New-York tribune., 1912-03-22
OLD WOOL BILL REVIVED
Democrats Introduce Measure
President Vetoed.
WILL Jam IT THROUGH HOUSE
Bryanite Advocates of Free Raw
Wool Surrender-RepubE-
cans Prepare Substitute.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau J


Washington. March 21.-IsnoTinG the re-
mort Of the Tariff Board. and with the APP
nrovaI OF the Democrats Of the ways ana
Means Committee, Representative Under
wood une.nectedly introduced in the House
to-day the Democratic bill revising the wool
schedule The rates carried in the Dill are
identical with those in the measure which
passcd 'he House at the extra session.
From the point Of view Of political con-
sistcncy. the Democrats declined TO make
any change and will stand pat on the Old
bill THE Underwood bill carries a 20 per
cent ad valorem duty on raw wool and re-
duces the existing rates on manufactures OF
wool upon a average, ~ per cent
The introduction Of the bill at this time
surprised the members of the House, eX-
cept the Democrats of the Ways and Means
Committee The impression was that the
majority OF the committee intended TO make
? thorough study Of the Tariff Boards re-
port on the wool industry before drafting
another bill The Democrats ignored 1t, and
Mr. Underwood made the statement that
the Democrats found nothing IN II TO JUS
tify any change in the rates of the bill ne
introduced last June and whchAater passed
the House,
The free raw wool Democrats in the
committee had signjhed their intention 70
revive that issue before new wool Dill
was drawn. II was pointed out TO the
Eryanites, however, that il would be most
Inconsistent TO put raw wool on the free
list in view of the committees previous
action IN declaring for q 20 per cent duty
This political argument won over the free
wool advocates, and tho Democrats will
not even go to the trouble Of holding n
caucus TO pass on the Underwood bill The
radical free wool Democrats have reserved
the right TO make a feeble stand on the
floor in favor Of their real principles.
In addition to the argument that 1t would
he an unwise political move TO declare for
free raw wool at this late date. tho Bryan
Democrats were also frightened by the
thought of losing S21, 600 in revenue
q loss which the Democratic economists can
little afford IN view Of the pension legs-
lation and pork barrels"
Republicans Follow Tariff Board Report.
The Republican members Of the Ways
and Means Committee who have prepared
wool bill in accordance with the scien-
tifc data gathered at great expense by the
Tariff Board. will offer their bin as a sub
,titute when the full Ways and Means
Committee meets tomorrow. Representa-
tive Hill, who has drafted tho minority
bill, declined TO make its rates public in
advance, but It is understood that the Re
publican plan OF scientific revision contem-
plates specific, instead Of al yalorem duties,
end that the cut on raw wool will he about
IS ID per cent Other reductions. II is
reported. will range from 10 10 60 per
cent, the higher rates applying to so-called
Injuries The raw wool rate will be mad"
upon the secured wool content
The Republican bill will nc framed on
,irelv on the data furnished by the Tariff
Board. which has been disregarded by the
Democrats. Complaint against the Demo-
cratic bill. now reintrOduced for political
effect, Is that it's rates have been made
indiscriminatelv and without any attempt
st an equitable adjustment Of the schedule
as recommended by the Tariff Board. II
is generally recognized, OF course that the
main object I'm reintroduCng the wool bill
Of last session is TO reach an agreement in
conference on a nondescript bin which the
President may have TO veto.
After careful consideration Of the Tariff
Boards report" said Chairman Under
wood 'it was determined to introduce the
bill Just as we introduced it last summer,
carrying d % per cent al valorem duty on
raw wool. a reduction Of about % per cent
from the duties OF the Payne-Aldrich law.
We have introduced the same bill purely
as a revenue measure because IT was neccs-
sary 10 provide the revenue. IT was de-
cided also 10 make the same report on the
bil that was made last summer
''The committee could not find, after
.tudying the report of the Tariff Board
eny reason TO make any change In the
measure II was the unanimous conclusion
that no cause existed 10 frame any othei
bill and we will endeavor TO have the bill
nassed in the House as soon as possible
The bill differs from the bill vetoed by
the President principally in the duty as
sessed on raw wool The House bill carried
20 ner cent, but after the conference with
,he Senate committee the House leaders
welded. and the bill as finally passed car
ried a p per cent duty on raw wool.
Other features of the bill introduced are
Conbed wools, % per cent; yarns, wholly
or in part Of wool. 80 per cent; cloths, KNIT
fabrics, fets not woven and MANUFACTURES
NJ vvool. 20 per cent: blankets and flannels,
valued above 30 cents pound, a. per cent,
>rornen's and children's dress goods, etc.
AZ n.r cent: ready made clothing, - per
cent. Weddings, bindings. boltings traidS,
etc * nor cent and carpets, 49, 81 and 20 per
cent, according 10 grade,