The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-10
Democratic Leader Of
House Believes in Five
Per Cent Discount.
HE CANNOT SEE
ANY COMPLETION
President Will Leave Matter to
Congress, but He Let's 1t Be
known He Approves of the
Views of Solicitor Folk.
Committee May Hear
Arguments.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch.


Washington, October Oscar w
Underwood, Democratic House leader
and father of the tariff law is pre-
pared TO fight to retain in that law the
; per cent discount allowed imports
brought III vessels under American
registry.
He will force President Wilson
should the latter demand the repeal OF
this section OF the law. to make the
demand known through a formal mes
sage TO Congress. The President. how
ever. let it be known to-day that he
would leave the matter to Congress
He approves the statement made last
night by Solicitor Folk, who favors
repeal
VIII Demand Reasons.
IL the demand comes before the
House. Underwood will call together
the Ways and Means Committee to
hear arguments BY officials of the State
and Treasury Departments to why that
provision of the law cannot be en-
forced. and how 1t conflicts with pro-
visions of existing trade treaties with
foreign countries.
II am satisfied with the law as /,
stands" said Mr.. Underwood to-day
he enforced. and that it will lead to
the upbuild OF the American merchant
marine. | want our merchant marine
Doubts Any Confiction.
II do not believe that the law will
conflict in any way with existing com
mcrcial treaties with foreign countries,
or that ii will endanger our receipts
from customs duties.
The Democratic members OF the
Ways and Means Committee gave the
provision careful consideration before
IL was incorporated in the tariff bill
1t met with their unanimous approval
Under these conditions should tht
! President send message TO the Houss
urging the repeal OF this provision o.
the law, ( viii call the Ways an1
Means Committee together and give
those urging the repeal opportunity
TO present their arguments"
VIII Have Support.
Mr. Underwood will have consider
able support in his fight against the
repeal OF > per cent discount in favor
OF American ships.
Representative Sharp, OF Ohio, said
II favored the principle OF the per
cent discount and am opposed To its
repeal unless it can be shown that the
Representative webb. North Caro-
lima:
Il am opposed TO the repeal of thi:
law in favor OF American ships"
Expression of Independence.
BY Henry F. Ashurst, Senator from
Arizona:
1T would be a mater of extreme re.
gret to see 4 movement now TO strike
I from the tariff bin this great express
| sion of American independence anc
American vigor. l regret that al
/ amendment ! offered August r. 1912
10 the then tariff bill could not have
been adopted, but weak. inclusive anc
/ inefficient as is the present provision
1 IN the law. il is better than none a
all. and should not be repealed"
William Borah. Idaho:
Il strongly favor the provision grant
I ing this rebate in favor of goods ship
! ped in American bottoms. We are get
d. ting ourselves into position wher,
1 II will soon he difficult for us to con
! slider our own interests without con
/ sultins or submitting to the diction o
/ some one from abroad"