St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1911-06-07
Democratic Policies.

Inc Special SESSION. OF congress has
brought about one result at least, |
namely, the revelation of the poll
cies the democratic party proposed
to champion in the presidential cleo
ton in 1912. First is reciprocity with
Canada which they favored almost
solidly in the house and viii favor
just as solidly in the senate. The
determination of the democratic SEN
ators and others not to allow any
amendments to that bill shews a
weak spot in the democratic policy.
Sen. Root of New York would amend
the reciprocity bill making pulp and
paper free if it is made from woods
on which no export tax is levied.
The provinces of Ontario, Quebec
and New Brunswick closely restrict
the export of spruce wood on the
theory that the pulp and paper
should be made in Canada. The re-
ciprocity agreement as negotiated
provides that Canadian paper can
come in free only when these provin-
cial restrictions were removed. The
democratic house instead of incor-
porating this conditional provision in
the reciprocity bill gave more-of
concession with the idea of inducing
the provinces to lift their restric-
lions, and provide that all paper
made in Canada from pulp wood not
grown on lands under restriction be
admitted free.
So it is evident that democrats
care nothing about fostering and pro-
tecting American industry if it can
only secure free trade.
The farmers free list bill seems to
be another measure of the same ma
ture. The party cares not how much
it may effect home industries or how
little it may help the farmer if the
duties are only smashed.
In the matter of free wool the par
ty seems to have had new light. For
years it has been arguing for free
wool but now that it is in power it
twenty per cent on raw wool in place
of the existing 44.31 per cent. The
duty on nolls, waste and shoddies
are also reduced about half. When
it comes to woods more or less man
ufactured the rate of decrease is
much greater. Here are some of the
items:-
Combed wool Or tops, proposed
duty 25 per cent; existing duty
| 1O5.19 per cent.
Yarns made wholly or in part of
wool, proposed duty 80 per cent; ex-
listing duty 82.38 per cent.
Cloths, knit fabrics and all man
ufactures of wool, proposed duty 40
per cent; existing duty 97.11 per
cent.
Blankets and fannels, proposed
duty 80 per cent when valued at less
than SO cents per pound; As per
cent when valued at more than so
cents per pound; existing duty 9557
per cent.
Women's and chi1dren's dress
goods and similar goods, proposed
duty As per cent; existing duty 1922
IS per cent
Ready-made clothing and articles
of wearing apparel, proposed duty
IS per cent; existing duty S131 per
cent
Braids, ribbons, insertions, laces,
embroideries, nettings and like ar
ticles, wholly or in part made of
wool, proposed duty 35 per cent; ex-
listing duty 87.O6 per cent.
On high grade carpets and oriental
rugs the decrease in rate is not so
large, one third being nearer the av-
erage. Of course it is not expected
this bill will be passed at this session
of congress but is put before the
country as a presidential vote getter
1t may prove vote winner with the
producers of American wool and the
American manufacturer but We
should hardly expect it to be. If it
proves a real benefit to America as
a whole it will shatter the old claim
made by Americans that they get
more benefit from money paid for
goods manufactured at home where
/ the laborer uses the money SO re-
ceived to purchase the necessities OF
life and SO sets it in circulation in
the same country again than it does
from money sent out of the country
to be circulated between the Iaborer
and producer there Perhaps how
ever it will not be this theory
that will be shattered but the party
which attempted to ignore if.
With the exception of the popular
election of United States senators
these are all the important policies
on which the democrats have yet
declared themselves and their re-
ception by the American public will
be watched with great interest.