The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-05-31
MR.. BRYAN, Mr.. UNDERWOOD,
AND THE WOOL SCHEDULE.

nual revenue. approximately hali
comes from raw, half from manufac-
lures of wool. The Ways and Means
Committee has proposed to reduce the
raw wool duties about one-half, and
the duties on manufactures still more.
This means that s2OyOeO,OOO of raw
wool revenue will be wiped out. At
first glance it seems to mean that half
of $40, 0O0, 900 of revenue on manufac-
lures will also be lost. This is not
quite true, because present duties are
so high as to prohibit a large share
of importations that would be possible
under the proposed rates; therefore,
the loss by reduction of rates is ex-
pected to be more than compensated
by increases in importations.
From the beginning there has been
sharp division over wool. Probably a
considerable majority of House Demo
Gratis prefer wool to be free. The
South has always been free-wool ter
ritory. The industrial East, aside
from wool manufacturing sections,
would like free wool and woolens; the
manufacturers would be pleased with
free wool and high-dutied products,
but, knowing that is impossible, are
sticking by their ancient pact with the
sheep men, to keep duties as high as
possible for both interests.
Mr.. Bryan has been understood till
recently to acquiesce in the plan OF
the Ways and Means Committee, with
proviso for a sliding scale of con-
tinuing future reductions that would
bring the country to free-wool basis
in five or six years. But the Com
moner has recently taken the other
tack, and denounced the plan for any
wool duties. He wants free wool, and
is charged with coming to Washington
7 few days and organizing an in
surrection of the free-wool Democrats.
As a result, Chairman Underwood is
UP in arms, denouncing Bryan's inter
ference, defying the Nebraskan, and
threatening war to the knife.
The present duties on wool and
woolens are indefensible, and should
either be wiped out or sharply re-
vised downward. That much is we'll
nigh universally accepted, save by
people involved in production OF wool
and its manufactures.
The question, then, is between the
two Democratic factions. Mr.. Under
wood stands for the more conservative
course. To employ an illustration
which has been used before, he is in
the position of a man on the TWEEN
tieth floor of a building, choosing
whether he will come down in the
elevator, or step into the shaft
The latter method will get him there
sooner, but in rather less available
condition.
The illustration is not extreme
There are people who inveigh against
skyscrapers; and doubtless skyscrap'
ers would become unpopular if folks
were compelled to leave them by the
process of falling down the shafts
But having provided elevators to get
them up, the management even Of
such a crusade would hardly insist
on forcing them to drop down.
So with protected industries
Twenty-story protection has its dis
advantages and excuses. The country
is no longer for it. 1t wants few
stories RACED off the top and modera'
ton established. But it is not II
favor of showing all industry out o.
the window. That method is hard
on industry. Right or wrong, indus
try has climbed up to the twenty story
level because tariff elevators were sup
piled for it. 1t ought to have
chance to come down in decent, or
derly fashion without scattering thu
whole business structure with til
mangled remains.
The Ways and Means Committee
plan proposes coming down in the ele'
vator. 1t would save the Democrats
from the charge always made, anc
often unfairly, that they cannot touch
the tariff without demoralizing bust
ness. 1t is trying to serve business
the party, and the country through
moderation and reasonableness.
In all the circumstances, Mr.. Bryan
makes a poor out at trying now tt
muss up the program. Small wonder
that he is being accused of trying tt
further his personal ambitions. Th'
House Democrats will do well, in thu
uncomfortable condition which Mr.
Bryan has produced, to stand by thu
sane leadership that their Ways anc
Means Committee has provided. Anc
that, whether they want free wool o.
taxed wool. Tariff excuses, produc
ing business disaster, will bring re
action and postpone that reasonable re
vision which the country wants ant
the Underwood committee is trying Il
Il ,;,,a .Tha mara haste the lns,