Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-18
ity were able to prevent its becoming

ity We're able to prevent its becoming
a law.
ON the failure of this bill | took
such steps as l could to make the
Tariff Board | had already appointed.
satisfactory substitute for the pro-
posed tariff commission An APPROX
riation Of S225.000 to continue the
work until June 80. 1912, had been
granted by Congress in the alterna-
tive, to be applied to the board | had
appointed, unless a tariff commission
bill was passed. In this appropriation
bin, the non partisan tariff commits
sion, if created and appointed, was
directed to make q report on Schedule
X by Dee. /, 1911. Accordingly | add
ed two members to the Tariff Board
from the opposition party and direct
ed the board to make report ON Sched-
| ule X by Dec. / next The board diff
fers in no way from the tariff commits
sion as it would have been, except in
its power to summon witnesses; and
II am advised by the members of the
board that without this power, they
have no less difficulty in securing the
information they desire.
The board took some months TO in
Vestigate the methods pursued in other
countries in procuring information on
tariff subjects and to organize its
force In October, 1910, its work of in
vestigation began with a force of 40
that has now increased to so. In adj
ditien to the glossary which is near
completion, and other work connected
nection with the enforcement of the
maximum and minimum clause of the
Payne tariff act and in respect to the
Canadian reciprocity easufe. its action
has been especially directed to cora
parative cost under Schedule X wool
and woolens), under Schedule NJ (pa-
per and pulp and under Schedule |
Cotton manufactures). The report on
Schedule N (pulp and paper) has al
ready been sent to Congress Full re-
ports on wool and cotton will be sub
mitted to Congress in December. |
| have also directed an investigation tn
Ito the metal and leather schedules. the
results OF which it is hoped can be
| submitted to Congress al its first regu-
lar session in time to permit their
consideration and legislative action, if
necessary"
The President. after quoting from
report of the Tariff Commission As
ISOLATION commenting the work of the
Tariff Board. continues:
II have thus reviewed the history
of the movement for the establish
ment of a Tariff Commission or
board in order to show that the real
advance and reform in tariff mailing
are to be found in the acquiring of
accurate and impartial 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
a bill to amend Schedule X 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 terms of the bill presented for my
approval Schedule * is the most
complicated schedule in the tariff. 1t
Classics raw wool with different
rates for different classes; it affords
the manufactures what is called a
Ieompensatory duty to make up for the
increased 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 manu-
facture. and it 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,
pre&nt a complication of technical
detail that prevents anyone, not es-
| pecially informed concerning wool
growing and manufacture. from I'M
lderstanding the schedule and the eff
| feet of changes in various rates and
| percentages.
IF there ever was a schedule that
needed consideration and investiga-
ton ana elaborate explanation by ex-
lperts before it's amendment it is
Schedule +. There is a widespread
belief that many rates in the present
tschedule are too high and are in ex-
cess of any needed protection for the
wool grower or manufacturer
share this belief and have so stated
lin several public addresses. But I
have no sufficient data upon which I
lean judge how Schedule X ought to
/ be amended or how its rates ought
to be reduced. in order that the new
| bill shall furnish the proper measure
! of protection and no more. Nor have
/ | sources of information which salts
| ~ me that the bill presented to me
! for signature will accomplish this re-
suit The parliamentary history OF
| the bin is not reassuring upon this
point. IT was introduced and passed
| in the House as providing n tariff
for revenue only and with the avowed
purpose of departing from a protec-
tive tariff policy.
The rate of duty on rev woods of all
| classes was changed from a specific
duty of II cents a pound to 20 per cent.
/ ad valorem. on the average for the i'm
| portations fer the last two years this
| Is a reduction from 47.24 per cent. to
% per cent Rates on cloths were re-
duced in the bill from the present av-
| erage duty Of 1927 per cent. to 40 per
cent and on wearing apparel from
Sl.3l per cent. to As per cent, The bill
| dafaaf11 in tha