The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-08-19
REASONS FOR
PRESIDENTS VETO


say regarding Schedule K:
''This brings me to the considera.
tion of the terms of the bill presented
for my approval. Schedule X is the
most complicated schedule in the tar
iff. 1t classifies raw wool with diff
ferent rates for different classes; it
affords the manufacturer what is call
ed compensatory duty to make up
for the increased price of the raw ma
terial he has to use due to the rate on
raw wool, and for the shrinkage that
takes place and it gives him, in addi-
tion, an ad valorem duty to protect
him against foreign competition with
cheap labor The usages which prevail
in securing the wool. in making the
yarn and in manufacture of cloth,
present complication of technical de-
tail that prevents any one not especial
ly informed concerning wool-growing
and manufacturing from understand
ing the schedule and the effect Of
changes in the various rates and per-
centages.
eff there ever was a schedule that
needed consideration and investigation
and elaborate explanation by experts
before its amendment, it is Schedule
X. There is a widespread belief that
many rates in the present schedule are
too high and are in excess of any
needed protection for the wool growers
or. manufacturers. I share this belief
and have so stated in several public
addresses. BIT / have not sufficient
data on which / can Judge how Seized
ule K ought to be amended, or how it's
- In IN 81
that the new bill shall furnish the
proper measure Of protection and no
more Nor have 7 sources of informa-
tion which satisfy me that the bill
presented to me for signature will ac-
complish this result.
"The parliamentary history of the
bill is not reassuring on this point. 1t
was introduced and passed in the
house as providing a tariff for revenue
only and with the avowed purpose of
departin~ from a protective tariff
policy
Rates Proposed.
The rates proposed in the various
measures introduced in congress are
cited, the message continuing:
"In conference between the two
houses the rate on all classes of raw
wool was fixed at 20 per cent, this be-
ing an increase on carpet woods of 9
per cent, as fixed in the house bill,
and of 10 percent, as fixed in the SEN
ate bill. The conference rate on
cloths and wearing apparel was fixed
at 40 per cent No evidence as to the
cost of production here or abroad was
published and the compromise amend
ment in the senate was adopted with
out reference to, or consideration by
committee.
"T do not mention these facts to
criticize the methods of preparation of
the bill; but I must needs refer to them
to show that the congressional proceed
ings make available for me no accu-
rate or scientifically acquired infor-
nation which enables me to determine
that the bill supplies the measure of
protection promised in the platform
on which I was elected
"Without any investigation of
which the details are available, an
avowed tariff for revenue and anti
protection bill is by compromise blend
ed with professed protection bill.
Rates between those of the two bills
are adopted and passed, except that,
in some important instances, rates
F, are fixed in the compromise at a
! figure higher, and, in others, at a
figure lower than were originally fixed
in either house. The principle follow
ed in adjusting the amendments of ex-
listing laws is, therefore, not clear and
the effect of the bill is most uncertain.
Menace to Manufacturers.
"The Wilson tariff act of 1894,
while giving the manufacturer free
wool, provided as high duties on lead
ing manufactures of wool as does the
present bill, which at the same time
taxes the manufacturer s raw material
at 90 per cent Thus the protection af-
forded to manufacturers under the
Wilson bill was considerably hihger
than under the present bill.
"During the years in which the Will
son bill was in force, the wooden
manufacturers suffered. Many mills
were compelled to shut down. These
were abnormal years and it is not
solely to the tariff act of 1894. But
factors operating to injure the wooden
business. 1t is the only experience we
have had for generation of radi-
cal revision of this schedule. and, with
out exaggerating it's Importance, one
pledged to moderate protection
policy may well hesitate before giving
approval without full information to
explain which makes a more radical re-
duction in the protection actually af-
forded to manufacturers of wool than
did the Wilson act. Nor does this
hesitation arise only for fear of in
jury to manufacturers. Unless manu-
facturers are able to continue their
business and buy wool from the do
nestle wool growers, the latter will
have no benefit from the tariff that is
supposed to protect them. because they
will have to sell in competition with
foreign woods or send their sheep to
the shambles Hence, the wool grower
is as much interested in the protection
of the manufacturer as he is in his
own.
"It NAV be that conditions of manu-