The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-14
Continued on Page Two.>
HITS STEEL BILL
President Taft Returns 1t to
Congress Unsigned.
Says the Protective Principle
Has Been Omitted.

Washington, Aug. 14.-President
Taft today vetoed the steel bill.
In message to congress, the pres
ident said he disapproved the meas
ure because it provided for revenue
only and took no account of protec-
ton for American industries. He con-
demned the ways and means commit
tee for refusing public hearings. His
veto was expected.
Mr.. Taft gave as another reason for
his veto that the bill affected not only
the iron and steel industry but fifty
nine allied industries which he said
were worth separate classification.
Mr.. Taft wrote he was not prepared
to say there were no items in the
schedule which ought not to be re-
duced but he pointed out that its ad
valorem rate was an apparent reduc-
ton of fifteen per cent from the du-
ties of the Wilson law.
A bill for a complete revision of
this schedule was presented to me in
the extra session of this congress,
wrote the president. MANY increases
and decreases of rates are now made
from those named in the former meas
ure. The changes are not explained
and indicate the haSty method pur-
sued in the preparation of both. Is
il not fair to ask either on the basis
of protection of revenue, which was
right?
"On the whole, therefore I am not
willing to approve of legislation of this
kind, which vitally affects not only
millions of working men and families
dependent on them but hundreds of
millions of dollars worth of stocks of
goods in the hands of storekeepers
and distributors, generally, without
first providing for a careful and dis
interested inquiry into the conditions
of the whole industry.
From the outset of my administra-
ton 1 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
on 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 of
civil service employees to seven years.
BY doing so, the president would hold
up his own salary, that of every
member of congress and every en-
pIoyee of the United States courts.
Speculation of the possibility of pass
ing the bill over his veto are being
discussed and leaders are canvassing
the house and senate. AS soon as the
presidents veto message had been
read the house Democrats began an
attempt to repass it over the eXecu-
tive's disapproval. The Republican
leaders entered upon a determined
fight against the plan and a long de-
bate was precipitated.
Speaker Clark finally ruled that the
question of considering Immediately the
presidents veto was question of high
est constitutional privilege and there
fore displaced all other business be-
fore the house Minority Leader Mann
appealed from the decision of the chair
but lost by an overwhelming vote
Majority Leader Underwood provided
one hours debate, to be equally di-
vided, at the expiration of which a vote
of passing the bill over the presidents 6
veto was to be taken.