The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-09
President Taft Returns the
Wool Tariff Measure
To Congress With a Message
Carrying His Objections.
SAYS RATES ARE TOO Low
1t Is the Same One He Vetoed
Last Year.
Is Willing to Approve MOder-
ate Reduction, He Says.

Washington, Aug. 9.-For the Sec
ond time within year, President Taft
vetoed a bill to revise the wool tariff
schedule K, of the Payne-Aldrich
law
With a message of disapprovaI, the
president returned to congress the bill
evolved as a compromise between the
house and senate. holding that it's
low rates would bring disaster 20
home industries. He appealed to con-
gress however, not to adjourn until it
had enacted a measure to substantial
ly reduce unnecessary existing duties,''
without destroying protection for the
Wool industry in the United States.
The presidents disapproval of the
wool bill is to be followed with similar
VetoeS of the steel bill and the cotton
bill. The sugar bill is likely to be We
toed, as is the excise tax bill the lat
ter probably on the ground that the |
president believes it unconstitutional. |
Il shall stand by my pledges 10
maintain a degree of protection nee
essary to offset the differences in cost
of production here and abroad, and |
will heartily approve of any bill ce- |
ducing duties to this level wrote Mr.. |
Taft. While the bill vetoed today and |
the one disapproved last year were |
reasons differed. He vetoed the for
mer bill because it had been framed
before the tariff boards report-the
latter because he said it had been
framed with disregard for the boards
findings.
Rates Too Low.
Most of the rates in the submitted
BILL wrote the president, ARE so low
in themselves that if enacted into law
the inevita BILE result would be ire
trievable injury to the wool growing
industry, the enforced idleness Of
much of our wool com bing and spin
ming machinery and of thousands of
looms and the consequent throwing
out of employment of thousands of
workmen.
The bill sent to the White House i'm
posed an advalorem duty of 90 per cent
on raw wool and on clothes of 49 per {
to protect the wool grower |
and the manufacturer.
1t was predicted today that the wool {
bill might be passed by the House over
Mr.. Taft's veto. but there was some
doubt as to it's fate in the senate. Re
publican leaders were inclined to be-
lieve that it would fail of passage there
as it did 12 months ago.
The president declared in his message
that he was anxious to see Schedule K
revised downward and that he would he
glad to see congress remain in Wash
iEgton until a bill he considered proper
was sent to the White House He found =
it impossible, he said, in view of the
the submitted measure but de-
clared one agreeable to his views hal
been drafted by minority members Of ,
the house ways and means committee. |
strongly desire to reduce duties,'' ;
read the message, provided only the ! !
protective system be maintained and
that industries now established be not ! !
1estroyed- 1t now appears from the
tariff boards report and from bills in
-roduced into the house and senate that
q flT~elv4 \
me requirements of protection and :
still offer a reduction of 20 per cent on
most wool and of from 20 per cent to so l
per cent on cloths. I
Appeals for Action. :
cannot act on the assum ption that :
majority of either house VIII prefer !
10 pass bill of this kind. 1 there !
ore urge upon congress that it do not T
ADJOURN without taking advantage of
ne plain opportunity thus substantial
y to reduce unnecessary existing du- t
les l appeal to congress to recon Il
'lder the measure, which 1 now re-
urn without my approval and to adopt a
| substitute therefor, making Substan- +
ial reductions below the rates of the
present act, which the tariff board j
shows possible, without destroying any
ssta blshed industry. or throwing any 6
wage earners out of employment and
which will promptly approve. Il
Despite the efforts that have been
made to discredit the work of the tar 7
IL bOdAur IIlSlI r0pOEl Oh lHlS SCn6QuleI
las been accepted with scarcely dis 7
'enting voice. by all those familiar
With the problems discussed, includ-
ng active representatives of organiza- j
ions formed in the interest of the pub .
ic and the consumer"
The message sent to the house to-
lay was drawn after conferences be- -,
ween the president and Chairman
Emery of the tariff board. It was
submitted to the cabinet yesterday at
special meeting.
Reports that two members of the I
Presidents official family urged hum Il
o approve this measure. We're denied