Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-08-22
WOOL BILL MAY PASS
OVER PRESIDENTS VETO
Veto Was Based on Ignorance
Declares Congressman Len
root, of Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, d. C, Aug. 1s.-"On
reconsideration, move to pass this bill
over the presidents veto" stated Demo-
cratic Leader Underwood in his place in
the house today at noon. whereupon was
precipitated an interesting debate of
three hours to override President Taft's
disapproval Of the wool bill.
The vote will be taken at $3.50 this
afternoon. the house having agreed upon
three hours debate, to be equally divid-
ed The very fact that the Democrats
have undertaken to override the presi-
dents veto Is taken by many TO mean
that they have the votes necessary to ac-
complish this result. The Republicans,
however, insist the motion to kill the
veto will fail of the required two-thirds
vote
Only the roll call will tell the tale
accurately.
Representative Ollie James, OF Ken
lucky, opened the debate for the Demo-
Gratis and Representative Austin, of Ten
nessee, opened for the Republicans.
The most notable speech OF the debate
was made by Representative Lenroot,
Wisconsin insurgent Republican, who IA
vored overriding the president.
The debate was enlivened by Repre-
sentative Austin's complimentary refer
ences to Speaker Clark, whom he nomi-
mated as the Democratic candidate for
president.
MESSAGE is WEAK.
The presidents veto is regarded as one
of the weakest state papers ever sent
to congress by an executive. The truth
of this assertion was made manifest by
the Republican leaders. who studiously
avoided discussion of the veto message
and contented themselves with defense
of the protective tariff system and the
constitutional right of the president to
exercise the power of veto. The mes
sage is full of glaring inconsistencies.
It is pointed out that the president was
ready enough to champion the reciprocity
without scientific information from the
tariff board, and that he signed the
Payne-Aldrich bill without any advice
from the tariff board. There Is also
comment upon the fact that the presi-
dent bases his veto upon the absence of
any information on the wool schedule
1t is urged that the veto power should
never be exercised by the president I'M
less he is fortified with Information, and
Mr.. Taft pleads guilty of having none on
this question.
1t is also pointed out that the very
men who are today championing the
tarln board VIII repudiate the same to-
ward next December when its report de-
velops the unfairness Of the wool sched-
ule.
Representative Hardwicl, of Georgia,
was among the Democrats who partici-
pated in the debate. He quoted from
President Tafts Winona speech, in
which he characterized the wool schedule
of the Payne-Aldrioh bill as indefensible,
and declared that the reasons cited by
the president for his veto are equally
indefensible as the president then
thought the wool schedule to be. He de-
clared that the president had no scien-
tlfic information when he approved that
indefensible bill, and quoted from the
same Winona speech to show that the
president at that time didn't intend taht
the work of the tariff board should be
made public. Mr.. Hardwick's speech was
generally applauded by the Democrats.