Manchester Democrat., 1911-04-26
SHOWS Big SAVING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSERT FREE
LIST BILL WOULD CUT
LivING's COST.
QUOTES FROM TAFT SPEECHES
Ways and Means Body Declare Tariff
Would Be Reduced $10,o16,4s5-
Cannon Sees Peril In
Reciprocity.

Washington.-The majority report
Of the ways and means committee on
the so-called farmers free list bill,
submitted to the house by Chairman
Underwood is merger of Democrat
Ic political argument and AN analysis
Of the proposed duty exemptions.
The report shows that the bill
would reduce the tariff revenue $10,-
016 ,495, based on importations for the
last fiscal year. an amount described
as "inconsiderable in comparison with
the great saving and advantages to
all Of our people from the additions to
the free list provided"
Quoting President Taft's recent Ca
madam reciprocity speeches, the re-
port seeks to convey the impression
that the. administration is convinced
that protective tariff rates are too
high.
"In several public addresses" 1t
says, "the president has admitted that
tariff rates are too high. that such
rates have resulted in excessively high
prices. especially in the increased cost
OF living. which now bears heavily on
our people, and that they have not
received the long promised benefits Of
domestic competition under high pro-
tectiye duties" a'
Referring to the presidents state
ment that the, Republican party had
modified its tariff policy 80 as to limit
1t for purposes of protection to the
difference in cost OF production here
and abroad with a reasonable profit to
the American producer, the commit
tee report says:
This is confession. as was the
Republican platform of 1908, that the
theory of high protective duties. as
put forth by the Republican party. has
broken down, that combinations and
trusts which prey upon the people
have been fostered by the tariff, and
that under high tariff protection Amer.
lean manufacturers have forced un-
reasonable profits from the people"
Again the report declares: "The Ca
madam reciprocity agreement now be-
fore the house is recognition on the
part of the administration OF the in
furious effects Of the extreme protec-
tive policy which has SO long been
imposed upon the country, and is an
effort to mitigate its effects"
The reciprocity agreement. the COM
mittee asserts, cannot afford the
American people all the needed relief
from high prices. Action on the
agreement involves the necessity Of
further and immediate action in re-
moving number of duties on imports
from other countries in order that
Justice may be done to the great army
of agricultural producers who, in the
Canadian agreement, are to have all
the alleged protection removed from
their products without correspond
ing or reciprocal removal OF the pro-
tective duties on the commodities
they must purchase to sustain their
lives and industries"
Former Speaker Cannon vigorously
in speech attacked Canadian recip.
rocity.
Aided by large map of the United
States and Canada, he played the role
OF schoolmaster to a crowded floor
and filled galleries Mr.. Cannon as.
sailed the proposed agreement as dan.
gerous to American trade, inimical
to the best interests of American
farmers and certain to result in
depreciation of American farm lands
mot since the war with Spain and
all that followed it has there been
considered by the house of represent.
atives so important bill as the one
now pending" he declared. "On the
action of the house rests the well be
ing and the prosperity Of all the peo.
pie of the United States. Is 1t proper
on slight consideration to yitalize
into law an agreement that affects
the prosperity of every home in the
land?"