The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-18
SUPREME TEST OF STRENGTH
 ARRIVES IN WOOL BILL FIGHT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE D

I had already appointed a satisfactory substitute for the proposed tariff commis- sion and added to it two members from the opposition Its attention has been especially directed to comparative cost under schedule K (wool and woolensl, under schedule M (paper and pulp, and under schedule I (cotton manufacturers. The report on schedule NJ tpulp and pa per) has already been sent to Congress. Full reports on wool and cotton will be submitted to Congress in December. I have also directed an investigation into the metal and leather schedules, the re- suits of which, it is hoped, can be sub mitted to Congress at its next regular session in time to permit their considera- ton and legislative action If necessary
 The President, after quoting from re- port of the tariff commission association commenting the work of the tariff board, continues:
 'I have thus reviewed the history of the movement for the establishment of a tariff commission or board to show that the real advance and reform in tariff making are to be found in the acquiring of accurate and impartial information as to the effect of the pro- posed tariff of Congress under each schedule before they are adopted and further to show that delay in the passage of a bill to amend schedule K can be had until December Congress will then be in the possession of a full and satisfactory report upon the whole schedule.
 This brings me to consider the terms of the bill presented for my approval. If there was ever a schedule that need- ed consideration and investigation and elaborate legislation by experts before its amendment, it is schedule K. There fs, r.sf.l 1t f,f 4f, in the present schedule are too high and are in excess of any needed pro- teetion/of the wool grower or manu- facturer. l share this belief and have so stated in several public addresses But l have not sufficient data upon which I can judge how schedule K ought to be amended nor have I sources of information which satisfy me that the bill presented to nae /5r signature will accomplish this result. The parliamentary history of the bill | is not reassuring upon this point. It was introduced and passed in the House as providing for tariff for revenue only and with the avowed purpose of departing from protective tariff pol 1 icy"
 "I do not criticize the method of prep aration of the bill, but Congressional 1 proceedings make available for me nc accurate or scientifically acquired in- forma tion which enables me to determine that bill supplies the measure protec-
 ton, promised in the platform on whicf | l was elected.
 l Principle Not Clear
 "Without any investigation on which details are available, an avowed tariff for revenue and anti-protection bill is by compromise, blended with profess
 ed protection bill. The principle followed
 is not clear and the effect of the bill il most uncertain
 | ''The Wilson tariff act of 1894, while giving the manufacturer free wool, pro
 vided as high duties on leading manufac
 lures of wool as does the present bill
 which at the same time taxes the manu r lecturers raw material at 29 per cent.
 When the Wilson bill was in fore
 many wooden mills were compelled t
 shut down These were abnormalitie
 land it is not necessary to attribute tn hard times solely to the tariff act O 1894 But ii was q least an addition t
 factors operating to injure the woole