Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1913-09-30
FIRST Speech
FOR TARIFF IS
MADE
SENATOR UNDERWOOD LEADS OFF
WITH PLEA FOR new TARIFF
MEASURE AVERAGE DUTY IS 26
PER CENT.==SAYS DEMOCRATIC
PLEDGES ARE REDEEMED.
MEASURE MAKES END
OF PROTECTIVE PRINCIPLE

w doIlhsotOils ~ ~, bNPt' op' hN
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 century,
said Representative Oscar w. Under
wood, Democratic leader of the House
in the opening speech today in sup
port of the conference report on the
tariff bill.
''The bill as now before the house
is lower in it's rates than either 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 receded from
over one-half of it's increases.
This tariff bill with it's rs per cent
average, is almost as low as the ia
nous Walker tariff, which had low du-
ties on liquor and tobacco. Besides
it's great reductions 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.
MI. OIlutl W uOu SlettVihVht was
greeted with applause from the Dem
ocratic side of the house. In contrast
with the average tariff of 26 per cent
ad valorem in the Underwood-Si
mons bill, he said the existing Payne
law has an average of over forty per
cent and the Wilson bill passed by the
last Democratic administration had an
average of over 80 per cent The rev.
enus under the new law, Mr.. Under
wood said, would yield a surplus of
$1S,0O0,000 over estimated government
expenditures in 1915. He gave the
house the treasury experts figures,
made public yesterday, showing that
the total government revenue in 1915
would be s1,O26, 100000, expenditures
s1,00S, 100000. surplus s1S,000,O00.
after three years of battle, today
the Democratic party is prepared to
keep its pledges to the American peo |
ple," continued Mr.. Underwood mo /
matter what criticisms our adversa- |
ries may have of this bill, no matter
whether they believe it wise or work
able. no man can deny that the repre- /
sentatives of the American people, |
constituting the Democratic party in !
congress have kept every pledge made !
four years ago and two years ago IN
reference to the reduction of tariff |
taxation.
81 do not believe there is any dan
ger of this tariff working an injury to
the great producing interests of the
United States. They have in the past
been surrounded by artificial condi-
tions. This bill will force them to
modify the change these artificial con-
ditions to bring their business down
to a safe and sound level.
But l believe the country has not
waited for this bill to accomplish that
readiustment of business. Seeing the /
inevitable change of tariff, business in
terests already have prepared for the ,
situation.
when this law is passed industry |
and finance in the United States will
move onward. I believe an era of
prosperity and progress is ahead OF
U.S. If it does come and my expecta'
tions are realized, the bill will mark
the end in this country of the princi-
Pile of protective tariff for personal
greed"
Mr. Underwood was greeted with
prolonged applause from the Demo
Gratis when he concluded. He was fol-
lowed by Representative Payne, Re.
publican author of the existing tariff
law, and leader of the Republican con
ferees on the Underwood-Simmons
bill. I
Mr.. Payne declared the Democrats
had over estimated the revenues that
would be secured under the new bill.
You have prepared your guesses
on the basis that the present pros
perity will continue" said Mr.. Payne, |
but you are all trembling now for
fear it will not
Mr.. Payne declared American com
merce and industry had developed .
greatly under the Republican tariff
and would suffer disastrous setback
under the new Democratic law.
Under the agreement for debate on
the conference report itself Represen-
tative Underwood, Democrat, was al
lowed to control 2 il hours time, J,
Representative Payne, Republican,
3-4 hours and Representative Muir
dock, Progressive, 30 minutes.
Representative Payne declared
President Wilson's influence had
moulded the tariff bill throughout and |
that individual members of congress
had yielded their own opinions to the !
president. He did not charge the presi-
dent had used patronage to secure the |
support of the bill, but said: ut was
always a good thing to have lot of |.
appointments on hand when you want
to get tariff bill through
Mr. Payne declared that Democrats
had ceased to promise that the tariff |
bill would reduce the cost of living.
That's what you said last fall on !,
the platform" he said. "1n decency, !
you ought to keep it up now. But