The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1912-11-21

Industries and Private Indi-
viduals Become Ressive De-
spite Wilson's Promises
ASK HEARING I'm CONGRESS

Bryan Announces His Position
Which Borders on Free Trade
Speaker Clark Favors Cutting to
the Bone-Committees Ready to
Commence Work as Soon as They
Can Decide What to Do.
Washington ID. c. Post.1
Shall 1t be tariff with incidental
protection or tariff "for the purpose
of revenue" as written in the Demo
cratic platform?
When the tariff law to be approved
by President Wilson has been finally
constructed the country will know
whether Democracy, entering upon a
new lease for power, is a party of
radicals or a party reasonably con-
servative. Lulled for a time into a
feeling of security by the utterances
of Mr.. Wilson, business men and
manufacturers, viewed the coming
assumption Of the Democratic party
of full control OF all branches of the
government, with complacency.
The recently expressed views of the
dominant leaders Of the party in the
House have again aroused a feeling
of marked uneasiness. Thousands of
industries, in which both great cor
porations and private individuals
have their money invested, once more
are beginning to show evidence Of
alarm at the prospect before them.
These men of affairs, who produce the
grand total of American trade and
who employ large army of Ameri-
can workmen and skilled mechanics,
are asking themselves whether it will
be possible for Mr.. Wilson, no mat
ter how sincere he may be, to lead
Congress away from the radical path
toward which its legislative steps
arises in their minds whether the new
President will be in possession of suf-
ficient knowledge of the tariff to en-
able him to differentiate between the
glittering generalities advanced by
those who would cut rates to the
bone, and concrete facts so necessary
to a complete understanding of this
economic question.
By way of preparing for the extra
session which will be convened April
Is, the committees in both Houses
Immediately will begin the study and
preparation of tariff bills. Within a
month after his Inauguration Mr..
x-s1 no oil
ton intended to redeem a party
pledge, he has said the business in
terests of the country shall not be in
jured. Can he muster the infinite
details within that short time-de-
tails by which alone he can know
whether danger or security will be
the result? Or, on the other hand,
will President Wilson, like his pre-
decessor, leave these details to Con-
gress, keeping hands off until the bill
is finally in conference, poorly con-
structed, uneven and unjust, and
then attempt, when the hour is too
late, to compel submission to his
will, IL he then should suddenly dis
cover that the proposed law Ia injuri-
GUS to honest business and full OF
danger for the continued success of
his party?
Those close to Mr.. Wilson assert |
that he will be factor in the tariff
legislation of his party and will insist |
upon knowing every step OF its prog
ress and what every important item
means and how 1t will affect the
ccuntry and his party. II that IL
true, il he meant what he said, and
takes advice and counsel OF men who |
believe there should be revision
and a marked reduction
in rates that have established special
privileges, but refusal to cut where
reduction would mean real injury, q
conservative measure will come TO
him for his approval. II he remains
silent, as some other Presidents have,
the chances are that the injury win
be accomplished, and even the power
of the executive will not be able to
stay the hand OF the ultra-radicals.
Bryan Gives Advice.
Colonel Bryan already is giving ad-
vice looking to radical changes In
existing tariff rates. Mr.. Bryan stands
where he did years ago, on a platform
of tariff for revenue only. virtually
trade. II his counsel on this subject
is needed, 1t would be easy to fore
cast the nature of the Democratic
tariff law. Behind him are a number
of prominent men In the House or
Representatives. Speaker Clark, HIM
self, Is on record for an exceedingly /
low tariff. The bills drawn by Rep
resentative Underwood and vetoed by
President Taft are held by many /
Democrats, especially in the Senate,
not to have been prepared with prop
er care. It was charged that they
were as full of uneven spots as the
law they sought to