Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1913-09-30
AVERAGE IS 26 PER CENT
DEMOCRATIC LEADER SAYS THIS
is LOWEST DUTY EVER AT
TEMPTED
WILL NOT HURT BUSINESS
soLoN BELIEVES THAT INDUS
TRIES WILL CONTINUE TO
PROSPER

Washington, Sept 30. The rates
OF the tariff bill as it comes back to
the house for approval propose
lower taxation than any tariff bill
in the last three-quarters Of a cen
tury," said Representative oscar w.
Underwood, democratic leader Of the
house, in the opening speech today in
support of the conference report on
the tariff bill
THE bill as it is now before the
house is lower in its rates than eth
er the bill that passed the house or
the bill that passed the senate, for
the house conferees accepted all but
three or four of the reductions made
by the senate, while the senate reced-
ed from over one-half of its increases.
This tariff bill, with it's 26 per
cent average, is almost as low as the
former walker tariff, which had low
duties on liquor and tobacco. Be-
sides its great reduction on articles
Of general use, this bill places many
Of the necessities of life on the free
list, or gives them very low rates Of
tariff"
Mr.. Underwood's statement was
greeted with applause from the demo
cratic side of the house. In contrast
with the average tariff Of 26 per cent
ad valorem in the Underwoodtsim
mons bill, he said the existing Payne
law has an average Of over 40 per
cent and the Wilson bill passed by
the last democratic administration
had an average Of over 80 per cent.
The revenues under the new law,
Mr.. Underwood said, would yield a
surplus Of $1S,OOO,O0O over the esti-
mated government expenses in 1915.
He gave the house the treasury ex-
perts' figures made public yesterday,
showing that the total government
revenue in 1915 would be $1,026O0O,
600; expenditure $1OOS, 100000; sur
plus $1S,OOO,OOO.
"After three years Of battle, today
the democratic party is prepared to
keep its pledges to the American
people, continued Mr. Underwood
mo matter what criticisms our adver-
saries may have fthis bill, no mat
ter whether they believe it wise or
workable, no man can deny that the
representatives Of the American peo-
pie, constituting the democratic par
ty in congress, have kept every
pledge made four years ago and two
years ago in reference to the reduc-
ton of tariff taxation.
'T do not believe there is any dan
ser of this tariff working an inius-
tice to the great producing interests
Of the United States. They have in
the past been surrounded by artifi-
cial conditions, to bring their bust
ciaI conditions, but it is not impossi-
BILE for them to bring their bust
ness down to a safe and sound level
"But I believe the country has moi
waited for this bill to accomplish
that reimbursement, Seeing the newt
able change Of tariff, business inter
ests already have prepared for the
situation.
when this law is passed industr7
and finance in the United States vii
move onward. believe an era Q
prosperity and progress is ahead o
us. If it does come. and my expevta
tions are realized the bill will mari
the end in this country of the prir
ciple Of a protective tariff for per
sonal greed.'
Mr.. Underwood was greeted wit
prolonged applause from the demo
Gratis when he concluded. He wa
followed by Representative Payne, r,
publican, author Of the existing tai
iff law and leader Of the republica
conferees on the Underwood-s -simmon
bill,