The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-07
A TARIFF CoMMIs-
 SION PROPOSED
Judge Somerville Declares It q Wise and Useful Step Toward
 Tariff Reform.
New York Commercial

New York Commercial
 President Roosevelts suggestion that revision of the tariff he referred to a permanent Tariff Commission. composed of non-partisan experts, has enlisted the interest of business men generally, in- cluding manufacturers and Importers.
 It was pointed out that conditions now were much more favorable for the sue cess of a tariff commission than twenty years ago when temporary committee was formed. The opinion among promi- nent business men of New York seems to be that if the Presidents plan can be put in operation without becoming dis turbing factor In the commercial life of the country a means will have been dis covered of solving the "tariff question" It Is probable that the Presidents sug- mission will be discussed by several of the commercial bodies of New York
 Judge Henderson M. Somerville, Chair man of the Board of Classification of the United States General Appraisers, said:
 ''I have for many years advocated the establishment of such a commission as a wise and useful step toward the advance ment of tariff reform in which both of the political parties can participate with out sacrifice of principle.
 Such a commission should be com posed of not less than seven men, who should be selected, partly with reference to locality, so as to have represented ev- cry section of the country. but especially with reference to their high character, acknowledged ability and fairness of judgment. It should be non-partisan and not bipartisan, as far as practicable.
 Its members should have salaries suf- ficiently remunerative to command the best talent should be invested with au- thortty to summon and examine wit nesses. and to prepare tariff act for submission to the consideration of Con gress.
 Tt goes without saying that this action could not be final until approved by Con- gress and the President in such form as to constitutionally become a public law. The legislative function cannot be dele gated to such a commission or to any other tribunal.
 Everybody knows the difficulty en- countered in framing tariff acts-from the act of 1928 to that of 1S97-ths scramble of selfish interests followed by affording high protection ou everything asked for, so as to combine in one strong alliance every interest which would otherwise be- come hostile.
 Congressional committees can not well resist these importunities of their con- stituents especially in the original fram- ing of the taritt schedules. In fact, some act are prepared by the protected inter ests themselves, and are purposely made ambiguous and technical, so as to carry exorbitant duties
 chiefly by wall paper manufacturers and as a.lubricant, which was placed on the free list in the tariff act of 1SSS and Is now subject to duty of 1000 per cent: This was accomplished by a system of compound duties. the operation of which nc one observed unless the interested owners of two or three small mica mines who reaped the benefit, did so.
 "A competent and courageous tariff commission, 'unawed by influences and unbribed by gain could and would do much to lessen, if not to entirely remove evils of this fragrant character. They would improve the style and correct the orudities and antiquities. and in many instances the positive rspvgnanees of the have known the same article to occur in both the free and in the dutiable lists of some of these acts
 "As is known, the tariff act of 1888 was originally prepared by tarift com perior phraseology, harmony and con servatism are marked features of 1t.
 "The greatest obstacles to the success of such a commission are its possible ex- emption from political and industrial con troi, and the natural jealousy the Con- gress will have in abdicating its prov ince of making our revenue laws"