The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-04-22
farmers FREE LIST.
DEMOCRATs' FIRST TARIFF RE
FORM MEASURE FORMALLY
PRESENTED.
O. w. Underwood, Chairman OF
Ways and Means Committee, an
Ringing Measure Up. shows Pres.-
dent Favors Some Provisions.

committee on the farmers free list
ein." submitted to the house today
by o. w. Underwood. chairman, is a
merger OF Democratic political argu-
meat and an analysis OF ths prop osed
duty exemptions.
The report shows that the bill
would reduce thu tariff revenue by
tfo.o1s.4s5. based on the importa-
tions for the last fiscal year. an
amount described as 'inconsid srable
In comparison with the gerat saviag
and advantages to all of our people
from the additions to the free list
provided for"
Quoting President Tafts recent
Canadian reciprocity speeches. the
report seeks to convey the impress
sioa that the administration is con-
vinced that protective tariff rates are
too high.
Tn several public addressed" u
sAyS "he (the president) has admit
that such rates have resulted in ex-
cusiveiy high prices felt especially
IN the increased cost of living which
now bears heavily aon our people.
and that they have ass.receivsa the
long promised bepeatsSof domestic
competition under high protective
l6uties." --A2
Referring tox the br*sident's state
mont that the fFsSYhliaAn party had
modified It's tartf policies so as to
Nmit 1t for purBpses of. protection to
the difference in eest of production
here and abroad with a reasonable
PROFIT TO the American producer. the
committsc report says:
This Is a confession. as was the
ReDublican platform OF 1908. that
the theery ot, high protective duties
~ put forth by the Republican party
mas broken down. that combinatio rs
and trusts which prey upon our peo-
pie have been fostered by the tariff.
and that under tariff protection
American manufacturers have forced
unreasonable profits from the people"
Again the report declares:
Tho Canadian reciprocity agree
lment now before the house Is a recog-
milton on the part OF the administra-
ition or the injurious effects Of the ex-
treme protective policy which has so
yioag been imposed upon the country.
and is an EFFORT to mitigate its ef-
fects."
The reciprocity agreement. the
ccmmittse asserts. can not AFFORD the
American people all tho needed rs-
lief from hlc'i protection.
Action on the agreement iavolves
the necessity of further and immedi-
ate action on revision a number Of
duties on imports from other coun-
tries IN order that Justice may be
done to the great army of agricui-
tnral producers who In the Canadian
! agreement are to have the alleged
protection removed from their pro-
ducts without a corresponding or re-
ciprocal removal of the protective du-
tfsa most burdensome on the COM
modities they must purchase as nee
essary TO sustain their lives and in
dustries."
The report takes up I'm detail the
classified list of articles included in
the fres list bill. Regarding agricul-
tural implements. II says their manu-
facture Is controlled by trusts nd
combinations that have sold In for
= eign countries at lower prices than
at home. building up their foreig ,
trade from s3.s59.1s4 in 1890 to
s2s.i24.033 In 1910.
Bagging and baling materials es-
sential In the transportation Of agri-
cultural products. the report says.
an not receive De lefits Of protection
q, home markets and duties on them
have annoyed and burdened the
farmers To- add To the profits OF ex-
acting trusts and combinations. "
Concerning hoops bands and tbs Of
iron a1d steel. bqrbcd wire for fenc-
\ ing etc. tho report says the high
: duties make ;hs peoplc dependent up
m the giant steel industry" which for
years has sold products abroad l1wer
than 20 domestic consumers. and de-
clarcs that placing them ou the FIRE,
list will be a "long delayed measure
of equity and Justice"
Tn placing ON the free list Of all
forms az leather from cattle. hides
and skins together with boots. shoes.