New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-15
PLAN TO CUT TARIFF LIST.
Bdbcock Says 1t Would Knock Ont
Sole Democratic Issue.
TFRoM THE Tribune BUREAU


calls on Representative Babcock. of Wisconsin,
for his views the subject Of tariff revision,
rs he Will on all prominent Republicans In both
houses of Congress. he will receive an emphatic
assurance of the necessity of change In the
tariff schedules and a reiteration of the reason
which in Mr.. Babcock's estimation, make such
changes imperative.
Mr.. Babcock two years ago ardent adj
vocate of reducing the duty on steely and he
found ready listener when he explained his
reasons TO the President. Mr.. Babcock has seen
10 reason 10 change his views since that time,
and now has additional arguments TO support
his contention that the tariff should be revised,
among them the probable necessity of increas-
ing the national revenues. Mr.. Babcock said
last night:
have heard n good deal of talk in the last
few days in favor of reducing the tariff on ar
ticIes where the duty is higher than is
ranted by the protection principle and for doing
il at an extra session Of Congress. 1t is about
the only subject l have heard discussed thus
Ear in connection with future legislation. ] be-
lieve it will be done The Northwestern States,
! know demand some such action.
The only way TO handle such legislation is
along the lines followed IN framing the Nc
Kinley bill. it goes without saying that the
task should not be attempted at the short ses-
sion: and il would require so much time as 10
interfere with the regular business OF the long
session OF the LIXth Congress- which conYenes
next December. The Ways and Means Com
nittee should give careful hearings before franz
ing the bill for the consideration of the House.
No other legislation should be taken up; no other
House committee should be appointed. In my
Judgment, should devote ourselves solely 10
that topic, and get il out of the way speedily.
That was the programme followed In 1891.
I Will not attempt 10 say now much the sched-
ules should be reduced. i doubt If there is any
man I'm the House OF Representatives VINO
could Personally, nave studiec ON! one
schedule-the steel schedule-at which spent
several months. The result Of my work was
embodied in the revision bill that l introduced
In the House. / am tra-Repubhcan and
protectionist. and I would not reduce the duty
on any PRODUCTS below the point that covers the
difference in the cost of materials and the price
OF labor. At present the schedules in numerous
instances are considerably higher than is neces-
saTy 10 cover that difference.
That is practically the only issue the Demo-
Gratis have in Congress. They point to the high
tariffs. and charge that these tariffs ma
nipuated in favor Of the protected interests.
Mr. Babcock declared that he had never urged
tariff revision as a method of controlling mo-
nopOlies trusts. de said:
In attempting that, we should run in danger
Of striking at the laborer, whom wish 10
protect rather than the corporation he works
for. But / do hold, that, when we have loo
per cent tariff where 100 per cent tariff
answers all the purposes of legitimate protec-
ton. the additional 80 per cent is likely to be
manipulated Tor the benefit OF mat prot9 S,,e1
interest, rather than for the consumers. with
the tariff reduced to the proper point, any gen
eral attempt 10 raise prices would be followed
by importations from abroad.
Moreover, a reduction of schedules would I'M
doubted!y increase the revenue. That holds
true Of nearly all tariff duties. The present
rates for example are in many cases prohib-
itive The governme1t derives revenue at
all therefrom At lower figure, which would
meet all the requirements of protection, there
would be some importation, and, accordingly.
money would flow into the Treasury. The pro-
posed revision. by lowering schedules should
IN my judgment, increase the revenues 10 per
cent, which would suffice for all the needs of
the government
Representative Babcock's declaration for an
extra session Of Congress for tariff revision has
iittls support from prominent Republicans now
in town Il may also be said that the President
has not taken up the subject with his customary
advisers. and 1t is safe to say viii not do until
he gets his annual message off his hands and
finds luil IN his busy routine permitting him to
discuss the question carefully with the leaders
OF the party.
''Mr. Babcocks suggestion is the first that (
have heard Of extra session talk" said Senator
Foraker, who paid the President a call this
afternoon. The President has not said any
thing TO about II. I am not prepared to talk
about the question just yet
Representative Grosvenor. another White
House visitor. said: 4 guess I don't make up
my mind quickly Mr.. Babcock does. In
fact, don't think viii make up my mind
that question in hurry. I'll read all the briefs
in the case as well hear all the oral arguments
can get before doing so; you may rely on
Senator Cullom and Representative BoutelI OF
Illinois, who came to the White House together
Tor the purpose Of shaking the Presidents hand
and TO congratulate him upon the result of the
election, were two other lawmakers who seemed
unwilling to indorse the 3abcock plan.
Haven't had time to think of it." said Sen
ator Cullom There's plenty of time to take
that up later The President has not mentioned
it yet"