Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-17
REFORMING THE TARIFF.
What Col. Morrison Says Upon the Sub
jeet--Conxressional Action Uncertain.

What Col. Morrison Says Upon the Sub
jeet-Conxressional Action Uncertain.
Mr.. William r. Morrison. chairman Of the
interstate commerce commission, has returned
to the city. after tour through many Of the
principal cities Of the south. extending ~ far
as New Orleans. Mr.. Morrison was ac-
companied BY two of his colleagues on the COM
mission, Mr.. Clements and Mr.. Knapp, and it was
not pleasure which took the trio through the
sunny south. The trip was one of investiga-
ton into affairs coming under the jurisdictios
OF the commission, arj large amount Of hard
and fruitful work was accomplished.
Col Morrison has for number OF wears been
connected with the interstate commission. but
an indefinite length of service in other lines
would fail to disconnect his name from the sub
jecs OF the tariff. During Mr.. Morrison's
service In Congress, which extended over sew
eral terms, he was the acknowledged leader Of
the tariff reformsrs. The Morrison horizontal
tariff bill will be remembered as long
as the question Of tariff is before the
people. Just at present. when the policy Of the
new Congress on this question is under discus
sion, the views of man who has formed and
led tariff thought since 1874 are of value espe-
cially so when the question OF revenue promises
to form a tremendous element in the tariff
work of the dominant party.
CONGRESSIONAL ACTION UNCERTAIN
ut is exceedingly uncertain" said Col Nor
rison to STAR reporter today, ''just what
line Congress will take in the work OF reform
ing the tariff. horizontal cut Of the Nc
Kirley bill would be unwise and it is i'm
probable that such action will be taken.
The republicans by removing the duty sugar.
raising the duty on some ~ ticies and lowering
it on others. have altered the conditions ma
terialy from those existing when in PRODUCED
nnJFn nnti IN
Of duties. Inc question Of revenue now
stares the dominant party in the face. With
expenses increasing rather than diminishing u
uniform reduction would shrink the revenues
to figure inadequate for the expenses Of
government.
Therefore, il We lower the duties on some
articles, then We must take Other Gr .icles from
the free list and inv taxes on them. III order to
secure revenue FOR the machinery Of the gov
ernment An income tax / hold rs improbable
and still believe as have been recently quoted:
hat the tariff scheme. o. budget or VIVA =
ever it may be decided on by the demo-
cratic party, if it provides sufficient rev.
enues to meet tho demands OF the government,
Will result in the restoration OF some tag on
sugar, ard, il it is not done, that the scheme or
plan OF reduction or system OF taxation which
is adopted will fail short of meeting the require
ments of government and result in increasing
the national debt. which was one OF the pur-
poses of the Mckinley bill
II am inclined to be doubtful whether on
fair issue of this question the sugar bounty
will be removed and tax laid instead. The
capital Of the country finds its best interests
served by continuance o. even an increase Of
the national debt"
MORE REVENUE MUST BE RAISED.
In regard to the question Of revenue in case
Of tariff reduction the views OF Leading demo-
Gratis not entirely in accord, and the best
policy to pursue under the circum-
stances is matter Of earnest discus
zion between members OF the Senate
finance committee and the Treasury Depart
ment. 1t is generally allowed from a demo-
cratic standpoint that, even with the expected
increase OF importation arising from u lower
tariff and the careful pruning OF expenses.
1t will be necessary to find further
revenue in order to meet the working expenses
Of the government. Many southern Senators
are inclined to turn toward an income tax as
the best method OF solving the problem. Sem
ators Voorhees,. Vest, Vance, Jones and Harris.
all members Of the finance committee. would
approve of al income tax under certain condi-
tons