Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-21

greatly more than the proposed - per
cent, reaching in some cases - and ION
per cent, and on other articles, instead
of being decrease. there was an IN
crease all the way from to 100 per
cent. The bill was supposed to be a
concession to the North Carolina cotton
interests and to be intended to cheaper
the bleaching, dyeing and coloring mate
rails needed in that business. The very
comical effect of the bill as amended was
that instead of reducing the duty on
bleaching powder % per cent il increased
1t 40 per cent. But even more serious
defect in the bill was in those changes
affecting the alcoholic compounds con-
tanned in four or five items in respect to
which the Payne bill and in all previous
tariff bills. in order to prevent the use
of these items to import alcohol at Il
small duty. compensatory duties had
been imposed of about 10 cents a pound.
or 500 a gallon.
Under the provisions of the new bill
these alcoholic compounds and articles
containing alcohol would come in at a
duty making the tax on alcohol from
= to 10 cents a gallon, while the internal
revenue tax on alcohol in this country is
S1.1O per proof gallon. and the duty i'm
posed on IL as an import l. $3.50 gal
lon. The opportunities for the introduc-
ton of cheap alcohol and the danger OF
evasion or the breaking down of the
internal revenue law by such a change in
the chemical schedule need hardly elab-
crate. The bill was impossible, and of
course l vetoed It, There was in the
passage of the bill. in the amendments
and in the general treatment an indica-
ton that the support OF the bill was
based rather on desire to make a poIit-
teal record in favor of lower duties than
upon a serious proposal to change the
law. AT least this is the only explanation
that can be offered of the careless, in
artificial and altogether unsatisfactory
character of the three bills.
Il have gone into this matter at CON
siderable detail in order that my position
with respect to these bills and the gen
eral treatment of the tariff may be under
stood. am in favor of the reduction of
the tariff wherever il can be done and
still give a living measure of protection
TO those industries of the country that
need il. But | insist that We have reach
ed now a point in the history of tariff
making when every one ought to realize
that the tariff should not be changed and
business disturbed. except upon informa-
ton which shall enable us TO pass bills
that will disturb it least. Our whole bust
ness system rests upon the protective
tariff basis.
THE real hope of men who are in favor
of lowering duties is to pursue the policy
of securing accurate Information to keep
the tariff rates down as low as possible
consistent with the life OF the business
protected. The natural operation of the
tariff under those conditions and Ameri-
cost of production. and that in itself Will
secure if we adhere to the policy. re-
duction of the tar RI rates from time to
time; but to cut them now with black
smiths tools is 70 invite in the next two
or four wears a revuIs;cn Of feeling, and
then q recurrence of higher rates and the
old system of high tGrihs. This l would
denrecate and 50 far as / can with the
powers given me bv the Constitution.
propose to stop such a movement and to
secure n reduction in accordance with the
principles of the republican p'atform. and
on Information accurate and impartial. If
that policy is not approved by the eiec-
torate then, of course. those OF us VINO
are now in Office mus. give way to men
who will carry out a different nol'cy: but
while we are in Office olll noSition ought
clearly tn be understood We follow this
policy not only because We are pledged
to it. but because we believe Il right.
because we believe that full discussion
and clear percnntion on the mart OF the
people will convince them ultimately to
approve and adopt it.