Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-12-02

being OF the people as a wilo.e. The ma
chinerY for providing such careful inves-
tigotion can readily be supplied The eX-
ccutive department has already at it's
disposal methods of collecting facts and
figures. and if the congress desires addi-
tional consideration 10 that which will be
given the subject by it's own committees.
then a commission of business experts CO n
he appointed whose duty 1t should be to
recommend action by the congress after
a deliberate and scientific examination of
the various schedules as they are affected
by the changed and changing conditions
The unhurried and unbiased report of this
commission would show That changes
should be made in the various schedules
and how far these changes could go with
out also changing the great prosperity
which this country is now enjoying or
upsetting it's fixed economic policy.
The cases in which the tariff can pro-
duce n monopoly are so few as to consti-
tute an inconsiderable factor in the ques-
ton; but. OF course, IL in any case ii be
found that given rate of duty does pro-
mote n monopoly which works i'll. no pro
tectionist would object to such reduction
o. the dCt-~ IS Woul2 e-u2li=e co2cGctiti0u-
Take on the Tarifr Stop Monopoly.
an my Judgment t.Ie CstTi44 Oh aIl,..rlci5e
coal should be removed and anthracite
on the free list. This would have no effect
at all save in crises; but in crises il might
be OF service to the people.
Interest rates are potent factor in
business activity. and in order that these
rates may be equalized to meet the vary
ing needs of the seasons and of widely
separated communities. and 10 prevent the
recurrence of financial stringeIrcies- which
injuriously affect legitimate business. il
is necessary that there should be ele-
ment of elasticity in our monetary Sys-
TEN. Banks are the natural servants of
commerce. and upon them should be
placed. as far as practicable. the burden
OF furnishing and maintaining circUla-
ton adequate to supply the needs OF our
diversified industries and of our domestic
and foreign commerce. and the issue of
this should DE so regulated that SufIi
cient supply should be always available
for the business interests OF the country.
1t would be both unwise and unneces-
sary at this time to attempt to recon-
struct our financial system. which has
been the growth OF century, but some
additional legislation is. think. desirable
The mere outline of any plan sufficiently
comprehensive TO meet these requirements
would tr3nSgrcSS the appropriate limits
of this communication. 1t Is suggested.
however, that all future legislation on the
subject should be with the view of
couraEinE the use of such instrumental
ties as will automatically supply every
legitimate demand of productive indus
tries and of commerce. not only in the
amount. but in the character of circua-
ton. and of making all kinds of money
interchangeable and. at the will of the
holder. convertible into the established
gold standard.
1 again call your attention to the need
of passing proper immigration law. COW
ering the points outlined in my message
to you at the first session of the present
congress. Substantially such a bill has
already passed the house.