New-York tribune., 1905-03-03
FIRST TARIFF GUN FIRED.
II STEP TO .READJUSTlIENT
Finance Committee to Make InUesti-
cation an Recess of Congress.
IFRoM THE TR1RtTNE BrRrAr, !

Washington. March 2-The first gun in tho
campaign for modification of The tariff schedules
was according to leading members of that body
fired in the Senate to-day in the form of a
resolution authorizing and directing the Com
mittee on Finance, by subcommittee or other
wise, to make an investigation of customs in
ternal revenue, etc. and to make report
thereof to the Senate; also ito send for persons
and papers, administer oaths, and to employ
clerical and other assistance as may be neces-
sary."
Ihls resolution was introduced by Senator AL
hson' acting chairman of the Committee on FL
nance and was referred to the Committee on
Contingent Expenses but was favorablv re-
ported and adopted before adjournment. Dis
cussing the purpose Of the resolution. Senator
Allison said
The resolution. which is the usual form
ADOPTED at the close of each Congress- NAV this
year be regarded as the first move toward an
investigation of the tariff schedules Under it's
provisions the Committee on Finance win have
1uil authority to make complete investigation
as 10 the necessity of certain notifications TO
give hearings and take testimony 1t is in line
with the views of the President on the tariff
question.
Other members of the Finance Committee said
that the Sesolrtion was assuredly ''the nvst gun
II the ceytnF iustnr.sat OF che tsri5r schea-
uies." and was in accordance with the promise
made to the President that the Senate leaders
would be ready to cooperate with him in MAX
ing all necessary changes in the Dingiey law
at the special session of Congress to convene
next October
1t will be remembered that on January I the
President called to the White House the prom
inent members of the Finance and VVays and
Means committees and laid his Views on the
subject of tariff modification before them SEN
ators Aldrch and others urged upon the Presi
dent the mpossibilty of opening tariff debat,
at the short session of Congress, but assured
hlm Of their cooperation if he would consent
TO postpone the matter until fall. Speaker Can
non and other members Of the House expressed
themselves as opposed to any change of the ex-
listing schedules, although they preferred a
spring session if any were necessary for that
purpose.
Ultimately, however, the President determined
to defer his call OF Congress in special session
until fall. when he will send in a message urg-
ing railway rate legislation and tariff readiust-
ment. The extent to which the Finance Commit
tee will go into the subject in the summer has
yet to be determined. but the resolution intro
duced to-day will afford all the authority needed
for the most exhaustive investigation
No step has been taken in the House toward
Investigating the tariff schedules in the summer
months, although, of course, some action NAV
yet be taken before adjournment. In view of the
constitutional provision comforting on the lower
chamber the privilege of initiating revenue legIs-
lation which includes all tariff bills the Senate
Will be poWerleSS in the absence of some move
on the part of the House. but il is evident that
President whatever may be the course of the
other body