Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-23


marked by the passage of the Canadian
lation. the statehood and ether important
reciprocity bill, vetoed tariff revision legis-
measures, adjourned SINE die at 500 O'Clock
this afternoon. President Taft, who had
just voted the cotton bill. the last Of the
three revision bills adversely acted on, was
present with members OF his cabinet
Presiding officers OF both houses OF con-
1 gress delivered short speeches felicitating
the members, regardless of party, upon
GOOD will shown during the session and ex-
pressing best wishes for them during the
recess Of congress. The regular session
Of congress will begin on December T.
President Taft's message vetoing the cot
ton bill was read IN the house at 2:o2 p. m.
/ AS in the case OF the wool and free list
bills the president bAseo mis- objection TO
the cotton bill largely on the fact that the
tariff board has not as yet had time to
submit a report on the schedule. He also
declared that the cotton bill was adopted
without any Investigation or information
of satisfactory character as TO its effect
on the cotton industry.
As soon as the presidents veto had been
read. Mr.. Underwood announced that in
| asmuch as the democrats did not have a
sufficient number Of votes to pass the bill
over the veto. e would be referred TO com
nsittee. Mr.. Underwood's motion for refer
ence Of the whole matter was agreed to
without objection.
Message of President.
The president objected especially to the
attempt by congress to add a revision Of
the iron and steel and chemical schedules
to the cotton bill as amendments.
! Il find" he said, that there was prac-
"a
by any committee Of either house. There
were no facts presented TO either house in
which can find material on which TO form
any judgment as to the effect of amend
ments either on American industries or
upon revenues Of the government
. Briefly reviewing the manner in which
the iron and steel and chemical amend
ments were added to the bill. the president
said
Il cannot make myself a party to deal
ing with the Industries OF the country in
this way. The industries covered by metals
and the manufacture OF metals are the
largest in the country and il would seem
not only wise but absolutely essential to
| acquire accurate information as TO the ef-
feet OF changes which may vitality affect
! these Industries before enacting them into
! law
Speaking of the cotton industry, the
president said the capital invested in 1903
amounted to SS2l 10000, the value Of the
product to Sos. 900 ooO, the number OF wage
earners to $4,000 making. with dependents,
| q total OF at least !, 200 900 persons affected
! with annual wages of t1ts. .ooo, 600 The bill
would not have gone into effect until
January 1, next, and Mr.. Taft said the
tariff board would be ready with a report
before that time.
ImpiricaI and Haphazard.
The president denounced the bill as "em-
piricsl and haphaEard" This, he declared.
was especially true OF the ehamical sched-
ule which had been revised in such a way
az TO increase the tax on certain chemicals
instead OF reducing them.
These" said the president are some
Of the typical Inconsistencies and instances
Of haste in preparation and Of error Of
calculation in the proposed sweeping hori-
Eontal reduction OF . most important sched-
ule In the tariff"
After citing a number Of increases made
in the chemical schedule, the president con-
tinued:
But the most remarkable feature Of this
amendment to the chemical schedule re-
mains TO be stated. The internal revenues
OF this country 10 the extent OF $50 90 OoO
are dependent on the imposition OF a tax
Of $40 a gallon on distilled spirits II
has been necessary In all customs legisla-
uon to protect the internaI revenue system
against the Introduction from foreign coun-
tries Of alcohol in any form and in asso-
ciRtion with any other article except on
the payment Of such customs duty as
shall make It improbable TO import the
alcohol into this country TO be used IN
| competition with alcohol or distilled spirits
Of domestic manufacture
Under the pfssent bill these precautions
against the undue introduction of foreign
alcohol in articles and compounds included
in the chemical schedule are In fact abol.
ished by striking out the specific duties
per pound
7 need hardly dwell on the disastrous
effects such an amendment In reference
TO alcoholic compounds would have on the
internal revenue system Of taxing dis
TILED spirits, nor need ! point out the op-
portunities OF evasion and fraud thus pre-
sented. OF course the change was not in.
. tended, but II this bill became law IL would
be made
OMre Information Needed.
; This bin thus illustrates and enforces
{ the views which ] have already expressed
; In vetoing the wool bill and the so-cauec