The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-17
DEMOCRATS READY
TO MEET TACTICS To
D|SCRED|T TARIFF
Some Believe Deliberate Eff
fort Will Be Made to
Create Hard Times
KEDFIELD is THE MAN
TO MEET SITUATION
Underwood Has Given Warning That
If Artificial Conditions Are Gre
ated Uncle Sam Will Take
Hand in Matters
BY C. E. STEWARD

By c. e. STEWART
washington, May 16.-CSpecial.)-A
great many people in this country who
pelleve in the democratic principles, par
ticularly the tariff, it is said, have fire.
quently voted the republican ticket he
cause of the oft expressed statement that
the great industries of the country would
bring on a panic in the event of the
passage of a democratic tariff bill.
1t was charged in the instance of the
Wilson bill that "the interests DELHI
erately set about to bring on hard
tines In order to create a sentiment
against low tariff. 1t has been a cam
paign argument for years used by demo-
cratic opponents that in event of demo-
cratic control of the government, and
the enactment of democratic tariff bill,
the inevitable result would be a general
reduction of wages in all branches of in
dustry.
Right now while the Underwood bill
Is pending in the Senate, and the indus
tries hardest hit by the reductions of
schedules in that bill are doing every
thing in their power to have at least "a
the Payne-Aldrich act restored, they are
In some instances threatening to carry
out the campaign predictions, if the bill
Is passed, and reduce wages.
Willing to Face Temporary Losses
Many democrats believe sincerely that
In order to make good on prophecies and
in order to poison the public mind agans.
the Underwood tariff bill and to effect the
congressional elections in 1914. many big
industries of the country will be willing
TO race temporary losses, In the hope of
future gains, by wholesale reduction of
wages, perhaps bringing on strikes and
closing down their plants and laying the
blame on the democrats and their tariff
bill
With the congressional elections COM
ing in November, 1914, just a little over
year after 1t is possible to place the
Underwood bill on the statute books, the
high tariff trust" by reducing wages.
running on half time, and closing down
some plants could bring about conditions
which would undoubtedly win for the re-
publicans many districts now held by
the democrats
But the administration is preparing to
anticipate the enemy in their campaign
for a panic. If the big industries of the
country attempt to bring about unnatural
conditions purely for the effect they will
poses to take hand and stand Between
the labor and the people of the country
and the interests who could create a false
situation for future selfish purposes.
Underwood Gives Warning
Representative Underwood in discussing
the tariff bill a few days ago in the
House, pointing his finger warningIy at
the republican leader, Mr.. Mann, de-
clared; THE statement has been made
that this tariff bill will act on labor and
affect the wages of laboring men. l
give you notice now that when the men
from whom you bring that message en-
deavor to grind labor in the interest of
republican politics there is a bureau of
this government that is going to ascer-
tain the reason why
Representative Underwood knows and
the administration knows that there will
be no necessity for many, If any, of the
industries of this country to reduce wages
because of the Underwood bill, and they
know If such action is taken that it will
be part of a deliberate plan and cam
paign to create an overwhelming pubic
sentiment for the restoration of the high
protective duties now enjoyed by these
interests.
If such a plan is inaugurated and de-
liberately set on (. OF, the perpetrators
may. without doubt, be held accounta BILE
under the Sherman antitrust law. They
would be guilty of bringing about an
unnatural state of affairs in restraint
of trade and for the purpose of foment-
Ing the psblic mind to the end that they
may accomplish their own selfish pur~
poses.
Redfield the Man
Secretary of Commerce Redfield Is the
very man to cope with such situation
The governmnt will provide ample funds
and place them at the disposal of the
bureau of foreign and domestic COM
merce for the purpose of thoroughly in
vestigating any and all Industries that
may reduce the wages of its employees
after the passage of the Underwood bill
alleging as the reason for reducing wages
that the new competitive conditions
created by the tariff law has made re-
ductions necessary.
Secretary Redfeld is himself a manu-
facturer of vast experience No one is
better posted on the economic conditions
of the manufacturing interests of the
United States than is Mr.. Redfield. who
has made such conditions study for
years. The manufacturer. or combina-
tfon of manufacturers who reduce wages
in the United States after the passage
of the Underwood bill, will do well to
carefully consider the proposition in all
its phases. unless they are prepared to
conclusively show that the reduction was
absolutely necessary tc their commercial
existence.
The Underwood bill may for a time
work hardships on some legitimate en-
terprises. This is admitted by its sun
porters. 1t would he strange If this we e
not true. and the bill was made up with
a full realization of that fact. but, the
bill was drawn for the country at large
and not for individuals-for the benefit
of the many-not the few On the whole
the vast number of varied industries of
the country will not be hurt, and their
cries of anguish arise not because their
existence is threatened, but because they
must surrender a part of their excessive
profits.
But they have fair warning mot t,
start nothing"
BelgadillO Hanged
Albuquerque, N. NJ, May 16.-Demicio
Delgadilla. 2S old. nati1a Of