The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-26
MEMBERS DISCUSS VARIOUS
PHASES OF TARIFF BILL

Representative Gordon of Ohio, Demo-
crat, opened the tariff debate in the House
yesterday. He charged former President
Roosevelt with coercing the protective In
terests into supporting him by constantly
reminding them of the high rates in the
Dingley bill. Representative Palmer of
Pennsylvania, Democrat, declared the
Democrat party Is pledged to make no
tariff revision that would injure legitimate
industries He predicted. however, that
tariff revision must necessarily mean a
readjustment of business.
mo change in any tariff law of any
moment could be made without affecting
industry" said Representative Palmer.
TT would be a change not worth the
while If it did not. No change which is
considerable enough to yield a Dement,
anywhere can be made without corre-
spending temporary impairment of the
profits of industry, pending REIMBURSEMENT
to suit the new conditions. Every business
man knows this, but such temporary i'm
pairment is a very different thing from
that injury or destruction of legitimate
industries which the people have right
to believe we will not permit"
Palmer asserted the business interests
have been notified that the partnership
between the government and protective
industry is about to be modified.
Business may now take notice. he
continued that as to such enterprises
that cannot meet the new conditions, by
reason of the neglect, refusal or inability
to employ that efficiency and economy
which will permit industry to stand on
it's own feet with less support from the
government, the people refuse TO be tax
ed longer to accomplish the survival or
the unfit
Palmer was subjected to a severe
hecklng when he concluded his speech.
The Republican members demanded to
know II the placing Of a duty on serro-
manganese would prove to be a benefit
to the Steel Trust. Palmer's questioners
charged that this was discrimination
in favor of the Steel Trust and against
the independent manufacturers. because
the Steel Trust controls the national sup
ply of serro-maganese.
We'll. we can't help that" he replied.
I'VE have to place tax somewhere.
Representative Austin of Tennessee,
Republican asked II II were not true
that nearly every steel manufacturer
has opposed placing iron ore on the free
list.
isn't it true that the placing of iron
ore on the free list will save the Bethle-
hem Steel Company $4,000 a year, and
isn't il true that this company is located
Austin,
II thought" replied Palmer. that
the gentleman had quit usinng such poor
methods of insinuation. Everybody
knows that I am not friendly to the
Bethlehem Steel Company, and that the
Bethlehem Steel Company is not friend
ly to me. I resent this attempt to link
me up with the Bethlehem Steel Com
pany.'
Representative Lloyd of Missouri. DEM
ocrat. interrupted to remark that Charles
W. Schwab. of the Bethlehem Company.
had told him that Palmer was the worst
friend the company had.
II want to say this" replied Palmer.
that although the Bethlehem Steel Com
pany is not a political friend Of mine,
the men who work in it's mills are my
best political friends"
Palmer was followed by Representative
j. Hampton Moore of Pennsylvania.
Representative Gillett or Massachusetts
declared that the $1,000 limit in the in
come tax provision is too high. He said
that in order to encourage economy and
get all the people interested directly In
the expenditures of the Federal govern
ment, the tax should be extended to in
cIude moons of 81, 600 or more. He favor
ed light tax on the smaller incomes,
he said. He announced that he will offer
an amendment to this effect when the
income tax measure is UP for action.