Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1912-08-14
TAFT VET0ES
STEEL BILL
PROMPTLY
PRESIDENT IN SPECIAL MESSAGE
DECLARES THAT CHANGES WERE
HASTILY MADE FOR POLITICAL
REASONS
CALLS ACT UNJUST
TO ALL CONCERNED

Washington, D. c., Aug. 14.-Presi-
dent Taft today vetoed the steel bill.
In a message to congress the presi-
dent said he disapproved the measure
because it provided for revenue only
and took no account of protection for
American industries. He condemned
the ways and means committee for
refusing public hearings on the bill.
His veto was expected.
President Taft gave as another rea-
son for his veto, that. the bill affected
not only the iron aud steel industry,
but fifty-nine allied industries, which
he said were worth separate classifi-
cation.
Mr.. Taft wrote he was not prepar-
ed to say there We're no items in the
steel schedule which ought not to be
reduced, but he pointed out that its
advalorem rate was an apparent re-
duction of Is per cent from the du-
ties Of the Wilson law.
"A bill for a complete revision of
year ago in the extra session of this
congress-" wrote the president.
Many increases and decreases of
rates are now made from those NAM
ed in the former measure. The
changes are not explained and indi-
cate the hasty method pursued in the
preparation of both. 1t is not fair to
ask either, on the basis of PROPOSE
ton of revenue, which was right? On
the whole, therefore, | am not willing
to approve of legislation of this kind
which vitality affects not only millions
; Of working men and the families de-
pendent on them, but hundreds OF
millions of dollars worth of stocks of
goods in the hands of storekeepers ant
distributors generally without first
providing for a careful and disinter
est inquiry into conditions O. tfs
whole industry.
From the outset of my admins
tration | have urged a revision of the
tariff, based on a non-partisan study
OF the facts. l have provided the
means for securing such information
in the appointment of a tariff board
It's thorough work, already completed
or several schedules has justified my
confidence in this method"
The president has said he also
would veto the legislative, executive
and judicial appropriation bill carry
ing riders to abolish the commerce
court and limit tenure of office o.
civil service employees to seven years
By doing so, the president woul6
hold up his own salary, that of every
member of congress, and every othe1
judge of the L. S. courts.
Speculation of the possibilities o
passing the bill over his veto are be
ing discussed by leaders of the hous
and senate AS soon as the presi
dents veto message had been reat
the house democrats began an at
tempt to repass it over the executive
disapproval The republican leader
entered upon determined hgh
against the plan and a long debat
was deprecated.
Speaker Clark this afternoon rule
that the question of considering in
mediately the presidents veto was
question of the highest constitutions
privilege and therefore displaced a
ether business before the hous'
Minority Leader Mann appealed froI
the decision of the chair but lost b
an overwhelming vote.
Majority Leader Underwood propo
ed plan that provided one hours d.
bate, to be equally divided, at tn
expiration of which a vote of passin
the bill over the presidents veto wa
to be taken.
Within three house after Presidel
Taft had sent the steel tariff bill bac
to congress with a message of disa
proval, the house today passed it ovt
mis- veto.
The vote was 173 to pass it,
against it, and one present and NJ
voting. 1t is not expected to repa'
the senate.