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The Democrats, committed to a low tariff since 1887, had to avoid the disaster that befell their 1894 tariff. The new code passed the House, 281 to 139, in May, 1913. Wilson used his patronage powers to guide it to Senate passage 44 to 37, in September, 1913. Politically it was considered a major triumph for President Woodrow Wilson

It established the lowest rates since the Walker Tariff of
1857. The average rate was reduced from to 29% from 40%, and most schedules were put on an ad valorem basis (that is, X% of the dollar value of the item.) The duty on woolens went to 18.5% from 56%. Steel rails, raw wool, iron ore, and agricultural implements had zero rates. The reciprocity program the Republicans had been pushing was eliminated. Congress rejected proposals for a tariff board to scientifically fix rates, but did set up a study commission.


REFERENCES

  • Arthur H. Cole. "The Domestic and Foreign Wool Manufactures and the Tariff Problem" ''Quarterly Journal of Economics'', Vol. 36, No. 1 (Nov., 1921) , pp. 102-135--- Arthur Link. ''Woodrow Wilson: vol 2, The New Freedom''

  • MJ Crucini. "Sources of Variation in Real Tariff Rates: The United States, 1900-1940" ''The American Economic Review'', 1994 - in JSTOR



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