The Washington herald., 1915-11-11
wilson FACES
DIVIDED PARTY
Foreign Policy and Tariff May
Cause Possible Dissension
Among Democrats.
MANUFACTURERS WORRY
limitations that Raw Materials May
Be Taxed on Entering U. S.
Causes Grave Concern.
MANUFACTURERS WORRY
By ARTHUR J. DODGE,

Are the De nocratic leaders in the DIFF
from the national administration on the
political issues Of the time, such, for ex-
ample, as the tariff and .hr Wilson's
foreign policies? Government officials
who were brought in close contact with
the Democratic campaigns in the differ
ent States during the recent elections say
that the managers OF these campaigns
did not desire to have Mr.. Wilson'S for
eign policies discussed or any references
TO the tarifr.
One explanation Of this Is given that
there was considerable hostility among
men Of foreign birth or descent to the
course pursued by the administration In
dealing with our relations to the foreign
war. As to the tariff. so much uncer-
tainty existed that Democrats In the diff
ferent States preferred in the main TO
depend upon local issues and generalities
regarding Mr.. Wilson's popularity rather
than the details Of administration Issues
Onslaught Unanswerable.
The result Of this situation. as dis
closed in the different States, IL that Of
ficials In the executive departments and
Congress are coming 70 believe that their
party colleagues throughout the country
particularly those who are not directly
concerned with the management of the
recent elections are concluding that
there is no adequate defense TO the on
s!aught which the Republicans are max
ing upon the Democratic tariff and other
issues raised by Mr.. Wilson's admins
tration.
The Democratic national administration
confronts many serious situations grow
ing out Of the want OF revenues and the
failure of a number OF features OF the
Underwood tariff law.
OF course. some OF these features of
the law have failed because of the Euro
pean war. and the law was not SO ad-
Justed. as Republicans claim a pro-
tective tariff law should be. to meet fail
ures In revenues such as are caused by
the disturbance in Europe. Another
thing that Is troubling the Democratic
leaders. in preparing for the work of
the coming session of Congress. is, that
there Is much uncertainty as to the best
course to pursue in order TO meet. not
only the great demands for increases in
revenue incident to the failure OF reve-
nue. laws, but, also, so much Of Mr.. VIII
sons preparedness campaign as can be
carried through.
A statement In the nature OF a.
'feeler'' has been given out by Mr. Nc
Adoo suggesting the continuation OF tar
in duties on sugar and the re-enactment
OF the emergency revenue law. Com
ments by Democratic leaders in Con-
gross who are arriving here indicate |
that they are confident that these meas !
ures will not be adequate to meet the !
requirements OF the situation It Is pos |
sible that, viewed In the light OF what |
are said TO be mistakes in the Under |
wood law. the Democratic leaders may
be disposed to make further mistakes |
In their efforts 10 provide additional |.
revenues.
May Tux More on Iacomes.
Among the plans now being discussed |
are the additions 10 the income tax law, |
raising the rate and perhaps lowering |
the minimum as TO taxable incomes |
from 500 to 5000 or $500. Another |
plan proposed is the imposition OF Gus
toms duties upon certain raw materials
OF foreign production that are imported |
in large quantities. Wool Is not In
cluded IN this list because OF the recog-
nized difficulties surrounding the neces-
sity Of modifying the schedules as to
woolens. IL raw wool
should he restored TO the dutiable list,
with any material rates OF duty caIcu-
lated 10 add a considerable volume OF
revenues.
During the preparation OF the Under
wood law. the Democrats in Congress
the idea OF obtaining reve-
nues by imposing duties upon imported !
raw materials. the theory being that
large manufacturing plants in the
country should be willing to pay
their proportion of customs taxa
ton for the support OF the govern
nent Duties imposed upon materials,
without corresponding increases in
iuties upon finished products. pre-
vailed in many schedules OF the Under
wood law. and manufacturing indus
.ries in this country have been EN-
oarrassed. as IN the results In connec-
ton with the dyesturs industry. for
There arc. also. intimations among
Inc Democratic leaders Of a purpose to
Increase the revenue by imposing sub
duties upon imports OF raw
'ubber. cent pound duty being said
o be capable OF bringing in $1,000
100 revenue. Duties upon raw hemp
ire also under consideration.
Manufacturer Worried.
This reversal in policy as to free
aw materials" being sduarely con-
rary to the establishing system under
III former tariffs, Is we'll calculated to
rive grave concern to manufacturers
throughout the country who feel that
.lready they are greatly embarrassed
" unfortunate conditions surrounding
ur international trade.
At the same time. strong intima-
ions are coming from Canada OF a dis
'osition on the part of the Dominion
government, by order-in-council to re-
move the duties upon wheat and flour
nth a view to opening up opportunities
or extending sales OF Canadian bread
tuffs in the markets OF the United
tates. This would be a test of one
eature of the Underwood tariff law.
which conditionally placed wheat and
lour on the free list. subject to just
UGH action as the Canadian govern
nent Is now contemplating. This re-
ult, OF course. would produce more or
ess dissatisfaction in the border
tates. and add to the troubles which
ow beset tho Democratic party in its
forts to find q solution OF the reve-
ue problems by legislation in the