The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-08

Congressman Fowler. OF New Jersey. re-
Gently introduced measure into congress
which has onits face some meritorious feat
ures He proposes to create a tariff COM
mission for the purpose of investigating
Federal taxation, recommending changes
therein and adjusting any irregularities in
the existing law. His plan includes
commission of seven members to be APP
pointed for twenty-one. eighteen. fifteen.
twelve, nine. six and three years respect
lively. who should be removed only for
cause by and with the consent OF the sem
ate. Their duty shall be to investigate all
questions of Federal taxation and annual
Is make a report to the president on or
before the LIST day Of November OK each
year, with such recommendations for
changes In import duties and internal rev.
enue taxes as they may deem WISE He
would give this commission. with the APP
prevail OF the president, power TO suspend
any part or the whole OF any tax. The
suspension may be made immediate II
that course have the recommendation OF
the commission and of the president in
ono year II five agree and In two years If
four agree.
Each commissioner is 10 receive $3.50
year and have private secretary at
81 90 year. and all his expenses are 10
be paid. The commission Is authorized to
visit any section OF the country with a
view to studying local conditions or OF
sending a committee OF Its number TO any
foreign country or countries for the pur-
pose of collecting information.
Mr.. Fowler supports his measure by
comments. in which he says the establish
meat OF such a commission cannot do any
harm. and that 1t may prove the greatest
possible blessing TO the American people
In securing stability to our varied busi-
ness interests and continued and equal
prosperity to all sections cf our common
country
The bill Is suggested by the irritating
delay in the passage Of the tariff hill and
the consequent disturbance - all bust
ness interests. II is a misfortune. TO
that extent; bat TIE delay IS very much
due 20 the demand Of different interests
20 be heard. ard IL IS not an unreason-
ahle demand The plsn proposed by Mr.
Fowler Is not. however, SO practicable "a
IL looks on paper. The author himself
manifests hts own doubt by The restric-
tons Re puts upon changes in the men,
bersh!p OF the commission: bat the
principal objection - that IL takes ieg!s-
body. The commission would not ns
more free from the pressure Of special
interests than congress - and there
would he a greater TEN ptatlon 70 listen
20 the pleading 81 munopoiies where the
only adverse interest vas that OF tie
people az large. who would net be s;ir,-
ulated nv direct interest 20 s,rllts for self
protection.
As a general principle the more :nts-
usta the relation e tse people % the
laws the better e IS S9eh commits
ssoa ss that contemplated would possess
enormous power. sEd the salary. large
tHeusn &, Is. wcuia not be sufficient 10
secure s0e people against ;hs exercise q,
influence by the WEALTHY rncnoyolses
The same advantage ot inforr,asio,
eca,d - secured by commercial reports
q cc1s1sis under systematic direction ~
shs treasury department.. Tna. branch
90 the service has e43n greatly improved
during sAe past .sw years. zr1 consular
reports form mos. valuable means % in
tovmsssea. Locsl necessities are wea
represented by members 80 congress
and cha changes IN Industrial conditions
ar~ brought L. the A.se2tlQa os the ra-