Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-11-30
REVISION IS Up
T0THEPRES|OENT
Taft Holds Key to Tariff Legisla-
ton This Winter-Demo-
Gratis Await Action.

Washington. Nov 3.-It is President
Taft who holds the key to tariff legisla-
ton this winter Until he announces the
policy of the Republican party toward
revision OF the wooden and cotton sched-
ules there will be no further move to-
ward revision by the democrats. Revision
Is strongly up to the President When
he has spoken. then the plan OF the demo-
cratic majority will go forward
1t IS not the present intention Of Repre-
sentativ Oscar ". Underwood, chairman
of the committee on ways and means, to
call a meeting OF that committee until
after the message has been read Ordi-
| narly with tariff legislation pending, the
ways and means committee would be as
busy as barefoot boy in A humble bees
nest. Now it is different.
Through the examination OF letter
| Just received in Washington. 1t is posi-
| BILE for your correspondent TO forecast
Representative Underwood's attitude to-
ward the tariff. This letter says with
significance that "Mr. TAFT cannot escape
the responsibility before him"
THE ways and means committee will
do nothing until President Taft sends in
his message. Having put his foot on all
efforts 10 lower tariff duties, it Is up to
him TO recommend tariff legislation As
! soon as the Presidents message is re-
ceived, Mr. Underwood will call a meet
: ing OF the committee and proceed to put
over more legislation like that enacted
!, at the last session which SO largely
pleased the American people and which
r was responsible in a degree for the vic
tories in Kentucky and Massachusetts
| 4
> one at n time. and the democratic record
$ will be thorough and complete
so far as Representative Underwood
Y controls his committee this Will be tbs
e tariff program OF the democrats durnf
. the present session. One attack was made
e upon the southerner last session OF
e the ground that he had delayed thu
g revision q the steel schedule that HI
g might protect his constituents in Birming
= ham, Ala. He will answer that attacl
g with a bill reducing the steel and irol
u schedules at this session. Experts hav
o already worked out IN part the rates t
o be put in the measure.
g As opposed to the democratic plan
those republicans who have reached
l. Washington are talking about republi
d can bill which will be n patf 70
d the next campaign. Even this cannot b
- prepared until the President has mad
u a recommendation and the report of tn
Al tariff board lis public. The situation
promises that the real tariff fight will
como soon after tho beginning Of tn
new year.
II is somewhat apparent that the oil
u tariff leaders in the House are not be
s. ing consulted by the President YER
y much as to what he will say about tarif
Al revision. Some Of them are feeling thi
$ keeny and there is speculation as
what the result will be for the hg
10 protection members from New Englan
d. and Pennsylvania Such men as Repre-
70 sentative Serene F. Payne OF New Yorl
le former chairman of the committee o
"a ways and means and author Of part c
IN the Payne Aldrich bill Representative
ID John Dalzell Of Pennsylvania and Rel
70 resentative f. J. Hill OF Connecticut, a
Or old high-tariff war horses. are In Wasl
n ingtOn, but their names are not ofte
I'd found On the White House engagemer
r. list.
I'd All of these things strengthen the in
10 preston gained In some quarters ths
o. when the President makes his campaig
for reelection, II he does. it viii be upo
"a a semi progressive, almost low, tart
In pls form Bat many things may happe
to tbefore he Is called upon to do this.
st SHERMAN.