Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-12-30
REDUCE WOOL
DUTY.SAYS TAFT
Urges That Revision be Pro-
ceeded With at Once.
PROTECTION IS EXCESSIVE
Transmits Report Of Tariff Board to
Congress and Declares Many Rates
Are Prohibitory.

Congress and Declares Many Rates
Are Prohibitory.
Material revision downward at once
of the tariff on wool and woolens Is
urged by President Taft in a special
message sent to both houses OF con-
gress.
The message transmits to congress
teh Ions. waited report OF the tarin
board ON schedule X" OF the Payne
Aldrich tariff law.
The boards report shows, and the
presidents message emphasizes that
the existing duties on many classes
OF wool and wool manufactures. par
ticularly on lower grades and the I'M
secured raw material, and on the high
er grades OF the finished product are
prohibitory and greatly In excess OF
the difference In the cost OF produc-
ton here and abroad
The duties are so arranged, the mes
sage sets forth, as TO keep out OF the
United States entirely woods of fine
qualities which, II imported, might BIO
used TO displace the cheap substitutes
now employed.
President Taft points out also that
the cost of wool growing. of manufac-
turing and Of buildings plants is much
higher in this country than in the
chief competitor OF the United States.
and that this is not Offset In this par.
ticllar industry by any superiority or
greater efficiency of the American la
Dor The cost OF turning wool into
yarn and yarn into cloth. the message
sets forth, is nearly twice as great in
the United States as abroad. and that.
with the higher wages of labor, forms
handicap that has been overcome by
the protective principle. resulting in
the building up OF great industry In
volving the welfare of hundreds OF
thousands Of people.
The president points out that the
full duty is not added TO the price in
the United States. and that much of
the so.called Compensatory duty" Is
greatly excessive. competition here
keeping the prices far below those In
dicated In the tariff schedules.
In recommending revision and
reduction says the president, Il
therefore urge that action be taken
with these facts In mind, to the end
that an important and established in.
dustry may not be jeopardized."
He closes his message with this rec.
concentrations:
THE findings OF fact by the board
show ample reason for the revision
downward OF schedule X. in accord
with the protective principle. and pre-
sent the data as to relative costs and
prices from which may be determined
what rates will fairly equalize the diff
ference in production costs. recon-
mend that such revision be proceeded
with at once"
The report of the board. says the
message, Is unanimous. despite the
fact that II comprises three Republi-
cans and two Democrats The board
itself makes no recommendations and
the president recommends no specific
rates
Mr. TAFT characterizes the report of
the tariff board as the most complete
and exhaustive statement of difficult
and complicated subject ever present
ed to a legislative body. He declares
1t a monument TO the thoroughness.
industry. impartial and accuracy of
the men engaged in its making. He
asserts the belief that 1t will convince
all OF the wisdom of making the tariff
board permanent.
The tariff boards report struck
rough water as soon as IL reached the
Democratic house. AT the close of the
reading of the presidents message.
which was greeted with applause by
the Democrats. an attempt was made
to have the report referred to the
ways and means committee without
printing.
Republican leaders demanded that
the whole report be printed at once.
In the absence OF the Democratic lead.
er. Mr. Underwood. Representative
Ransdell. of Texas. said the ways and
means committee wanted first to de-
termine what should be printed.