The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-05-09
HOUSE PASSES
TARIFF MEASURE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

Ii BuAA u AvAAAA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
whether there IL real reason for cutting
their wages or whether II is-merely a
selfish attempt to put money into their
pockets"
Representative Underwood stated
bluntly that the administration would
cause Investigations to be made In the
case of every factory that closed on
the ground that 1t was forced to do 50
by conditions precipitated by the new
tariff. =.
Among leaders Of all parties there IL
commentator for the leadership dis
played by Mr.. Underwood IN handling
the tariff bill Formerly 1t has been
necessary for the party in power to re-
sort to a gag rule to pass tariff meas
ure in the House. This expedient was
waived by Mr.. Underwood. He first
thrashed out all differences within his
party In a caucus that covered a period
of two weeks, and persuaded his follow
ers that it was the part of wisdom to
let the opposition do practically all the
talking. This is what happened. Only
once In the course of debate was an
amendment offered by a Democrat.
All the other members of the party,
with the exception OF Representative
Sharp of Ohio who presented the amend
ment in question proposing ~ per cent
rate on raw wool, and the hve Demo-
Gratis who voted against the bill yester-
day, obeyed the dictum of the caucus
that the bill should be passed as 1t came
from the hands of Mr.. Underwood and
his political associates on the Ways and
Means Committee. Ample time was given
! all Democrats for debate, In caucus and
/ in the Hause. and only slight curb was
| placed upon the vocal abilities OF the
Republicans and the Bull Moose. Mr..
1 Underwood was warmly. congratulated
| for his forbearance by Republican Lead
| er Mann and Mr.. Murdoch, the Bull
| Moose leader, expressed his appreciation
for courtesies extended to himself and
his followers by the Democratic leaders.
| This tariff debate was a prosy affair
! In the debate. Only on two or three
occasions was anything like bitter parti-
Fan feeling shown. The orderliness Of
the whole performance is attributed by
| all concerned to the tact and judgment
of Leader Underwood.
To Raxe Tariff Wall.
The bill passed yesterday embodies a
competitive tariff according to its au-
| thor. 1t proposes to place American pro-
/ Ou all equality Win pIO-
| ducers, and Democrats insist that in the
competition that will ensue Americans
will hold their own, but that they will
have to be content with smaller profits.
/ They assert that. under the new tariff,
the domestic producer will not be en-
sconced behind a wall that cannot pos
sibly be scaled by the foreign producer.
| They argue that the new revenue law
| will help the consumer. in that 1t will
force the American producer to be con-
| tent with reasonable profits.
| Everybody concerned admits that the
Underwood bill represents revision down.
ward. Republicans charge that in many
important particulars the proposed law
invites free trade with the wide, wide
world. The Democrats boast Eat the
Underwood bill reduces customs rates
on necessities, and for revenue purposes
/ increases rates on Injuries. Raw wool
is admitted free. In the case of sugar
the product is to be admitted free at
the expiration Of a period of three years.
! In the meantime the rate is to be re-
duced year by year The rates on wool
manufactures are reduced from about IS
per cent, the average Of the existing
law to s. per cent. Corresponding re-
auctions are made on cotton manufac-
lures. Many products of the farm, such
as potatoes and other vegetables. are
a0ml1IcQ Tree. Inc rates OF udlGy pTO-
ducts are reduced about 80 per cent.
while four is to come in without pay
ment of duty. Meat is another food
product upon which no tax is levied. The
bill provides for tax to be levied on
all incomes in excess of $4,000 year,
the rate ascending according to the vol
ume of the income until 1t reaches per
cent on all incomes in excess of 100000.
| In the interest of American business
men, according to the Democrats, new
provision Of law, imposing tax of from
IL to 10 per cent ad valorem, in addition
to rates otherwise proposed, on goods
that are sold cheaper in this country
than they are in the market Of origin.
lis enacted 1t is also provided that
merchandise carried in American ships
shall be given the advantage of a pref
erential rate of per cent
President IL Victorious.
The Underwood bill goes to the Senate
with the approval of President Wilson.
To a large extent 1t may be regarded
as child of his own. When the bill.
as reported by the Ways and Means
Committee. was presented to Mr.. Wilson,
he made only two suggestions which
were adopted. He urged that raw wool
and sugar should be admitted free. The
committee, at the instance of Mr.. Under
wood. promptly complied with the
recommendations of the President. On
these two propositions. at least. it is
the understanding that the President will
4 insist that the Senate shall follow the
lead of the House. The Senate may
make changes in a number of rates
without arousing a protest at the White
House, but the belief Is strong that the
President will never consent to the i'm
position Of duties on raw wool or
sugar.
The taft bill will be transmitted to the
Senate tomorrow. 1t will at once be re-
ferred to the Committee on Finance, of
which Senator Simmons of North Caro-
lima is chairman. Present indications are
that the bill will remain in committee
at least two weeks, and possibly little
longer. The Democrats are opposed to
further hearings on the measure. The
Republicans will insist that time shall
be given interests affected TO be heard
before the committee. The Democrats
are in the majority and probably Will
carry out their programme without re-
gard to the wishes of the Republicans.
Until the situation has been shaped up
in the Senate it is not possible for any
one accura tely to prognosticate the prob