The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-05-27
A TARIFF
COMMISSION.
Very Strong Sentiment in Faver Of
Creating One.
TEE SCHEME WILL BE SUP
PORTED BY DEMOCRATS AND
POPULISTs AS REMOVING THE
SOURCE OF DANGER FROM CON
SLANT TARIFF REvISIoNS-A
POSSIBILITY THAT 1T WILL BE-
COME A Law. But NOT UNTIL
NENT SESSION OF CONGRESS.

Washington, May 26.-.iSpecinl. 1.-The
danger to the tariff law, not only from
the Democrats but from Republicans who
regard the demands Of their own cousti-
tuents rather than the interests Of the
country at large, is now for the first time
fully appreciated by the party leaders and
there is better prospect for the passage
of Il bill than there has been since it left
the House
The Republican caucus of Yesterday.
while it decided nothing definite as to
schedules, took step by providing for
night meetings of Il Republican special
committee that will very greatly simplify
matters and the Senators are now hopeful
that the bill can be passed much sooner
than appeared possible week ago.
There will be stu bborp fights on several
schedules, notably hides, wool and sugar.
The probabilities are now that the two
former will not be changed, while the
sugar schedule, in spite of determined
and possibly protracted fight, will be
passed practically rs it left the House.
This schedule has had the most deter
mined work i'll it's favor, going so far as
to bring forth threats that unless it was
passed the bill would he defeated; but
the agreement reached by the Republican
Senators will probably do away with
danger that for n time seemed imminent.
Senator White, one of the leading Dem.
ocratic members of the finance commit
tee, said last night:
There is very little danger that the
tariff bill will fail pass, if any. The
Democrats will not obstruct the bill in
any way beyond such delay as is neces-
sary for reasonable debnte We want
the bill passed. If the Republicans are
right in the belief that it will bring about
prosperity. we want to share that pros
perity as soon as possible
When the bill is passed there will he n
very determined effort to create n tariff
commission. The agitation concerning
such course is by no means new, but
there has never been so strong n sentiment
in Congress- favoring it, This is bv no
means confined to either political party.
Members of all parties object to the con-
slant changes of political maiorities arts.
ing from tariff Legislation and the dis
turbance to business. Preceding and
succeeding every radical change in the
tariff there is r period of financial depres-
sion until business becomes adjusted to
the new conditions. There, are too, from
time to time, new lines of industry estab-
lished and changes in the conditions sur.
rounding particular items IF export and
import. a careful poll of the Senate dis.
closes the fact that IL majority of Sena-
tors are in favor of some kind of n tariff
commission. The plan is not so popular
in the House, and, without further dis
cussion than it has already received, it
would not pass the House. The friends of
the measure claim. however, that all it
needs is carefully drawn bill and proper
agitation and discussion to command II
good majority. 1t is certain that a much
more determined effort will lie made to
provide for sucn commission than has
ever been made and there is undoubtedly
q much stronger sentiment in it's favor.
The decision of the United States Sill
preme court that the Interstate commerce
commission has not the power to fix
freight rdtes has brought the various
measures for amending the interstate
commerce laws prominently to the front.
The leading ones are Senator Foraker's
Dill providing for railroad pooling and
Senator Harris substitute for that bill,
changing the commission into a court of
railroad commissioners, with power 20
fix freight and passenger rates, and pass
upon all questions of consultations, com.
binations, etc. The principal features of
this substitute bill which follows the
FORAKER bill as to pooling contracts is
the change to a court in order to provide
Judicial powers in the matters of enforce
ment of DEGREES and compelling the at
tendance and testimony of witnesses. 1t
VIII have strong Democratic and Populis-
tic support and may secure enough Re-
publican votes to carry it. Nothing,
however, can be accomplished in the mai
ter until next winter. Meanwhile there
VIII be other important decisions affect
ing the Interstate commerce commission
which may result in entirely new meas
ures being introduced.
Manu IF ha f,;t f,,l
ged at the showing made by the last re.
port of the civil service commission just
issued. 1t has been loudly proclaimed
that President Cleveland in order to per-
petuate Democrats in offica had made
sweeping orders that placed all positions
Under civil service that it was possible
under the law to place them. The report
shows that this is mistake. There are
1851 positions that are classifiable but
not classified. There are 5000, besides
the postmasters, which are enough when
added to the places not classitiable to
keep the President busy for some time to
come, rewarding those who helped fight
his battle last fall.
In this connection there is state of
affairs that is worrying good many Con-
gressmen. Men who paid no attention to
the campaign last year, contributing
OiSJ Aoh WHO, NOW SCii SITOIS
petitions asking for office for them.
They have been especially active in their
own interests since the campaign and in
many Instances are very strongly en-
dorsed by all of the local party leaders.
Several of the Congressmen have laid
down che law that they Will refuse to rec
ognize any such men, and will only aid
those who carried the brunt of the battle