Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-12-09
CONGRESSMAN sPALDING's BILL

CONGRESSMAN sPALDING's BILL.
Congressman Spalding proposes to
entrust an investigation of the ques-
ton of tariff revision to a commission
to be appointed by the president, and
the commission to report it's recon-
mendations to congress after care
full study of the subject. Inasmuch as
there is general interest in the matter
of tariff revision, the Tribune here
with presents Mr.. Spalding's bill in
full:
Whereas the country has been
pledged reimbursement of the tariff
schedules when needed; and
Whereas the present rates of duties
upon imports have been in force seven
years and during such time conditions
have materially changed, rendering
duties on some articles unnecessary
and on others harmful, while on some
commodities not now protected protec-
tive duties may be beneficial; and
Whereas no ordinary session of con-
gress can fully investigate the subject
and determine what changes will best
promote the general welfare: there
fore
Be it enacted by the senate and
house of representatives Of the United
States Of America in congress assem-
bled, that commission is hereby
created, to be known as the tariff
commission" consisting of nine men,
bers.
Section 2. That the president Of
the United States shall, ON or before
the sixth day of March, ammo Domini
nineteen hundred and five, appoint
from civil life nine commissioners,
one Of whom shall be designated, when
appointed, as president of such COM
mission.
No person shall be eligible to such
appointment who is now, or when so
appointed shall be, engaged or inter-
ested in the manufacture of any pro-
tected article, or who shall after the
fourth of March next be senator
or member elect of the Fifty-ninth
congress-, and not two members
shall be appointed from the same state,
territory or district.
Sec. 8. That such commissioners
shall meet for organization in the city
Of Washington, in District of Column
bia, On such date as shall be desiH-
mated at the time the president there
OF Is appointed, and, upon organizing,
may appoint vioe-president, to serve
in the absence of the president, a
secretary, and not more than two as
sistant secretaries, necessary steno-
graphers, and a messenger.
Sec. 4. That it shall be the duty of
such commission to take testimony
regarding matters involved and to
thoroughly Investigate and consider
all questions relating to the agricul-
tural, commercial, mercantile, manu-
featuring, mining, and other Industrial
interests OF the United States, so far
as the same may be necessary to the
establishment of judicious and equit-
able schedule of duties on imports or
to readjustment of existing
schedules and rates upon such basis as
will do justice to all interests and
raise necessary revenues and afford
such degree of protection as may be
necessary and just, taking into con-
sideration the existence or possibility
OF monopoly in any industry and the
probable effect, if any, of protective
duties upon the creation or mainten-
ance of such monopoly, and whether
the reduction of present rates of duty
upon the product of any monopoly will
afford relief to the public therefrom.
Sec. 5. That for the purpose of
prosecuting it's duties said commission
Is authorized to visit different portions
OF the country that may be deemed by
it necessary and advisable, and is au-
thorized and empowered to issue and
cause to be served by its messenger,
or any person it may designate to
make service, subpoenas upon any and
all persons whose attendance it may
find necessary to compel, and may
require them to produce such books,
papers, and documents as such COM
mission may deem requisite and neces-
sary to examine or use in evidence:
and for any refusal to attend or testify
before such commission when sub
poenaed any person so subpoenaed
shall be punishable as for contempt.
Witnesses 50 subpoenaed shall be en-
titled To- the same per diem and mile
age egg though In attendance upon a
district court Of the United States
where their testimony is given. s&@