New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-16
THE ETJDTNCE on THE TARIFF.

The public hearings on the tariff question are
over. Some persons, who desire 10 make a
great show of knowledge on the subject in dl-
root proportion to their ignorance. have Tor
wears made light Of these hearings asserting
that they did no good. gave no information
that persons OF superior wisdom did not pre-
yiously possess and were principally occupied
with false statements of interested parties
made for their own advantage 1t is safe 10
saw on the contrary. that there Is not one or
the most competent experts In the country
who has not learned something from the evil
dcnce giver about the progress of industry, the
changes in foreign trade, the course OF prices.
and the changes during the last few years IN
wages here and abroad With much that he
already knew. there appears also Information
which he had failed TO reach. 1t is true the testi-
mony given is often contradictory and some
times false But ii is rot by one-sded state
nents that Judges and juries, legislators OF pri-
vate individuals generally arrive ut truth Even
the obvious untruth is often Of great value to
the committee because 1t suggests new points
which need inquiry. Without doubt the prac-
tice OF inviting testimony is of help to the com
mittee.
As it would be impossible for the committee
20 follow all the contradictory advice elected,
so no one has reason TO expect that it will de-
eide exactly in accord with any recommended
ton or request. The interested parties. who
have the best opportunity In the world TO know
one side thoroughly. are not usually in the best
position to know other sides of the same prob
lem. 1t Is the business Of the committee to
consider not only what will best promote the
wages Of labor. the profits of capital. or the
increased production in one branch, but also
how that will affect those who need the prod
uct as material, or those who use II as final
consumers, or those who have competing or
Indirectly conflicting interests. TO do reasona-
BILE justice to all, 10 help American industries
without doing harm to others, 10 adjust the
defence given SO that It shall not partake of
favOritism and shall as rarely as possible ell
gender oppressive monopoly. is q problem which
calls for the highest craftsmanship. 1t is not
10 the discredit Of legislators that they all make
some mistakes In such cndeavors. but between
the wisdom Of the Mckinley bill. with its oc-
casonal errors. and the chronic laundering of
the Wilson bill with its occasional fa shes Of
sense, there is wide difference.
1t appears from the testimony that the iron
and steel industry. in the main. requires less
defence than IL did in 1890. but In view Of the
frequency Of combinations formed under the
Wilson tariff. with It's reduced duties, and the
rupture OF several, with the prospect of larger
domestic trade. the continued encouragement
Of home competition within reasonable measure
seems to offer the surest remedy IN most de-
partments The woolen industry clearly needs
larger protection than ii has now or can have
under any ad valorem duties. and If any part
Of the duties is to be of that character the
question how far consignment of foreign goods
TO agents and clerks here can with benefit be
restricted will need to be considered. If the