The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-18
WISH A TARIFF COMMISSION.
Protected Interests Find Method tc
Delay Legislation.

washington Special to Chicago Chronicle
News has reached Washington through
arriving members of Congress that petit
tons are in circulation among the bust
ness men OF the country which urge the
creation of permanent tariff commits
sicn. The idea doubtless was suggested
by President Roosevelt's speech at Lo-
gansport, Ind. where he was forced to
abandon his Northwestern stamping tour
to submit to an operation on his leg. In
that speech the President came out
squareiy for the creation of a tariff
commission clothed with authority to in
schedules and make such recommended
tons to Congress as the necessities of
business might warrant. 1t had been pre-
sumed ever since that the President will
incorporate the commission idea in his
annual message to Congress, accompany
Ing 1t with a recommendation that Con
gress pass the necessary legislation
The ultra high tariff bodies of the coun-
try appear to have reached the conclusion
that tariff commission would be a good
thlng-for protection. 1t is known that
they are responsible for the preparation
and circulation of tine petition which BUSH
ness men throughout the country are be-
ing asked to sign. They have selected
agents in every large community in the
country to handle the petition. These
agents have hired men to present them to
operation has, according to conservative
calculation. been enormous. The pre-
sumption, therefore, that the protected
Industries are paying the bill is generally
accepted in Washington.
Nothing could be more satisfactory to
these industries than to have Congress
create a tariff commission. In any event
it means a delay of at least two wears
before tariff reform legislation could be
considered even IL Ii were certain that the
commission would recommend changes in
the Dingley act. In the light of past ex-
perience probably Congress would ignore
the recommendations of the commission
as 1t ignored the industrial commission
and every similar body that has been
created during the last twenty years 1t
is well-known maxim in Washington
that If Ctrgress wants an excuse for not
doing something it creates a commission
TO take up and consider the subject which
ii desires to ignore. 1t relies upon time
and events to create new issues and bring
forth new policies that will obscure The
matter IL desires to put aside.
If the fifty-seventh Congress creates n
tariff commission next winter It will do
30 because the ultraprotection leaders of
the Senate and House believe such a COM
mission would be a good thing from their
STANDPOINT. 1t would serve the purpose
not only of taking out of the Congress
sional arena discussion of tariff during
the short session. but would relieve the
President of the duty of calling the Fifty,a
eighth Congress in extraordinary session,
next summer. Protection leaders greatly
fear this contingency. They understand
the pressure under which the President
would be placed by the tariff reformers
of his own party. They understand
moreover that there will be a larger
number Of Republican reformers in the
cleo ted before and they will not care to
run the risk of a roll call until they have
an opportunity to get into the best posi-
Bile fighting condition.