The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-20
But Loss Is Small When
Compared With
Benefits.
GREAT SAVING
TO THE PEOPLE
In Making Report to House,
Committee Declares That Pro
tective Tariff Theory Has
Broken Down and Admin
istration Admits 1t.
Quotes Taft.

Washington. April 1e--The majority
report of the Ways and Means Commit
tee on the so-cailed farmers free list
bill. submitted to the House to DAY by
Chairman Underwood, is q merger Of
Democratic political argument and an
analysis of the proposed duty eXcmp-
tions.
The report shows tina the bill would
reduce the tariff revenue sl0,ol6i95.
based on the importations for the last
fiscal year. an amount described as
"inconsiderab bic In comparison with the
great saving and advantages to all Of
our people from the additions to tho
free list provided for.''
Presidents Speeches Quoted.
Quoting President Taft's recent
Canadian 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, he (thc Presidency has admitted
that tariff rates arc too high, that such
rates have resulted In excessively high
prices, felt especially In the increased
cost of living which now bears heavily
on our people. and that they have
not received the long promised bene-
fits OF domestic competition under high
protective duties
Referring 10 the Presidents state
menu that the Republican party had
modified It's tariff policy SO 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 committed
report says:
This is confession, as was the Re-
publican platform OF zoos. that the the
DRY of high protective duties, as put
forth by tho Republican party. has
1rA n IA In, tnfNC RI
trusts which prey upon the people have
been fostered by the tariff and that
under high tariff protection American
manufacturers have forced unrcason-
able profit from the people
Again, the report declares: The Ca
madam reciprocity agreement now be-
fore the House is recognition on the
iious effects OF the extreme protective
policy which has SO long been imposed
upon the country, and is an effort 10
mitigate its effects
Reciprocity Agreement Inadequate.
The reciprocity agreement, the COM
mlttec asserts. does not afford the
American people all the needed relief
from high prices. Action on the
agreement involves the necessity Of
further and Immediate action in remov-
Ing n number OF duties on imports from
may be done 10 the great army OF agri-I
cultural producers, who, in the Cana
dian agreement, are TO have all the alS
legged protection removed from their
products without n corresponding or
reciprocal removal of the protective du-
ties most burdensomc on the commod-
tiles they must purchase as necessary
to sustain their lives and Industries"
The report takes up in detail tho clas-
sifcd list of articles included in the free
list BIZ. Regarding agricultural I'M
plemcnts, II says their manufacture is
controlled by trusts and com binations
that have sold in foreign countries at
tower prices than at home. building up
their foreign trade from $3,S59,lSl in
1890 to soS.l94.033 In 1910.
Bagging and baling materials, essen
! tlal In the transportation OF agricultu-
raj products. the report says. cannot
receive benefits of protection in homo
markets. and duties on them have an
noyed and burdened the farmers. 10 add
10 the profits OF eNacting trusts and
combinations" Concerning hoops.
bands and ties of iron and steel, barbed
wire for fencing. etc. the report says
the high duties make the people de-
| pendent upon the giant steel indus
| try" which for years has sold products
! abroad lower than to domestic con-
sumers. and declares that placing them
on the free list Will be "a long delayed
| II sure of equity and justice"
!. The placing on the free list OF all
| forms of leather from cattle hides and
| skins, together with boots, shoes har-I
ness, saddlery. etc, tho committee arr
| cues, will be of advantage In manufac-'
| turing and necessarily OF benefit TO
agricultural producers. as we'll as to
all the people.
Beef Trust. Assaulted.
ic ~ all nd In tie
| cussion Of the free listing OF fresh
meats and meat products THE exist
| ing duties on meats and meat pro-
ducts" it is asserted. "arc for this ad-
vantage of this combination only"---a
| combination that Controls tho mar
kets both in the buying and selling,
and the result is q substantial aGIi-
ton 10 the high cost OF living, from
which the people suffer"
Removal of duties on these products.
| it Is argued. will place the farmers in
| n free market as to foodstuns and food
! products For tho reason that the
! public desire that no artificial shell
| ter shall be maintained to protect alb
normally high prices on food articles
| in any form" the bill also seeks eX
| emptlon from duty on wheat flour.
semolina. rye -four. buck wheat flour.
| cornmcal and all prepared cereal
| foods, biscuits. bread and similar ar
ticles not sweetened
In discussing FREQ lumber placed in
the bill. hardwood excepted. tho report
maintains that tho ownership of lin
her in this country has become practi-
cally monopoly and has passed for
! the most part into the hands Of great
| corpora lions md interests which arc
| specializing on tho increasing scarcity,
| President TAFT is again referred to,