New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-18
Not Clear in Principle; Effect Uncertain.

Not Clear in Principle; Effect Uncertain
dc not mention these facts TO criticise
the method OF preparation OF the bill. but
must needs refer n them to show that
the CONGRESSIONAL proceedings make avail
able for me no accurate or scientifically
acquired information which enables me 10
determine that the nil supplies the meas
ure OF protection uromised in the platform
on which I was elected.
Without sny investis 7tion Of which the
details are available. an sVowed tariff
for-reVenUe and anti protection bill is
hy compromise blended with professed
protection bill. Rates between those OF
the two bills ere adopted and passed. ex =
cept that IN some important instances
rates are fixed in the compromise at a
figure higher, and in others at figure
lower. than were originally fixed in
either House. The principle followed In
adjusting the amendments of existing
law is, therefore. not clear and the effect
Of the bill is most uncertain.
The Wilson tariff sct Of 1874. while Civ
Ing the manufacturer free wool. provided
as high duties on leading manufactures
Of wool as does the present bill. which az
the same time taxes the manufacturers
raw material az q per cent Thus the pro-
lection afforded 10 manufacturers under
the Wilson bill WAS very considerably
higher than under the present bill.
During the years IN which the Wilson
bill was in force the woollen manufac turers
suffered. ManV mills were compelled TO
shut down. These were abnormal wears,
and Il is not necessary 70 attribute the hard
tirnAs solely 20 tho tariff act OF 1854. Eut
y was az leas. an addition TO other factors
oTeratinc 70 injurc the woOlen business.
II Is tho ONLY experience &c have had for
q generation Of o radical revision Of this
schedule. and. without eXaggerating its
importance one pledge 20 a moderate pro-
lection policy NAV wei hesitate before
giving approval without fun Information
10 legislation which makes q more rsdlcal
reduction in the protection actually afford
ed TO manufacturers - wool than did the
Wilson act Nor does this hesitation arise
cniy fer fear o. injury 10 manufacturers
their business ara buy wool from domestic
wool growers. The latter win have no bene-
Al from the tarin that IS supposed 10 pro-
fscf .Enr1 because thew VIII have 10 sell IN
ccrnpe-iiion with foreign woods or send
their sheep 10 the shambles. Hence the
wool grower t. as much interested I'm the
protection az the manufacturer IS he Is I'm
IFS own.
Wisest Course to Wait.
II MAJ well be that conditions Of manu-
fscture f. this country have changed so
as 10 require much less protection now for
tho manufacturers than al the time of the
Wilson bill but in view OF the possible
v,tde suffering involved by hasty action
fssed on insufficient knowledge, the wise
course in nv judgment. is 10 postpone any
change for a few months needed 20 com
plete the pending inquiry
N-her I have the accurate information
vhicn ius,ifes such action. | shall recon-
mend ~ Congress as great reduction In
crbeAule X rs the measure OF protection.
!, Irsady st1ted will permit The failure OF
tbe rresant bin should not be regarded.
therefore. as taking away the only chance
for reduction by this Congress
More than a million Of our countrymen