The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-25
NATURAL EIlATTON.

NATURAL EIATTON.
Chairman Underwood OF the ways and means
of the house and the author Of the
Democratic tariff bill. 10 reported az being highly
pleased at the action Of the United States Steel
corporation in resuming work In his district in
Alabama, stopped two years ago. The work was
stopped. 1t was stated by the corporation at the
time. because the bill framed by the Democratic
house would, II enacted into law. make the work
Improbable. 1t was charged that the real motive
of the corporation was to coerce Mr. Underwood,
In whose district the work was being done.
However that may have been. the company
has resumed operations now in the face OF the
certain passage OF similar bill within few
weeks. Naturally this indication that business
is overcoming Its tendency to become frightened
at the bare mention of tariff reduction is pleas
very work that is now being undertaken having
been stopped ostensibly at least. because of fear
Of Democratic "tinkering' with the tariff.
But there are other signs that business has
determined to accept the situation. Many indus
tiles may not be entirely pleased with the
ductions planned and some Of them may hon.
estly believe that higher rate than that pro-
ure would have been more equitable. but many
are hopeful OF the future and some even opti-
mistic The Lynchburg Advance might speak
with truth for the whole country when 1t says
of the situation in Lynchburg, one OF the largest
shoe markets in the South;
The Underwood bill puts shoes the product
or Lynchburg's most important industry on the
Tree list This was done in spite OF the request
or shoe manufacturers including some from
Lynchburg, for a ten per cent duty. But SO far
as we know there is no apprehension the part
would be fairer, at least for the present to
tain small duty but they not pessimistic
They believe In their ability to adjust themselves
TO new conditions that may result.
Recently the Wan Street Journal made In
quiries Of large number of boot and shoe manu-.
facturers as to the effect of the free list of the
Underwood bill upon their industries The an
swers were numerous, the majority Of them, ac-
cording to the Norfolk Virgfntan-Ptrot, showing
no uneasiness. while many Of them give optimis
tic replies Says F. H. Hobbs, a boot and shoe
manufacturer OF New York:
The writer desires to say that he has NO fears
IN regard TO the change of tariff in the shoe
industries. If, as he believes, 1t will have the
erect OF making American shoe manufacturers
give more attention to the quality and less to
the style. OF shoes It Will be of great benefit to
the American public.
The smith-Brtscoe Shoe company. O, Lynch.
burg. writes:
We feel satisfied that the Underwood tariff
bin Will not hurt our business in the least We
are glad to advise that receipts of orders so
lar this season, over the same months of 1912,
SHOWS an increase Of 80 per cent and we are
making more shoes at the present time than, we
nave ever made, and feel that the prospects
for 1913 are better for business than they have
peen sinc5 the panic Of 1907
Paul Bros, of Philadelphia, says:
We believe that Il is time that the interests
or the great majority of the people--the com
mon consnmer--should be considered and that
the gain to them will far outweigh the loss to
the specially protected few, who grow rich
'hfoueh this unjust and unconstitutional method
OF taSsuon 1t Is safe TO affirm that legiti-
mate business will suffer by reason OF reduced
taxation on the consumer
Tho view expressed in that last letter IA the
view which ts beginning to prevail in this coun.
try. People are beginning to see that no pros-
perty can be built upon taxation. AS soon can
A man lift himself UP by his bootstrap To
TAX millions to give to the thousands cannot
mean prosperity to any but the recipients. The
Millions OF the taxed may secure some little
benefit indirectly. but the greater part Of the ag-
'regate taken from them is divided among a
ew. This nation has been governed for a spe-
ial class almost since its foundation. although
ounded on the theory Of representative democ-
'acy. 1t is time to stop 1t, and IT is going to
% stopped, and some OF the members OF the fa-
'cred class are showing their good sense and
,atriotism by recognizing the fact