Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-02-18
SENATOR WATSON
FOR FREE COAL
West Virginia Senator Stands With
His Party on the Tariff--Govern-
ment Costs Too Much.

Washington, Feb. l6.--That HI faV-
ors tariff that will remove the duty
from coal was the significant state
ment made yesterday by Senator G..
w. Watson, CT West Virginia, who Is
the real head Of the biggest soft coal
mining company. In the world Mr.
Watson's declaration for free coal
came in the course of statement as
to his attitude on the tariff
BY reason OF his big business inter-
ests, as well as because when he was
chosen Senator from West Virginia a
few W eks ago he was elected to his
first public office, Mr. Watson's stand
on the tariff is OF unusual interest He
made I clear Mt the start that he pro-
posss to stsnd with his party on this
question but he also proposes 70 know
what he Ia about and what his vote
means before he casts It, The charge
that the Senate is full OF Incidental"
protection Democrats has been fire.
quently made. West Virginia is one
Of the greatest coalproducing States
Of the Union. Mining this coal is Mr.
Watson's business. In the campaign
against him il was alleged that be-
cause OF these facts 1t would be Inn
possible for him to represent Demo
cratic ideas in the Senate and that, so
far as the tariff is concerned. there
was no radical difference between him
and s nstor Nathan B. Scott, his Re-
publican colleague, one OF the most
consistent "standpat" protectionlsts in
the Senate No one can imagine Sem
ator Scrtt standing for free coal. and
Mr. Watson's statement win probably
shock the other coal barons OF the
country. But to the plain people. to
the coal consumer, 1t will be source
If Fro@t Encouragement 1t will also
tend 70 alleviate the apprehension
that West Virginia had sent another
"nc'd ntal protection democrat" to
the SenHte to take the place Of a pre-
cotton republican.
"The tariff is a question: said Mr.
Watson concerning which NJ arly
every individual you meet has o differ
ent view II is a matter with which
man naturally hesitates 70 deal with
cut full knowledge and information.
am a aenocrat and In accord with the
Genernl and broad democratic princi-
rle Of "a tariff for revenue only. but to
frame Q tariff for revnue only is an
exceedingly difficult proposition. 1t is
2 grave question whether a tariff that
VIII raise revenue sufficient b. meet
the enormous expenses Of the Govern
ment viii not entail nearly az much
protection IS Is now given. That
oenu ne business methods In the adj
m.listrat'on OF governmental affairs
would greatly reduce this expensa and
recessitate far less revenue u main
tain the Government is an admitted
fact Alcng with the reduction Of the
tariff schedules I hope to see the dem
ocratic party adopt a policy that will
check the enormous vast OF the peo-
pies money and install system that
will enforce economy. BY economy !
do not mean parsimony. do not want
% cripple the government or handicap
rs many and varied departments, but
am convinced a vast sum Of money
car he saved annually by running the
government as nearly as POSSIBLE the
way in which a big corporation Is run.
The saving thus effected would great
~ reduce the revenue necessary to be
raised through the tariff, and render