New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-09-22
TAFT DEFENDS VETOES
Of TARIFF MAKESH|FTS
He Explains His Reasons for
Pressing Reciprocity with Can
ada and Arbitration Treaties.
IN FAVOR OF WISE REVISION
But Not the Crude and Hastily
Drawn Tariff Measures
Passed for Political
Purposes Only.


Trim a stan Correspondent Of The Tribune ]
Kalamazoo. Mich, Sept. 21-President
Taft .lade two notable speeches to-day
which are likely 10 be used far and wide
in the next national campaign. At
Grand Rapids he explained his reasons
for vetoing the tariff bills Of the last ses-
sion in terms so simple that none could
misunderstood and with a candor and
an earnestness which carried conviction
10 the great concourse Of people who
stood in a drizzling rain, eager TO catch
his every word and encouraging J .
with appaluse as discriminating as it was
hearty.
II Battle Greek. relieved from that
feeling Of delicacy which has precluded
his discussing reciprocity while the ques-
ton was still pending before the CanaCa
electorate. President Taft discussed with
no less frankness the merits of that pol
lev and the reasons which actuated him
in urging il on Congress. even to the eX-
tent Of calling the national Legislature
in extraordinary session TO pass the en-
sbling act.
With characteristic courage Mr.. Taft
accepted full responsibility for vetoing
the tariff bills and for initiating and
pressing the Canadian reciprocity agree
mart 10 passage in Congress. This
evening n q dinner in Kalamazoo he eX-
planned his reasons for urging the arbi-
NJ
the would constitute a giant stride in
til direction OF universal peace and Of
relieving this and other nations Of the
heartbreaking burden Of ever increasing
armaments. extravagant navies and ex
pensive armies.
u am in favor Of reduction OF the
tariff wherever II can be done and still
give a living measure Of protection to
the industries Of the country that need
f." declared NIr Taft. adding however
his conviction that the time had come
when tariff changes should be made only
in the light Of definite information.
IF I had allowed the wool bill 10 be-
come a law the progress made in public
vising the tariff would have been en-
tireIy lost and the policy cast TO the
winds" be said. after declaring that
tventy-eight states had declared in their
platforms for the policy of a tariff COM
mission or board and quoting passages
% thar effect from many of these plat
forms. including those Of New York and
Wisconsin He showed that the in
surgent Republicans had been most in
sistent for that policy although they
had voted for the nondescript and i'll
drawn compromises Of last summer.
Explains Tariff Vetoes.
The Presidents tariff speech was de-
liyered 10 an audience of over FIVE thou
sand persons. who stood patiently for
upward 0f an hour in a fine but steady
raj and showed by the intelligence Of
tl-.r applause that they were following
his every word. He spoke, in part. as
follows.
The wool bin proposed a revenue duty Of
n per cent upon raw wool instead OF II
cents a pound, reduction Of considerably
ard an average duty Of 50 per cent on
wOolleu cloth and manufactures. This was
svOWeC'v 50 d tariff for revenue and was not
CTaWu for the purpose OF protecting the
Industries 10 passed the House and went
G. the Senate. where an lnsurgent Eepub-
LCan senator proposed q substitute IN
which the duty on wool of the rrst class
vas nNeQ at 80 per cent ana OF second
ella. or carpet wCOls at TO per cent. and
The average percentage on the wOOuen
Manufactures was made so per cent ad
taloT1m IL was claimed by its author 10
0e "a protection bill 10 was never submit
leo fu committee, no evidence was ever
lSkeu iu regard 20 IL. and u was evolved
Dom tie independent investigation OF
single Senator A majority Of the insur-
cents and the democrats in the Senate
compromised on a bill which made the tax
On raw wool. first class, 35 per cent, sec
cnd class. 10 per cent. and the average
oCty on W0OIleus. 50 per cent.
The bin. against the vote Of nearly all
OF The regular Republicans and some in
tlrgent Republicans. passed the Senate
end was sent % conference, where a bill
ss agreed upon in which the duty was %
Ter cent on raw wool and an average OF
g per cent on WOOllens. This bill had the
tHecf ut "a Using the duty on CARPET woods
a. hNeC .u the Senate, l9 per cent and as
IAed in the House 9 per cent Here was
l.e hrst case presented % me. There was
ioinlg .n the record IN either the House
,f Senate from which / could obtain any
Information as 90 the effect Of this bill
-i.' f1e wool and wOollen industry Of this
-.-hNN submit that the history of its
l..t.'- shows no principle whatever IN the
l4- except g. compromise between two Op-
!-s-e principles for the purpose Of passing
- Nl without any indication as to its
'.eei on 're industry 20 which II applies.