The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-06
First Step in Downward
Revision Promised
by Democrats.
PUBLIC INVITED
TO STATE ITS CASE
Committee Throws Doors Open
to All Who May Be Interested
in Change Of Schedules-Full
Extent of Alterations Not
Yet Determined by
Leaders.

Washington, January 5.-The first
stage In the program for downward
revision OF the tariff promised by the
the Democratic party will be entered
upon tomorrow. when the House Of
Representatives. through its Commit
tee on Ways and Means. viii formally
open the doors 10 the American pub
lie for the discussion Of tariff rates,
protection to INDUSTRIES mad conces-
sions 70 the ultimate consumer.
The work will De preparatory to the
first change OF tariff duties since 1909.
v hen the Payne-Alorich law was en-
acted by a Republican Congress and
approved by a Republican President.
Fortified by the election Of a Demo-
cratic President and Congress, the
adoption OF a tariff reduction plank at
the Baltimore convention and the pro-
nouncement OF President-Elect Wilson
that tariff revision Is 10 be the first
achievement OF the new adrinistra-
ton, Democratic leaders Will open the
hearings tomorrow, confident that
they Will lead TO an early change In
many. II not all. OF the existing SEIZED
ules Of the existing tariff law
Method Not Settled
The method OF the approaching re-
vision and the extent OF the changes -
be made IN the present duties aTe'
points not yet fully settled by the
Democratic leaders in Congress and
President Elect Wilson. Il IS known
that reduced duties on chemicals.
metals. cotton and wooden goods VIII
follow closely the standard nxed oy
the bills which have passed the DEM
ocratic House during the last two
years. none Of which has become law.
The facts TO be brought out at the
public hearings this month and the
conferences 20 follow between Presi-
dent Wilson and the House and Senate
leaders may. however. result in I'M
portant notifications OF the big re-
auctions the House has put into some
OF the bills OF the last two years.
Republicans will occupy peculiar
place in the early stages of the tariff
revision. OF the men who sit on the
Ways and Means Committee now, pot
two Republicans Representatives
PAYNE. of New York. and Fordney, OF
Mchigan-wfll continue over into the
next Congress Representatives Dali
zeIl. Of Pennsylvania: Hill. OF Connec-
rjc,1t. I.onsworth. OF Ohio; Mccall, of
Massachusetts, and Needhan. OF cal
ifornia. all prominently identified with
Republican tariff work IN the past
will not be members of the new Con-
gress. although they will take part In
the hearings preliminary 10 the new
revision.
Urged BY Democratic Leader Under
wood. Sneaker Clark and other Demo-
Gratis. President-Elec Wilson is ex-
pected 70 set the date for the conven-
ing OF the extra session about Marcn
IS.
Informal conferences between Mr.
Underwood and Democratic leaders OF
the Senate have already begun ana
viii continue during the progress OF
the tariff hearing and the preparation
~ the tariff bills. Through these con-
fe-ences and consultations with Gov
erro- Wilson II ia expected that the
details II many OF the bills will De
perfected early in March. so that tariff
revision will start at once when the
new Congress assemblies.
May Increase Revenues.
While the Democratic tariff IS y
be based upon the revenue needed 10
run the governments. II IS fully UNDER
stood that the probable result upon
important American industries VIII be
taken into consideration in reducing
any of the present protective tarin
rates. Approximately 0ne-thiTd or the
governments income. about sSSV.eVv'-
0o0 e received from the tarin. but
in many OF the schedules the Demo-
cratic plans for reduction In rates
would result IN an increase In reVe-