The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-07-06
CONCERNING A TARIFF COM.
MISSION.

OF a tariff commission. It says thai
there has been some experience in the
framing of a tariff by such commits
sion and it has not tended to strengthen
the position of those who favor it The
difficulty at bottom. it says, is that nc
commission can possibly represent the
wishes and interests Of The whole body
! of the people exactly as they are rep
resented by the senators and represent
atives elected under constitutional pro-
visions for the express purpose of MAX
ing laws, revenue and other.
The trial of tariff commission here
referred to is that Of 1882, which made
a thorough investigation of the subject
and reported a bill. The commission
was composed entirely of protectionists
except the secretary. The report it
made has always been regarded as a
masterpiece in its way, for it discussed
the tariff question in a calm and dis
passionate manner both from the
standpoint of furnishing revenue for
the government and affording protec-
ton to the industries of the country
1t was this same commission that said
was bad for the overstimulation it gave
the industries having it, as the profits
Of those industries induced large num-
bers who had no qualifications what
ever for conducting them to embark
their capital in them with the inevi-
table result of failure for the great ma
jcrity who ventured into the excess
sivelv protected Industries
Speaking of the bill reported by the
tariff commission of 1882, the Tribune
says:
The commission reported a complete
bill with explanations and arguments
December ,, 1892. 1t was treated with
scant courtesy in the house The SEN
ate built up different bill, though tax
ing the commissions rates as a gen.
eral basis. The house rejected the SEN
ate amendments in bulk, and the act
finally passed was made up in confer
ence committee, with all the haste and
unavoidable errors incident TO such
work. The best known members of the
commission were so disregarded by the
action of congress, even as 10 the sched-
ules with which they were most thor
oughlv acquainted, that some of the
most mischievOus results followed the
action of congress on those very sched-
ules. On most of the items in the iron
and steel and wooden schedules, especi-
ally, the commissions rates were al
tered, sometimes for higher and some
times for lower duties. 1t was not long
before members of the commission were
pointing out that results would have
been much better if congress, while ac-
ceDting some provisions recommended.
had not disregarded many of the most
important. thus producing a measure
which was curiously Unbalanced and
ill-Judged. From May 15 1882 until the |
bill finally passed-March 3. 1SS3-the |
country was disturbed by constant un- !
certainty. and after nearly seven !
months spent in preparation by the |
commission, congress took the whole |
OF three months 70 pass an imperfect |
measure, whereas less than four months |
nave been taken to prepare and pass
the bill this year. What reason |
IS there for supposing that the work of |
any future tariff commission would tie
treated with mere respect? Is If not !
certain, on the contrary. that it would |
nave to confront the same conflict of |
in each house. so that each |
would finally have TO decide On every |
tenn according to the prevailing temper
IF its members?
TAet which happened to the tariff
bill in 1882 is substantially
what happens to all tariff bills when
hey are reported from the committee
IN WAYS and means to the house and
rom the senate finance committee to
he senate. The very fact that the com
MISSIONS bill was torn to pieces shows
hat nothing whatever can be predi-
'ated upon that bill. Had it become law
md been allowed to prove itself. then
here would have been something tan
;ible upon which to base an argument
or or against having tariff bills framed
~ a commission.
The Tribune says that no commission
en represent the wishes and interests
# the people exactly as they are rep
esented by congress. That is true.
eeing that the making of a tariff has
ONE to be a game Of grab in a very
-reat degree. 1t is for the very pur-
'ose of stopping this game of grab that
permanent tariff commission is again
uSgested. The objection that the whole
ountry was disturbed by constant I'M
ertainty while the tariff bill of the ,
commissioners was being considered j
an be made to every tariff bill. Was
ot the whole country in a state of un-
ertaintv while the Mckinley bill was {
nder consideration? Did it not suffer ,
rom the same uncertainty when the
wilson bill was being considered? Has ,
not suffered from uncertainty ever
nce it was first known that the presi- !
ent would convene congress in extra +
ession for the purpose of framing a :
ew tariff? And it viii suffer from the
anne uncertainty when there is ,
hange of administration again.
One Of the chief arguments in favor !,
permanent tariff commission is .
lat so long as the tariff remains in ;
olitics it viii be leading issue, and a
sturbing element to business. Con- !,
ress would abdicate nothing of its !.
overs or prerogatives in the premises ;
y creating one. The very fact that the ;.
eople, irrespective of party, are tired ;.
tariff tinkering is powerful argu- :
ent in favor of a permanent tariff :.