Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-27
President Wilson's Signature
to Complete Enactment
Promised by His Party.
is TARGET FOR ATTACKS
BY REPUBLICAN ORATORS
Currency Measure, Next Scheduled
Reform. in the Hands of Sen
ate Committee.

The tariff bill is about to become a
law.
With the stroke of the pen which will
complete the Presidents signature to the
bin, history will record the first act of
the democrats TO redeem their promises
10 the people. made by them in the con-
vention at Baltimore when Woodrow Will
son was nominated after long hours OF
weary baIloting 1t will be target
for republican assault in the coming cam
paigns-state, congressional and national
and II the bill bears out the wishes and
promises Of its proponents it will become
a rallying point, around which democrats
will gather in their plea for further sup
port.
IL Is the first of the projected demo-
cratic reforms The second one is in the
hands of the banking and currency COM
mittee of the Senate. In the language OF
Speaker Clark. the tariff is revised down
ward by the blessing of God.
War Waged on Protective Tariff.
For sixteen years democrats have been
fighting protection. Now they are about
to make the holes in the protection ram
parts. and republicans. content to let
their old-time enemies have all the free
trade and reduced tariff possible, are
gathering their strength in those districts
where reduced tariff will undoubtedly
cause trouble TO manufacturers. ana the u.
q. p. under any name you may choose
TO call il, is going to take advantage
of every flaw in the bill: will point to
every factory which cuts down its force
or stops altogether every decreased out
put. if any. In short, all sorts OF ils
misfortune. bad luck and evil chance are
to be laid at the door of the Underwood
tariff. for the next four years, at least.
The bill is the widest revision of tariff
rates and carries the most radical rev1-
sions of general revenue laws seen in
this country in years Along with the
reduced revenue from imports, the coun-
try's funds are provided for by an in
come tax which will no doubt be the
subject uf tights without end in the
courts The general theory of the in
come tax is that men who amass for
tunes ought 10 be made to stand the ex-
pense of the government, while the little
fellows, whose income Is sufficient only
to care for wife and home and family.
have no tax to pay except the indirect
tax through the much reduced tariff.
In Interest Of Common People,"
The theory of the reduced portions of
the import duties Is that by letting in
competition on the things necessary for
everyday life the consumers. the common
people will be able to buy much cheap
er than they have been able to do under
the protected industries which have
grown to such enormous proportions un-
der the republican rule. The great
wheat. rye. barley and oat fields of Can
ada will send to the United States much
of their yield at no cost of duty, whereas
Canadians have had duties imposed upon
their cereals. ranging from 10 per cent to
- per cent advalOrem. Canadian lum-
ber. Canadian wood pulp, Canadian furs.
fish and vegetables will have free, or
nearly free. entry.
Wool will come from Australia, Eng
land. and from the mountains of Asia
and Europe. and for the first time in
years no duty will be imposed upon this
product Manufactured wool. cloths
clothing, etc. will come i'm under greatly
reduced duties. the theory that the
american people will be benefited by the
foreign competition thus encouraged
Under Debate Since April.
The tariff bill has engaged Congress
since April. 1t has been as bitterly
fought as the rules of the national legis-
lature permit. but the fighting has been
only for the effect on the country at
large Speeches made by republicans
have been for the benefit of the home
districts. The reason is apparent. With
a democratic majority of two-and- a. half
10 one. there was no way to stop the
legislation. The democrats argued II
Therefore the lighting in the House and
Senate has been simply for home con-
sumption. III the tariff bill is a success.
the democrats will get the benefit If IL
IS failure, nearly every republican in
the present Congress will be able TO point
TO the Record and. with finger on the
printed protest. say:
See, | told you so.''