The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-08-13
AS TO TARIFF ON BEANS

AS the date approaches for the
nomination of the Republican candi-
date for congressman, the opponents
of Congressman j. w. Fordney per-
sistently rely upon the oft repeated
statement that he was not in favor of
the passage of the tariff bill which
the bean growers of this country ask
ed congress to pass. Anybody who is
willing to be fair knows this state
ment to be untrue as is shown by a
letter from Congressman Osborne.
author Of the bill presented in the
house of representatives, for passage,
in letter to Congressman Fordney.
Read what Congressman Osborne of
California, says:
HENRY z. OSBORNE,
10th District, California.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Washington, D. c.
March 6, 1920.
Hon. Joseph w. Fordney, Chairman,
Committee on Ways and Means,
house OF representatives.
My dear Mr.. Fordney-
Let me express my gratitude to
you for your persistent efforts, in
the face of what l know to be the
sentiment of the Committee against
present revision of some features of
the tariff without consideration of the
subject in toto, to bring up and have
considered my bill, H. R. 7737, to
increase the import duty on beans.
l have observed with qualification
and admiration your efforts in this
behalf, to attain the much needed pro-
lection of American beans, and real
ize the great difficulties which beset
this legislation, and the need of san
educational campaign to apprize the
people generally of the harm done
this important industry by want Of
protective regulation against the for
eign product produced by cheap labor
and permitted to compete practically
unrestricted with our better-condi-
toned and superior American labor.
I feel that the comprehensive hear
ings, in which you have so ably assist,
ed as presiding officer, have gone far
to bring out the merits of the case,
and sincerely hope that other men,
bers of the Committee will soon show
as friendly an attitude as yours, so
that measure may be enacted which
will afford proper protection to Amer
lean bean growers.
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) H. z. OSBORNE.
This bears out the statement made
by friends of Congressman Fordney
that he was a persistent advocate Of
the proposal to grant additional pro-
lection to this important article Of
food stuff. Mr.. Fordney and the
other republican supporter of the bill
were fully aware of the fact that
President Wilson would probably not
sign the bill if it was enacted into
law and presented to him for his sig
nature and that the bill would be op-
posed by almost the solid democratic
vote in the house and that it could not
command the full republican vote as
the representatives from the larger
cities were not in favor of the meas
ure without action could be had to re-
wise the entire tariff law and thus
give opportunity to favor the wage
earners who form an important part
of constituency of the city members.
After making repeated efforts in be-
half of the bill Congressman Fordney
convinced majority of the ways and
means committee of the justice of the
same and reported it out with rec
ommendation that it be passed. This
was late in the session of congress and
the measure was not acted upon be-
fore the adjournment and the bill was
still on the calendar when the session
Of the house came to an end. This
however was through no fault of
Congressman Fordney who was al
ways favorable to its passage and
used every opportunity to boost for
it. If any one is entitled to hearty
supper tfrom the farmers of the 9Th
district it is Congressman Fordney
and we believe this fact is recognized
by the voters thereof. Be certain you
go to the polls primary day and let
all recognize their persistent and con-
sistent representative by casting their
vote for him.