The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-04-07
DOT NOW, HODGES
Kansas Governor Urges Imme-
date Tariff Revision.
Wires President on Opening of
the Special Session.
REMOVE DUTIES AT ONCE
Says Put Sugar, Wool and Lum.
Der on Free List.
Senator Thompson Is Opposed
to Free Sugar Program.

Governor George H. Hodges today
sent a telegram to President Woodrow
| Wilson endorsing the tariff revision
policy of the new president to put wool
and sugar on the free list. Hodges al
| so recommends that the tariff be re-
moved from lumber and urges that the
placing of these necessities on the free
| list be accomplished at this time-not
three years hence-as was outlined in
| the presidents policy
1t is generally believed that the
| Hodges MESA ge today will strengthen
| the Kansas delegation in Washington
| in its stand on the new tariff revision
program. All of the five Democratic
congressman and one senator are listed
as favoring placing wool on the free
| list, but United States Senator Will
lam H. Thompson will oppose the su-
gar bill it is believed, because of the
sugar beet industries in western Kan
sas. Although this same industry is in
Congressman NeeIey's home district, it
is believed that the Seventh district
Democrat will stand for the fulfillment
of the new tariff program.
The Hodges Message.
In his message to President Wilson
today, Governor Hodges said:
Your election is the result of the
failure of the Republican party to
carry out the tariff revision pledges of
their Chicago platform, as interpreted
by the people. Our platform means
free sugar, wool, lumber-now. Not
three years later. Putting these COM
mOdities on the free list means cheaper
homes, lessened cost of living and will
help free the people from the domi
nation of the trusts. Public welfare
must not be sacrificed to please any
Democrat who wishes to protect some
industry in his district. Kansas Dem
ocrats expect a Democratic senate and
house to give you loyal support in
fip,er hi ,,
There is no occasion, Governor
Hodges believes, for any member of the
Kansas delegation to fail or refuse to
support the new tariff program and to
put wool, sugar and lumber on the free
list Even the Garden City sugar beet
industry, the Kansas executive thinks,
is now able to look after its own in
terests without federal legislation.
while senator, l voted against the
state paying a bounty to sugar beet in
dustries in western Kansas" said Gov
ernor Hodges. 1.-The states refusal to
lend financial aid has not decreased
the area or acreage of beets. nor do
1 understand has decreased the out
put of the plant. Every industry, like
the proverbiaI tub, should stand on it's
own footing
If in the opinion of Governor
Hodges, it is fair for any member to1
oppose a tariff revision because it
affects some industry in his district. |
tndI memDer should cOnceQe the same
right to any other member of con-
gress. And that. Hodges points out, |
means no tariff revision. Discussing |
this system. the governor said, |
Represent Country. Not District.
81 do not believe any member of
congress should ask for protective |
tariff for any commodity or the prod |
uct of some industry in his district |
unless he is willing to grant to every |
other member of congress the right |
of a similar protection on some COM |
modify or industry affecting his dis |
trict-and that simply means a con-
tinuance of the Republican protective
methods. You cannot revise the tar
iff in spots. 1t must be general. APP
plicable to all and alike, or it will be
both unfair, undemocratic and a fail
ure.''
No word has been received by Gov
ernor Hodges from any member of the
Kansas delegation in Washington con-
corning his individual stand the
new tariff program However the
to the president today is clean
cut and open and puts the Kansas
Democrats squarely behind the enact
ment of a brand new tariff policy
at once. Governor Hodges, in his
Message. makes clear that Kansas
Democrats do not approve a program
which calls for the removal of the tar
iff on any of these commodities three
years hence. He wants it done i'm
mediately.