The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-12-29
VITAL WASHINGTON NEWS
TAvENNER, "WRTER AND THINKER" GIVES US THE
FACTS AS THEY EXIST.

Washington, Dec. 2S-An important
point in connection with the Presi-
dents message on the woolen sched-
ule has escaped attention.
1t Is this: Mr.. Taft is giving the
people a discourse on wool instead of
cheaper woolens. Whether the Presi-
dents message, which doesn't tell
Congress any Llore about the differ
ence in the cost of production at home
and abroad than it knew before, will
be accepted by the country as sat
isfactory substitute for cheaper and
better clothing, which he promised
in his prediction speeches, and was
in a position to give but fatty re-
fused by vetoing the Underwood-La-
Toilette wool bill, remains to be seen.
Here are some facts which will aid
the reader to reach conclusion as
to whether the President is now, over
was or ever will be in good faith with
the public when 1t comes to interfer-
ring with the profits of the tariff trusts
which make big campaign contribu-
tions to the Republican party. When
the Payne-Aldrich bill was passed Mr..
Taft said the wooden schedule of that
measure was "indefensible," and that
he would like to see II revised and
revised downward. At the extra ses-
sion of Congress Democrats and pro-
gressiye Republicans passed bill re-
ducing the abnormally-high tax on
woolens in a sincere and patriotic at
tempt to tighten the burden of taxa
tion to the users of woolens. Had the
President signed this bill 1t would
have meant reduction this winter in
the price of WOODEN clothing OF all
sorts for men, women and children;
also in the prices OF blankets and
other forms of wooden manufactures
needed for warmth by the general pub
lie.
But the President voted this bill af-
fording the very kind of relief he had
declared to be In sympathy with, fore
ing the American people to continue
to pay subsidy in artificial prices to
the wool industry OF approximately
$100,000,000 year.
II must veto this bill," declared the
President. but after the tariff board
reveals the difference in the cost of
production at home and abroad | will
favor downward revision of the wool
schedule"
This report Is now in, has been read
and analysed, and found to contain
practically nothing more on the sub
ject of difference in the cost OF pro.
duction at home and abroad than the
Democratic Ways and Means Commit.
tee was in possession of when II
framed the Underwood bill
The joke is on the public again. The
people asked for cheaper and better
clothing, and all they get, so far as
Mr.. Taft is concerned. is a nicely
worded but useless MESSAGE; words
as a substitute for relief from the ex.
tortionate prices exacted by the tar
IN trusts.
Getting First Hand Facts
Sixty of the Democratic members Of
the House OF Representatives are util-
iaing the holiday recess to make a
first hand study of conditions in the
Panama canal zone. Inasmuoh as the
canal Is eating up government money
AT the rate of several thousands OF dol.
lars day the Democrats hold that
II Is their duty to see. personally, that
this money is being wisely and prop
erly spent. The question of fortifying
the canal will come up soon, and as
penditure, the Democrats propose to