The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-19
'TAFT'S VETO GIVES DEMOCRATS GREAT CHANCE FOR FIGHT Puts the President in Atti- tude of 'Straddling"
 on Tariff BOUND BY PROMISE
 FOR RECIPROCITY Plea About Board of Experts Regard ed as About the Weakest
 Excuse He Could Have
 Offered
BY WALTER HARPER

Washington August 19.-(Special) = President Taft has veoted the woolen bill.
 He gives as his reason for his veto tha. the tariff board has not yet made re- port.
 This vetoI was written before the bill was before the Senate. It was almost completed before it was reported in the House from the conferees. It is generally understood that the President gave ms unqualified promise to veto all tariff re- vision except that of Canadian reciprocity before the present extra session was well organized.
 He has kept his promise and he must answer to the people of the United States who cannot but recognize the glaring in- consistency of his position.
 The President called this special sessica for one definite purpose-to revise one fea- ture of the tariff. He wanted his reel procity agreement with Canada ratified by the Congress. That reciprocity agreement is nothing more than great big tarih measure. 1t involves and embodies the most extreme doctrine of extreme democ- racy-free trade.
 The President rammed it down tEe throat of Congress. He would not permit the least amendment or suggestion. Re- calcitrant republicans of the regular wing who wanted to rebel against the Presl- dents extreme tariff programme were purchased into line with the promise that he, the President, would veto any other tariff legislation that affects American manufactures that the Congress might attempt.
 It is very probable that he felt safe in making this promise. It was not expect ed that the democrats in the House would be able to agree so perfectly as to coni- plete tariff legislation. Then he was further fortified in his mind by repub- ican Senate.
 But the unexpected happened in more than one quarter. MT. Underwood was able to make a programme and carry it through.
 The democrats, assisted by the repent ant republicans in the Senate, continued the work of the House and the President was forced to seek an excuse for the veto he had promised and which he was dis posed to give.
 The tariff board was the only excuse he has been able to find and it has been worked industrously in both houses by stand pat republicans for the purpose of fortifying the President in his inconsst- ent position.
 Now, let us analyze the Presidents post: ton.
 His veto message declares that tari'c revision should not be attempted untl after the tariff board had made its reporS. Canadian reciprocity is extreme tariff re- vision. That was rammed through Con gress without a thought of any tariff board report.
 Canadian reciprocity affects the farmers of the country who have farm products to sell They protested, but the President laughed and continued his ramming.
 Then came woolen, cotton and other tariff revision questions, including the farmers free list bill, which latter is in- tended to compensate the farmer in Il measure by lowering the duties on manu- factured products that he must buy. On these questions. all of them affect ing the protected interests the President throws up his hands and calls halt. No tariff revision should be attempted until the tariff board reports"
 The inconsistency is so glaring that the most cold -blooded standpatter must blush with shame.
 And the President vetoes the bill re- vising the woolen schedule? This after he had declared emphatically that that particular schedule is 'indefensible" and should be speedily revised
 When he has chance to assist in doing the thing he had said should be done he backs down and gives the most flmsv excuse that can be imagined.
 This excuse does not seem to have oc- cured to him while he was occupied in rammng his pet revision bill down the threats of Congress and the people.