS FOR INVESTORS ONLY
Charged That Such an Attitude
Threatens the Protective
System.

System.
and disgust, is expressed by progressive
republicans in Congress over the acton
of the Home Market Club of Boston at
its annual meeting this week, upon the
subject of tariff revision. It is almost
could have been possible Immediately af-
ter the distinct and pronounced record
ing of public sentiment at the polls No
vember s.
The action complained of was the de-
feat of a resolution indorsing President
Taft and his efforts at tariff revision
through the tariff board and the adoption
of resolution offered by Lew c. Hill of
Boston. That resolution declared for
excessive protection. coldly recognized
the existence of the tariff board. and
did not recommend any tariff changes,
whatever conditions might be found to
exist.
Guarantee for Investors.
1t not only thus negatively stood pat
in the face OF an overwhelming public
sentiment. but it improved upon the stand
pat declaration Of the national platform
and demanded guarantee against the
risk OF industrial investments" in addi-
tion to maintenance of the standard
or American wages. 1t made no REFER
ence 10 costs OF production nor to '.suf-
ficient profit for capital
FRIENDS OF the protective system always
have held that 1t should safegua I'd
American industry against foreign goods
produced cheaper than American because
OF local conditions. and Of late years the
republican party has laid more emphasis
upon Its yielding profit to manufacture
ers tnan upon Its protection to American
labor.
NOW these manufacturers have gone
their record one better by demanding
guarantee against the risks of invest
ment, as II American manufacturers in
CURED greater business risks than in
Vestors in industry I'm other countries
Charge of the Progressives.
Progressive republicans charge that
just such actions as this of the Home
Market Club threaten the protective sys-
tenn more seriously than anything else.
They say 1t seems impossible for some
New England business men to understand
that in matters Of national LEGISLATION
they are compelled to face the prejudices
of all Congress. outside their own Sec
ton. New England provincialism and
self1shness" are a byword in Washing
ton. Through the alleged grasping char
acteristics of representative New Eng
land manufacturers distrust of the p. %
tectfve system has been bred in other
sections Of the country which today
threatens the whole structure.
ton never was SO much. in danger from
Its beneficiaries as at the present moment
Excessive Duty Rejected.
The retiring president Of the Home
Market Club was one Of two men--the
other is understood to be the candidate Of
Senator Aldrich to succeed himself from
Rhode Island-who came to Washington
In the spring OF 1909 and made them
selves celebrated. il not notorious, by
their attempt to inject the infamous
'count-of-thread' clause in the cotton
schedule.
This was a device whereby strands In
stead Of threads were to be counted in
the assessment Of duties. The clause was
inserted In the first draft of the Payne
tariff bill, but when it was examined and
the discovery made that 1t would increase
duties upon higher-grade cottons from
100 to 2UO per cent. 1t was savagely r.p-
Lippett haunted the rooms Of the finance
committee when the bill reached the Sen.
ate, refusing exp. anations to any one out
side. but even Senator Aldrich, stout de-
fender OF the textile tariff that he is,
could not see his way clear to grant their
amazing request.
Tariff Board Urged to Hasten.
The tariff board is being urged by an
influential section of the daily press to
make haste and get out a report, that
Congress may have something to worh
on. Unfortunately the mandate of the
recent election-the choice of a democratic
House and the overturn Of several re-
publican states-authoritative as It may
have been, did not put the tariff board
in posse ssion of more facts relative to
costs Of production than it had before
The work of the tariff board cahnot,
from it's nature. he FASTENED. It must be
remembered that until the list of last
April the tariff board busted itself ex.
clusively with the questions arising under
the maximum and minimum provisions of
the Payne law. Until the middle of June
the board did not know whether or not its
appropriation would be CONTINUED by Con-
gress. Following the passage of the ap-
preparation bill several months necessar.
lily were lost In securing expert assistants
by President Taft.
Work OF the Board.
At the present time the work of the
board is practically in full swing al
though the stan is being strengthened
from time to time as capable men are
found. The reports Of the board would
be useless If 1t were understood that, they
were hurriedly ground out for political
purposes.
Chairman Henry c. Emery went abroad
last summer to learn whether or not the