The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-05-09
FACTORIES
CLOSE Up SHOP.
Every Time the New Tariff 5iiI
Wrecks q Mans Business, PresI-
dent Wilson Will lssuesa
Statement.
WILSON IS ANGERED
reported TO Him that Big Business
Concerns Are Plotting to
Close Down In Spec
taeular Manner.
WILSON IS ANGERED I;

limited Press Leased Wire Service.]
WASHINGTON, May 8. Threats by
American manufacturers that they will
close down their factories when the
tariff bill becomes law because they
scannot longer operate profitably.'
we're sharply answered today from ad-
ministration sources. Let them shn.
/ down If they want to- was the atti-
tude taken by the administration,
but the rank and Ale OF the Ameri.
can people will be given an object
lesson OF the reason"
The iusson will come from the de-
partment OF commerce. It has al
ready started, acting under a section
Of last years commerce appropriation
bill, to investigate cost OF production,
living conditions and profits abroad.
This will be followed by similar In.
yestigations here Should any Amer.
ican manufacturer reduce wages on
the excuse that the low tariff made It
necessary. close his factory or curtaii
operations. giving similar reason
Secretary Redfield will act, under the
direct orders of President Wilson.
The president is very greatly an
gered over the reports which have
reached him that in; certain lines d
f&endeayor there Is already an under
standing to close down factories in 8
spectacular manner 50 soon as Itlis
new laH Is III effect aud blame hi
democrats. This action, he has beer
tod is intended to influence mex
falls congressional. elections. So ths
order has been given to Secretary
Redfield, a fund of 100000 for thu
purpose will be at his disposal In /
few days, to be increased to one mil
lion II needed, and facts and figures
to show that the tariff Is not the
reason will be quickly available.
Leader Underwood, author OF ths
tariff bill, made the administration
attitude very plain last night when
Just before the final passage through
the house of his measure. he faces
\ the republican side OF the chanbe
and said.
4 I give you notice now that If an,
manufacturer attempts in the interes
OF the republican party to threaten la
Dor therd is a bureau in this govern
ment, the bureau of foreign and do
mestic commerce, created by th,
democratic party, that will 60 int,
the factory, make a thorough invest
cation, and ascertain the reason
Why
Secretary Redfieid explained th,
plan to the United Press today. as fol
lows.
! nave recommended to Presiden
wilson that he make available al
appropriation of 100000 to cove
language in the appropriation bill
which states that among the duties o
me bureau of foreign and domesti
commerce are: To ascertain ait a
early date as possible and wheneve
industrial changes shall make It es
sential, the cost Of producing article
al the time dutiable In the Unite
states, In leading countries wher
s such articles are produced under
ciassihcation showing the differen
elements Of cost of such articles Q
production. including the wages pal
y such industries, and hours yen
pioyed per day; and the profits @
manufacturers and producers; an
.ne comparative cost OF living and tn
KIND OF living; what articles are COZ
j trolled by trusts. or other combine
eons OF capital, business operation,
or labor. and what effect the trust.
or other combinations of capital, bus