Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-27

find the data of the report too frag
mentary and incomplete TO admit of
conclusions with reference to rates of
tariff duty. Even under the most IA
vorable Interpretation of the report,
conclusions as to duties can be reach
ed for only a few paragraphs of the
wool schedule, and for these para
graphs 1t is not possible to formulate
definite conclusions, because the fig
ures vary widely. and seriously lack
uniformity and compatibility. So
much is this the case that justifica-
ton is apparently afforded in the re-
port for rates that are in conflict with
one another. 1t is thus seen that the
report leaves the question Of the tariff
duties on wool as much unsolved as
before the tariff board was formed.
so far as conclusions. can be drawn
from the boards report, 1t furnishes
nothing to justify any change in the
rates proposed in the present bill.
an making the computations from
which have resulted the rates as JUS
tiled by the tariff boards data, the
most expensive and difficult conditions
indicated by the data as attending pro-
duction have been employed with
view TO being more than just in the
conclusions. The necessity of protec-
tons to equalize the difference in the
cost of production beyond the rates
carried by this bill exists in but few
Instances, and these are in all proba-
4 he - hfnl NH oh
have been presented by the board and
used in the computations.
In preparing this bill of last ses-
sion and II. r. 22,195 of this session
no intentional provision was made for
protection, the endeavor being to re-
duce and adjust rates with a view to
producing the largest amount OF rev.
enue consistent with the proper con-
sideration of the consumer II is be-
lieved that the rates of this bill ap-
proach very closely, at least to the
best revenue producing points, and
that rates should, IL enacted into law,
permit such quantities of imports as
will effectively regulate domestic
prices. Such competition would be an
important service to the people. as it
would encourage increased consump-
don and production by making more
nearly normal the conditions Of sup
ply and demand. The report of the
tariff board, so far as il admits OF con-
illusions, shows that the rates which
meet the consumers needs also sufi-
ciently satisfy those Of the producer"
After reviewing the democratic at
tempt of last year to secure revision
of the wool schedule and the presi-
dents veto, the committee quoted the
report on the original wool bill to the
effect that 1T would be trifing with
the people to give further considera-
ton to republican counsels of more
delay In this matter"
Notwithstanding this conviction, .
the report continues, the democratic
majority of the house Of representa-,
tives. impatient to respond to the de
mands Of the people for the speedy
revision Of a schedule OF indefensibIe
rates, was forced TO delay further eff
fort 10 respond to the protests OF the
American people"
The message of the president sub
hitting the report Of the tariff board
and his recommendations that tbs
boards findings be used as basis fol
reduction Of rates, is then quoted
and the committee comments:
The committee has made a careful
analysis of the report Of the tariff
board in order TO interpret the findings
and to discover in what particular,
the committees bill Of the last session