The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-15
PRESIDENT GIVES HIS
VIEWS ON TARIFF LAW
DOES NOT EXPECT IMMEDIATE
RELIEF FROM HIGH COST OF
LIVING.
PRICES ARE KEPT UP
ARTIFICIAL SITUATION Is DUE To
ARRANGEMENT AMONG THE
PRODUCERS AND corr
PORATTONS.

WASHINGTON. April 14-Presi-
effects of the enactment of the pend
ing tariff bill were obtained for the
first time today The president does
not expect that the revision will inn
mediately result in a general reduc-
ton of the cost of living.
In making his position known to-
day Mr. Wilson reminded his visitors
that he had been careful to say in
the campaign that he did not expect
the new tariff law To effect immediate
reduction of the cost of living. but
that what he did confidently expect
was that ii would bring about sit
uation from which the desired price
reductions eventually will result. The
president attributes the existing high
cost of living chiefly TO an artificial
situation in which prices are kept up
by arrangements among the producers
and corporations dealing in the ne
Cessaries of life. He considers that
these arrangements will ebCome i'm
possible when truly competitive con-
dition Is created by the Underwood
Simmons bill.
Quick Benefits from Sugar.
The benefit from the sugar schedule
he thinks should result very prompt
iy for the reason that the competitive
elements in the sugar trade, as he IS
informed. are already prepared to
contest with one another.
The president has received many
confidential reports from his friends
with regard to the attitude of the pub
lie toward the bill now before the
house From these he is convinced
that the house measure Is considered
"a fair bill" and he has been encour-
aged into believing that its reception
has been very much better than might
have been anticipated.
OF course, reports have reached him
of the strong disapproval of Interests
which are affected by the reduced
rates. but the president maintains the
belief that on all sides the bill is
regarded as a better bin than has
ben expected.
No Business Depression.
Personally the president can see no
reason why any business depression
should follow the passage of the
pending bill. He feels convinced that
any healthy business should he able
to continue without interruption, for
he does not believe there is a single
schedule in the bill where healthy
business has been cut ito the bone. "
Mr.. Wilson is not seriously alarmed
by the criticisms Wnlcn nave been
made of the bill by affected interests,
however legitimate their concern in
the rates may be. He does not be-
lieve that a single cut provided for
in the pending measure Is ruinous for
the industry involved.
Sugar and Wool Industries Safe.
The president does not except the
sugar schedule from this generaliza-
ton upon the bill, He has investi-
gated the claim of the Ohio Demo-
cratic representatives that the re-
moval OF the duty on wool will be
ruinous to the wooden industry, but
has concluded from the fact that the
price of wool is the same in this coun-
try and abroad that the contention is
not we'll founded
The same opinion on Mr.. Wilson'S
part extends to the sugar industry.
He believes all sugar factories can
operate under free sugar law. That
some of the sugar factories may shut
down he regrets as entirely possible,
but he believes such action. IL taken,
will he for effect. and with fun In
tention on the part of the owners to
open for business later on. He would
view such shutting down of sugar
factories With fortitude.