Omaha daily bee., 1911-09-22

tory Of the movement for a tariff hoard
in order to show how fully committed
am to the proposition that we ought not
to have any revision of a schedule Of the
tariff without accurate information as to
the operation and effect of the proposed
changes, and further to show that in this
view l have had in the past the hearty
support not only Of the regular. repub-
leans but also, and even with more en-
phass, those who ican themselves pro-
gressive republicans
"Second-I also wish to point out that
all republicans Of whatever shade are
committed to the maintenance of our
protected industries to the point Of re-
tanning duties on imported articles which
shall equal the differences in the cost OF
production at home and abroad
"Third-Except for the extra session
called only to pass upon the reciprocity
bill. the first time that the Sixty-second
congress could consider and pass upon
tariff schedules would be in December,
and at that time it's predecessor, by con-
sent of both parties, had fixed as the
proper time at which a fun report as 10
the most Objectionable schedule ought to
be reported With the money granted me
by congress had provided a board, non
partisan, and with the same personnel as
the statutory board would have had, to
make report not only upon wool, but
also upon cotton.
Democrats Play Politics.
Although many of the democrats had
assisted in the support of the statutory
tariff board bill and had advocated such
4,,Nz
spect of the probable operation Of the
proposed revision, the house at once be-
gan to make a record for political pur-
poses by passing three tariff bills, the
wool bill, the free list bill and the cot.
ton bill. They gave no public hearings
OF any kind on either Of these bills and
they presented no satisfactory informa-
ton upon which the effect Of any Of them
upon the industries involved could be
judged. Their Investigations may have
been sufficient to satisfy the, conscience
Of a tariff for-revenue man who believes
in any reduction. however great of ex-
listing duties but for one pledged as /
am to maintain a tariff high enough to
enable existing industries to live. the case
Is different.
THE wool bill proposed a revenue duty
IL cents a pound. a reduction of con-
siderably more than 80 per cent of the
present duty. and an average duty of 81
per cent on wooden cloth and manufac-
lures This was avowedy a tariff for
revenue and was not drawn for the pur-
pose Of protecting the industries. II
passed the house and went to the senate
where an insurgent republican senator
proposed a substitute in which the duty
on wool Of the first class was fixed al
40 per cent, and of a second class. OF
carpet woods, at 10 per cent and the
average percentage on the wooden manu-
features was made 60 per cent ad valorem
II was claimed by its author to be q
protection bill. 1t was never submitted
to a committee. no evidence was ever
taken in regard to 1t, and II was evolved
from the Independent investigation of q
single senator. A majority of the insur-
gents and the democrats in the senate
compromised on a blu which made the
tax on raw wool. first Glass; IS per cent
second class, 10 per cent, and the average
duty on woolens, IS per cent The bill
against the vote of nearly all of the regu-
lar republicans and some tnsurgent re-
publicans, passed the senate and was
sent 10 conference, where a bill was
agreed upon in which the duty was 2.
per cent on raw wool, and an average
of 10 per cent IN woolens. This bill had
the effect OF raising the duty on carpet
woods, as fixed in the senate, 10 per cent
and as fixed in the house, 0 per cent
Here was the first case presented 70 me
There was nothing in the record in either
the house or senate from which l could
obtain any information as TO the effect
OF this bill upon the wool and wooden
industry of this country. / submit that
the history OF its making shows NO
principle whatever in the bill except
a compromise between two opposing
principles for the purpose OF passing the
bill, without any indication as TO its
effect on the industry to which it applies.
Lower Than Wilson Bill.
This bill reduced the duty on woolens
10 an average of 4s per cent. with a duty
ON the raw-mAterisl wool OF % per cent.
The Wilson bill passed in 1894. has re-
duced the duty to so per cent. with no
duty on the raw wool at all, a much more
favorable arrangement to the manufac-
turers than In the present bill, and yet
the years OF the Wilson bill were years
OF disaster to the wooden manufacturers.
1t may be that other causes than the
tariff contributed to the failure OF wooden
mills in the time OF the Wilson bill. and
II may well be that conditions in the
wooden business have changed so that Il
does not need as much protection as
then; but had no adequate Information.
and had been furnished none. upon which
could say that the bill presented TO me
was In accord with the republican plat
form Of protection upon which l was
elected. and TO which am in honor
bound to square by official act and
policy In the absence OF such adequate
information. and with the prospect. OF
securing II in three months. Il became
my bounden duty TO withhold my app
prevail OF the bill what was the neces-
sity Of such great haste In passiag the
bill al an extra session called for another
purpose2 The bill as II passed the house
provided to should go into effect January
J. 1912 The bill as It passed the senate
contained q similar provision. When the
bill went into confereacessI am informed
that the suggestion was made that the