The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-08-23

table articles under the tariff at
home and abroad.
"The deep interest in the matter Of
an impartial ascertainment of facts
before any new revision was evinced
by an effort to pass a permanent
tariff commission bill in the short
session OF the Sixty-frst congress-
Because of the limited duration or the
session a Comparatively small majority
were able to prevent its becoming
law.
ION the failure Of this bill / took
such steps as could TO make the
tariff board 1 had already appointed
satisfactory substitute for the pro-
posed tariff commission and added
~ it two members from the opposit-
ion. Its attention has been especial
ly direct TO comparative costs un-
der Schedule X (woolens), under
Schedule NJ (print paper and pulp).
and under Schedule I Cotton manu-
factures). The report on Schedule
VI (pulp and paper) has already been
sent to congress. Full reports on
wool and cotton will be submitted to
congress in December. have also
directed an investigation into the
metal and leather schedules the re-
suits of which II is hoped can be
submitted to congress at its next reg
ular session in time to permit their
consideration and legislative action If
necessary"
The president. after quoting from
I. report Of the Tariff Commission as
socla'ion commencing the work Of
lie tariff board. continues:
II have thus reviewed the history
of the movement for the establish
hicnt of tariff commission or board
IN order to show that the real ad-
vance and reform in tariff making
are to be found in the acquiring Of
accurate and impartial information as
to the effect Of the proposed tariff
changes under schedule before they
are adopted and further to show that
II delay in the passage Of a bill to
amend Schedule X can be had until
December, congress will then be In
possession Of the full and sufficient
reports upon the whole schedule.
This brings me to consider the
terms Of the bill presented for my
approval. II there ever was a sched-
ule that needed consideration and In
vestigation and elaborate legislation
by experts before Its amendment 1t
Is Schedule X. There is a wide
spread belief that many rates in the
present schedule are too high and
are In excess OF any needed protec-
tlon for the wool growers or manu-
facturer. share this belief anc have
so stated In several public addresses.
But I have not sufficient data upon
which 1 can Judge how Schedule X
ought to be amended nor have /
sources Of information which salts
des me that the bill presented to me
for signature will accomplish this
result. The parliamentary history
OF the bill! Is not reassuring upon this
point. 1t was introduced and passed
In the house as providing a tariff for
revenue only and with the avoweo
purpose Of departing from a protec-
tive tariff policy"
IL did not criticise the method of
OF the bill but congress
s.onal proceedings make available
for me no accurate or scientifically
acquired information which en-
ables me to determine that the bill
supplies the measure Of protection
promised In the platform on which
was elected.
Without any investigation OF
which details are available, an avow-
cd tariff for revenue and anti-pro-
lection bill. Is by compromise blend
ed with a protective bill. Principle
followed Is not clear and the effect
OF the bill is most uncertain.
The Wilson tariff Of 1894. while
giving the matter free wool provid-
ed as high duties on leading manu-.
factures OF wool as does the present
bill. which at the same time taxes
the manufacturers OF raw material at
29 per cent.
When the Wilson bill wa, in force
many woolen mills were compelled
20 shut down. These were abnor-
malities and II is not necessary TO
attribute the hard times solely to the
'o!in act Of 1894. But IL was at least
an nH1t' ion IN faptnrS ,narati,o l.,