Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-04-05

War-WnoOp.
Absolute free trade with Canada
is one Of the things Oscar w. Under
wood. congressman form Alabama
and chairman OF the Democratic Way
and Means committee, thoroughly be-
lieves in, and would like to see
brought about. He has just given
out an interview to this effect.
Mr.. Underwood is not free-trader
SO far as the world at large is con-
cerned. He is a tariff-for-revenue
man. first last and always. "But as
between this country and Canada. /"
says Mr.. Underwood, II should well
come absolute free trade II the Ca
madam government is willing to
grant free trade to our products en-
tering Canada.
Mr.. Underwood believes that be-
cause Of the similarity Of the peo-
pies Of the two countries, and 9TH
er reasons which have a tendency
to make reciprocity mutually desir-
able, there is no more reason why
there should be tariff wall between
the United States and Canada than
there would be for a tariff wall be-
tween Vermont and New Hampshire
or any other two adjoining states
II the union.
Speaking for myself alone,'' said
Mr.. UNDERWORLD am in favor Of add
ing a clause to the reciprocity agree
menr authorizing the President, by
executive act, to reduce the tariff du-
ties Of this country, on any, item,
whether included in the Canadian
agreement or not, whenever Canada
g willing to out them on her free list
This would not Interfere with the
present pending pact between this
country and Canada, but 1t would
be an invitation on the part Of our
government for Canada to unite
with us In ultimate fr\, trade"
1t is almost certain the Democratic
house will pass, at the extra session,
several bills revising the tariff
downward on particular schedules, in
addition to the reciprocity act They
will do this regardless of limitations
from the White House that the Pres
ident will veto any tariff legislation
that is not basedon the results OF
so-cal!ed expert investigation by
men appointed by President Taft.
All OF the members of the Demo
cratic Ways and Means committee,
with the exception of two. Underwood
and Hammond, voted against bill
to create a tariff board at the last
session of congress, and It is vir-
tually certain they will refuse to
act favorably on the presidents sug-
ses.ion that the much-needed down
ward revision be based ON the find.
ings Of the republican-appointed
board.
I've do not need a tariff board tc
tell us that 1876 per cent duty on 9
pair Of ordinary wooden blankets tina
the poor man uses is an outrage,
declared Representative Kichen, o
North Carolina, a member Of the
Ways and Means committee. Meth
er do members of Congress need t.
be told by so-called board Of ex'
per!s that 116 per cent duty on the
underwear that the laboring man has
to wear to keep his body warm is an
outrage It is a very simple matter
to ascertain these impositions or
the poor Of the land. and do MOI
anticipate that congress will have
much difficulty in singing them out
for honest revision"
The Democrats do not intend tc
slash rates right and left. with 9
reckless hand, but they propose t.
frame legislation that will meet thu
expectations OF the people and will
be in compliance with promises made
in the last campaign.