The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-08-18

attention has been especially directed
to comparative cost under schedule K
(Wool and Woolens), under schedule
NJ (paper and pulp, and under sched-
ule 1 cotton and manufactures). The
report on schedule M (pulp and pa
PERI has already been sent to con-
greSS- Full reports on wool and cotton
Will be submitted to congress in De-
cember. I have also directed an in
Vest1gation into the metal and leather
schedules. the results of which, it is
hoped, can be submitted to congress at
its first regular session in time to per-
nit their consideration and legislative
action if necessary
The president after quoting from
report of the tariff commission asso-
citation commencing the work of the
tariff board, continues:
Real Tariff Reform.
I have thus reviewed the history of
the movement for the esta bIishment of
tariff commission or board in order
to show that the real advance and re-
form in tariff making are to be found
IN the acquiring of accurate and inn
partial information as to the effect of
the proposed tariff changes under each
schedule before they are adopted and
further to show that if delay in the
passage of bill to amend schedule K
can be had until December, congress
Will then be in possession of a full and
satisfactory report upon the whole
schedule.
This brings me to the consideration
of schedule K, the most complicated
schedule in the tariff. 1t Classics raw
WOOL with different rates for different
classes. 1t affords the manufacturer
what is called a compensatory duty to
make up for the inincreased price of
the raw material he has to use due to
the rate on raw wool and for the
shrinkage that takes place in securing
the wool for fo 7f1
gives him, in addition, 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 the
manufacture of cloth present a com
plication of technical detail that pre-
vents any one not especially informed
concerning wool growing and manu-
tacture from understanding the sched-
ule and effect in the various rates and
percentages.
IF there ever wa sa schedule that
needed consideration and investigation
and elaborate explanation by experts
before its amendments it is schedule
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. But I have no sufficient
data on which I can judge how sched-
ule K ought to be amended or how its
rates ought to be reduced, in order
that the new bill shall furnish the
proper measure on protection and no
more. Nor have / sources of infOrma-
ton which satisfy me that the bill pre-
sented to me for signature win accom-
plish this result
THE parliamentary history of the
bill is not reassuring on this point It
as providing tariff for revenue only
and with the avowed purpose of de-
parting from protective policy
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 29 per cent, this be-
ing an increase on carpet woods of SO
cents as fixed in the house bin and
of 10 per cent as fixed in the senate
bill. The conference rate on cloths and
wearing apparel was fixed at 49. No
evidence as to the cost of production
mere or abroad was published, and the
compromise amendment in the senate
was adopted without reference to or
consideration by committee
No Criticism Intended.
Il don't mention these facts to crit
else method of preparation of the bill,
but [ must needs refer to them to show
that the congressional proceedings
make available for me no accurate or
scientifically acquired information
which enables me to determine that
the bill supplies the measure or protec-
ton as promised in the platform on
which I was elected.
Without any investigation of which
the details are available an avowed
-for-revenue and anti-protection
Hill is by compromise blended with a
professional protection bill Rates be-
tween those of the two bills ars
adopted, and except that in some i'm
portant instances rates 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 followed in adjusting the
amendments of existing law is, there
fore not clear, and the effect of the
bill is most uncertain. The Wilson
tariff act of 1894. while giving the man
ufacturer free wool, provided as high
duties on leading manufacturers on
wool as does the present bill, which at
the same time taxes the manufactured
raw material at % per cent. Thus the