The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-03
A TARIFF COMMISSION.


rSumentS
New York Commercial
The time is ripe for taking the tariff out
of politics. Not that the two principles OF
protection and free trade and the modifica-
tons of both can ever be wholly eliminated
as policies in our governmental affairs here
in the United States. AS such, discussion
of them is never likely to disappear. But it
is possible to put the making and the I'M
making Of tariff schedules on a plane some
what above the level of campaign politics
to elevate it to a science, and thus to dis
courage stump orators from making mere
football of something that only few of
them understand. The time has arrived for
the creation of a permanent tariff commits
sion that shall handle the subject along
scientific lines and point out to Congress
from time to time how it may properly re-
wise this or that schedule to meet chang
ing industrial, commercial and revenue con-
ditions. The New York Commercial is firm
ly of the belief that no more important
question confronts the Fifty-seventh Con-
gress as the time approaches for its closing
session.
Why a permanent tariff commission?
Primarily because frequent general re-
visions of the tariff unsettle the business
of the country from one end to the other.
There is no greater foe to commercial pros
perity than uncertainty Nothing so para
lyzes trade as the menace of legislation
that may change values Nothing so dis
turbs industry and keeps capital back from
investment as constant agitation OF the
Spooner five years ago, "are tired-and
think have right to be tired-of frequent
general revisions of the tariff" That was
when the Dinsiey bill was under debate;
and the era of prosperity that has followed
the temporary settlement of the question
that year is the greatest and grandest in
the Nations history. The people are tired
gradual, intelligent revision without agita-
ton, so that the business of the whole
country may be saved from uncertainty.
before in the worlds history was the ten
dency so strong toward concentration of
effort along a single line. That makes it
fore We have had few tariff experts-only
here and there Mckinley. Randall or a
Dingley. Most of our lawmakers frankly
confess that they do not understand the
subject, or at best only in spots. So let
Congress place 1t once and for all on a
plane where 1t will receive calm, deliberate,
dispassionate and intelligent treatment at
the hands of men of educated fitness in
stead of permitting it's continued utilization
as a convenient vehicle by partisans. Create
a permanent national nonpartisan commits
sion to be composed of men of such talent
and high integrity this country can COM
mand and in whom the people will repose
confidence. Let us create a permanent
body of tariff experts as helpmeet for
Congress.
Thus Congress would not be burdened
with consideration of all the intricacies of
the tariff which a layman should not be
expected to fathom. The commission
would simply lay before the lawmakers
it's propositions from time to time-the re-
suit of it's best efforts. Think of the vast
be saved i'm Congress-. Contemplate for a
moment the weary weeks and months of
tariff debate in the past, with all other
legislation held up by it. And estimate
the gain from the lawmakers thus having
opportunity to take up other and equally
important questions,
This is not new proposition. For nearly
forty years the brightest minds in Con-
gresS have advocated the scientific treat
| ment and expert consideration of the tariff.
The Commercial prints in its news columns
| this morning a condensed history of efforts
| at this sort of legislation. 1t began with
| Senator Harris. of New York. in 1864, and
| men of the caliber and influence of Sher-
man, Garland, Eaton, Morrill,, Plumb,
| sentative Allen, of Maine-the latest in
| PRODUCER of a bill-have all been identified
| with the movement 1t has not been ad-
vocated on partisan lines. 1t has claimed
| support from both extremes among partf-
| sans And there Is only the smallest pos
| sibility that a bill of the sort at the COM
| ing session would precipitate division on
party lines. Obstacles that have hereto
| fore prevented the final passage of tariff
| commission bills do not now exist. The
| time is ripe. We have reached what most
men believe to be climax of commercial
| prosperity. This legislation should cap
| it. No national election looms up to dis
| turb US.
This is primarily a business question. II
| is the business men who must face the
| problems of adapting their business &c
| tariff changes. The President has publicly
| expressed his views in favor of a perma-
nent tariff commission, and 1t is the para
| mount duty of our business men to advise
| the President and other members of Con
gress regarding their wishes. so that prop.
er legislation may be enacted at the earlies,
| possible moment and thereby stop all use.
/ less tariff agitation
| Let the Fifty-seventh Congress bestov
| on the United States the boon of a perma.
nent tariff commission before ii shall pas.
| into history on March T.