The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-04-27
ASSA|L FREE LIST
Republicans Declare II is
a Political Trick.
DEMOCRATS OUTLINE PLANS
MINORITY in House Are Told Far
ners' Bill" is Only Start in
the Proposed Tariff
Revision.

Washington. April 26.-General dc
bate on The farmers free list bill
began IN the house with bitter attach
on the measure IN the form OF mi
nority report from the Republican
members ol the Ways and means com
mittce and the declaration OF Repre-
sentative Underwood chairman Of
that body. that the Democrats intend
ed 10 revise the entire tariff schedule
by schedule
The minority report declares thai
the Democrats are seeking only O.
gain political capital by the inuroduc
ton OF a bill appealing TO one class OF
citizens. asserting that the best inter
ests OF all classes Will be served boy
the adjournment of congress without
further legislation as soon as the re
ciprocity bin is written into law.
Mr Undcrwood's declaration came
in explaining the free 81 bill, which
he declared was only a start In the
tarin legislation which the Democratic
party contemplated. lie also asserted
that the bill was not simply "soothing
syrup" for the farmer. but that IL was
intended to alleviate in measure the
high cost OF living
The Republican statement says.
The pending bill was ordered re
ported not only without investigation
but without the semblance OF consid
Grafton by the committee. 1t was stat
ed in the committee that Il would re
duce revenue about Sl.5O0,0O0. and II
is now admitted that II will cut down
the revenue by more than 100000
and later admissions are likely TO sub
stantially increase this amount.
The measure was christened by it'
authors the farmers free list bill and
IL represents a transparent attempt at
the manufacture Of political capital. In
view OF the title, which It's friends
have given Il. It would at least have
been proper TO investigate the efec'
II is likely 10 have upon the agricul
tural interests
The president OF the United States
felt 70 his duty TO call congress II
special session to consider the Cana
dian reciprocity bill. That bill has al
ready been acted upon by the house
and instead Of bringing forward tarin
bills. nl-considered or not considered
at all. FOR the purpose OF administer
ing political soothing syrup TO par
ticular classes Of population. the un
derslgncd are Of the opinion that the
interest OF the farmer and everybody
else will be subscrvcd II the country
Is spared from further political eNplol
tation and further legislation at the
present time and adjournment Is tax
en- promptly after the reciprocity bill
shall have been finally acted upon
The free list bill has been placed
before the house II threatens TO lead
to almost endless debate before IL Is
finally passed along to the senate.
Amendments already are beginnnf
to pour in and efforts are being made
by free trade Democrats to enlarge
the scope Of the measure.
The bill as introduced by MIR. I'm
derwood. the Democratic leader. would
place more than 100 articles used by
the farmers on the free list
Representative Underwood. chair
man Of the ways and means commit
tee, opened the debate In explaining
the proposed measure he acknowledg
ed that II would mean a reduction In
revenues Of at least Sl0.0O00OO year
but declared that this would be more
than met by government economies.
Mr.. Underwood announced that this
was only the beginning OF the Demo
cratic revision Of the tariff.