Arizona republican., 1913-06-13
DISCRIMINATION
 IN FREE LIST
Says Now That Many Pro ducts Are to Be Affected There is Nothing to Do But to Conform to Inn pending Changes
Especial to The Republican.)

DENVER, Colo, June 12--That the Underwood tariff bill discriminates against the agricultural interests of the nation is the statement of T. W. Tomhnson, secretary of the national livestock association. who has just re- turned to his home here from Wash ington where he has been for the past five weeks in connection with the tariff on livestock meats and wool. In com menting on the tariff situation and the charge of lobbying. Mr. Tomlinson makes this statement.
 "Our association is non-political. but as We look after national questions for the livestock industry we have been well represented in Washington by committee of stockmen from all sec tions of the west So far we have not been charged with fnsidious lobbying. though I suppose we are guilty as any other industry that has been work ing in Washington
 We feel that We have a right to pre- sent our views to congress and we have done so through the medium of our of ficers and executive committee. Our arguments were presented to the ways and means committee of the house of representatives and that body passed the Underwood bill which carried free meats. free wool and a 10 per cent duty on livestock. Such a basis was so thoroughly illogical, namely duty on the raw material. livestock and meats free. that when we later on appeared before the subcommittee of the finance committee of the senate considering schedule G-hvestock and agricultural products-we insisted on a duty on meats as well as on livestock, and ac cording to my information the subcom
 nittee was favorable to granting same duty on livestock and meats. that is. 10 per cent.
 However President Wilson de- manded that both be put on the free list. and as the tariff bill is being framed largely according to his wishes. the subcommittee vii so report and un- doubtedly when the tariff bill passes. both livestock and meats will be on the | rec list: likewise wool sugar, grain and grain products. and practically all | agricultural products.
 While many democratic congress- men and senators from the west are opposed to this wholesale free listing of these important western products and realize the vast injury it will do to ! the west, nevertheless they. are either 1 tied up by caucus promises or so in- fluenced bv administra tive threats that they dare not oppose the wishes of the president and the mapority of their party That. I believe, is the unfortun- ate condition in which Colorado con | gressmen and senators are placed. 1 They don't want to be charged with wrecking the tariff policy ef their party and therefore have to swallow
 this bitter dose.
 "Stockmen and farmers. like every other class, are of different political
 faith and as d rule they all favor 8
 fair and equitable revision of the tariff
 but don't believe those who voted the democratic ticket expected their party
 to put all the products of the farmer and stoc1man on the free list There 1 was no such declaration in the platform
 of that party or in the campaign prom 1 ises and quite naturally we are indig nant about it, particularly because other industries are granted substantial duties either for revenue or for pro-
 tection. We feel like we have been 1 doublecrossed by our democratic
 friends
 Ut is idle to claim that our industry will not be hurt. The price of wool has
 already declined to a basis which prac- tically discounts the removal of the
 tariff Livestock values are declining.
 The top price for choice beef cattle on
 the hoof in Chicago is more than g per
 hundred pounds less than the prices
 prevailing last fall, and l hazard the . l opinion that no Denver consumer has ! bought his meat cheaper than last fall Even though prices of livestock
 should score farther decline by req ] son of the removal of the duty, it is l doubtful. even improbable that any . consumer will profit one penny. The , net result will be that the product will receive less for his livestock without any compensating benefit to the con suming public.
 , Colorado, like other western states, has no manufacturing of any conse- e quence, and if the proposed tariff bill passes, Colorado will lose all and gain l nothing.
 2 Any tariff bilf to stand the test of ] time must treat all industries equitably $ and without discrimination. This coun-
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