The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-24
RELIEF TO NATION
WILL Be EFOUND|N
NEW TARIFF BILL
Underwood Predicts Re-
duction in Cost
Of Living.
SCORES SYSTEM
OF PROTECTION
Debate on Measure Begun in
House, Republicans Voicing
Their Skepticism and Pro-
gressives Opposing All
Tariff Measures Framed
by Present Methods.

Washington, April 2s-Beginning
the debate. In the tIouse to-day on the
! Democratic tariff revision bill Repre-
sentative Oscar ". Underwood, OF Ala
bsma. the majority leader. predicted
great relief for the nation through the
passage OF the pending bill; Represen
tative Augustus r. Gardner of Massa-
chuset's. voiced Republican skeptf-
cism for the oountry's future under
such tariff system az that proposed,
and Representative Kelly. OF Pennsyl-
vania. expressed the opposition of the
new Progressive party to all tariff
bills framed under the present system
Mr.. Under wood. In outlining the bill.
/ severely criticised the protective taEiT
theory based ON the cost of produc
tion differences at home and abroad.
and praised the competitive tariff
theory, declaring II would strengthen
American industry and send American
products into the worlds markets. He
denounced the raising OF taxes by the
protective tariff as unjust. because he
said ii taxed equally the working men
and the multimillionaire. He pointed
out that the rates In the pending bill
were substantial reductions from the
rates in the existing law and declared
that the lower rates would result in
a reduction in the cost OF living to the
consuming public. Mr.. Underwood did
not discuss the income tax feature OF
the hill. leaving that To Representa-
tive Hull, of Tennessee, who will speak
later.
Admits Reputation.
Representative Gardner admitted
that tire people OF the nation had re-
pudiated the Payne tariff and that
tho Republican party bad been dis
lodged from power because it had been
too slow TO recognize growing evils
and permitted far too powerful
oligarchy' to run the government its
I way instead of the peoples way. He
cautioned the Democrats 10 live up to
their promises TO the people, declaring
lie believed that if they did not the
people would turn 10 the new Progress
sive party.
Suppose that the Democrats fail to
carry out their radical program" said
Mr. Gardner. will the country turn
to our party? ] doubt ii. The people
wish to try some OF these new ideas
and are willing to risk the consequences
OF their proving disastrous. The Re
publicans have not given them what
they wish. If the Democrats follow
our example ii need surprise no one
should The people turn to the Progress
sive party In fact this is the only
direction In which / can see a future
for that party"
In presenting the views Of the Pro-
Gressive party. Representative Kelly
criticised bitterly the present method
Underwood bill, like every other tariff
bill In the history OF the country, was
framed on a basis of insufficient in
formation, and political and nonparti-
san loE-rolling" The solution of the
tariff problem, he declared. could ONLY
be found in the adoption of the Pro
Gressive policy of placing the tarif in
the hands OF capable. nonpartisan
commission.
Opening Is Delayed
When the House convened Mr 1-ndor
wood asked unanimous consent that
the general debate close when the
House ADJOURNED Monday evening. II
was agreed TO give the Progressiycs
hNe hours of the minority time. Other
parnamentary miX-ups delayed things.
lCOnfinund On ..ocona ~