The Washington times., 1911-06-13
LA TOILETTE RAPS
RECIPROCITY BILL
Wisconsin Senator Bringing in Unfavorable Report
Measure-Declares 1t Was Framed for the Benefit
of Big Interests
.hedule K be placed squarely on an

I in schedule K be placed squarely on an
! ad valorem basis, with an average re-
| duction of % per cent. Schedule K,
| with its fraudulent compensatory duties
| and unfair discrimination In favor of
! the worsted and against the carded
wool makers, and its iniQuitious die
| elimination against the poor mans, and
in favor of the rich mans cloth, have
| all been exposed. My amendments, If
adopted, will wipe out completely these
| inequalities without affecting the wool
grower, and providing ample protection
for all manufacturers.
The cotton tariff lays its unreason-
BILE burdens on the masses who cannot
afford expensive cotton goods. 1t does
this by complex and unfair classifica-
tions. My amendments contemplate an
average reduction of per cent ad
valorum, and If adopted will at a stroke
eliminate these excesses and dis
ordinations, which cost the consum-
ing public, especially that portion least
able to pay.l not less than $50,0OO,OO an
nually. In this amendment, however,
as in the wool schedule, have left the
margin in favor Of the manufacturer
pending the report OF the tariff board
for guidance as to difference in cost OF
production here and abroad"
Senator McCumber, who is utterly
opposed to reciprocity. attacked the
bill as unjust to American farmers.
Seventeen reasons were set forth
by Senator McCUmber why he was
opposed to the bill. Not the least i'm
portant was the seventeenth. He said:
This measure Is subVersiVe of the
Idea of protection and II enacted into
law will overthrow that policy.
III this bill is Just and right the
unjust and wrong the committee
should so report
"The enactment Of this bill would
be great injustice to the agricultural
interests, Of all the Northern States
for the following reasonsi The occu.
patton of farming today pays less
profit upon the capital and labor ac-
tually employed therein than any
other important occupation in the
United States.
Why Measure Is Wrong.
Therefore, any legislation, the ef-
feet of which would be to make this
occupation less profitable, is both
wrong and inexpedient.
On the contrary. so far as 1t can
be accomplished by legislative enact
ment, the business of farming should
be made more remunerative and inVit-
ing. For the past few years this oc-
cupation in the Northern States has
shown an increasing profitableness as
our production and consumption OF
food products more nearly approached
each other.
Bat we no sooner enter upon these
new and better conditions when we are
securing for farm labor and for capital |
invested in farms and farm property a
more fair and just remuneration, than |
we find ourselves confronted by this |
measure which will operate as a check |
against any further progress and will !
have gained in the last few years by |
The upbuildinE and extension of our |
home markets.
For many years the population Of the
rural districts have been drifting into |
the cities because Of the more remuner-
ative occupation in the cities The late |
increasing prosperity o.. had 7
checked this fow Of
the farm t0 the cities. 49,
advanced, farms long
were being rehabilitate
general prosperity seer f..
Ing the farming popua
Farmers Hopes D..
BY destroying, as { .- ..s.
tainly does destroy, e'.-
farmer of the benefits -oa.,., .
home demand and his -...s ... ...s
secure just compensat ..- =. ..a.
we will again check OF .E....--r va. ...-.
and send ! .nS..5g g.. ..,B-
sands OF the sons I'D avFg-Fra
farmers to crowd the ..-z
For a number of .rs .. S.. %.
western farmers have .r. 70. FIg ...i g.
cereal products a pri ,-r--t
excess of what such
bring for export pu -.r.
markets of MInnea r
have for several yea
porting markets for
Of wheat raised in I
10 those markets.
ut is claimed by e..
oorters of this meas ns q. E.a |
export grain from s .r-s.=
United States our 2
md fixed by the for