The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-31
Crlticizss d en- oc ra t S
Who + avor Raw
Wool Tariff.
ISA VS. ARGUMENT
IS SUBTERFUGE
Warns Against Drift Toward
Protective Policy, and Declares
There Is No Reason for
Favoritism to Few Sheep
Raisers-V Voters Will Have
to Be Consulted.

r.
Washington. u. c., May 3o--Wn-
liam Jennings Bryan to-day took ex-
ception to the program of his party
In the House. and criticized sharply
the majority OF the Democrats who
have agreed to support the revised
tariff schedules on wool and wooden
goods. The criticism is contained in
statement given out BY Representa-
tive HARRISON. OF New York Chair
man Underwood. of the Ways and
Means Committee. contented himself
With the declaration that despite Mr.
Bryan's stand. the revised tariff would
go through the Democratic caucus
with wo-thirds majority
The Democratic voters" said MIR
Bryan. know that all needed revenue
can be raised in less oppressive ways
and they know the argument that the
tariff n wool, proposed as revenue
tariff. Is merely subterfuge employ cd
because those who employ II are
ashamed to say that they favor pro-
lection"
The Nebraskan warned against the
drift of Democrats toward a protec-
tive olicy. which he said is most
marked in those Democrats who have
among their constituents. influential
beneficiaries of the SYSTEM"
The Republicans want protection
on wool because they believe In the
principle of protection" he declared.
Let no Democrat advocate of
tax on wool masquerade behind the
pretense that he Is voting for a reve-
nue. tariff; let him not add hypocrisy
to the sin which he commits against
| his party" 's
Evokes No Comment.
rms criticism. apparently directed
at the party leaders In the House.
| evoked no comment except the sus-
gestion that the votes in. the caucus
would disclose that Mr.. Bryan has
only one-third of the Democrats In
the House Behind him.
Mr. Bryan Insisted II protection
was to be accepted as a Democratic
doctrine that cit be accepted openly.
and applied to everything and TO eli
sections He said there is no reason
for favoritism TO few sheep raisers,
IT the expense of all who wear wooden
clothing.
Before the Democratic party is
| finally committed to the doctrine OF
protection he declared 1T will be
| necessary to consult the voters OF the
party and It may be we'll to remember
that the voters of all parties are
drawer than the politicians. The Re-
| publican voters were brave enough TO
turn out lot OF Republican Aldriches;
what reason have our Dem ocratic Con-
| gressmen to think that Democratic
voters are less coura geous 2"
Mr. Bryan defiance to-day of the
party leaders in the House. has caused
| intense feeling in the party Not
withstanding this, Mr. Underwood. as
chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee. was nsistent tonight in
the prediction that the revenue wool
bill Will be approved by a big ma
| jority.
| In my Judgment" said Mr.. Under
wood In answer to Mr.. Bryan. "his
statement is unjust and unfair to the
members of the Ways and Means Com
mittee The Democratic representa-
tives In Congress will support the
bill.
Schedule Cut In Half.
| The Ways and Means Committee
have cut In half the whole WOOL
schedule. They have reduced the
duties on manufactured goods as low
as they were under the Wilson bill,
that Mr. Bryan voted for. when raw
wool was placed on the free list In
that reduction, they have fallen short
| of S40.000,000 now raised by wool
By s1S.00o.Ooo, and it was necessary in
order to secure this revenue to place a
revenue Tax on raw WOOL imported int o
| the United States 2.
If the Wilson bill. which Mr.. BRYAN
voted for. was an honest reduction If
the tariff in the Interest OF the peo-
| pie, bill that reduces the taxes on
WOODEN goods which the people buy as
| low as under the bill Bryan voted
for, and advocated. certainly canno.
| be a protective measure from this
standpoint.
| The fact that in reducing these taxes
on wooden goods, we have levied a
small tax on the manufacturers, does
not in any way Increase the burde EN- to
(he purchasers of wooden goods"
| The Democratic leader explained that
| The party and the committee are con
| fronted with deficiency In the treas
ury: that the government needs more
money. and that the Income tax is ms
| yet unratified. He said the commit
tee. in reducing the tariff has to SO
write the schedules that they would
bring at least as much revenue as
under the present law.
THE Democratic party" Mr.. Under
! wood concluded, Stands essentially.
for tariff for revenues, which means
we shall collect from the custom
houses the revenue required for the
expenses of the government 1t does
not stand for free trade, and do not
believe when this bill Is published
and the people understand the facts
! they will be misled by the statements