The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-06-02
BURROWS TALKS ON TARIFF
Says the Present Schedules Can
not BE Touched Without
Affecting Business.
lFrom Philadelphia Press. J

tFrom Philadelphia Press.)
Washington, May Mr.. Burrows,
of Michigan, the third on the official
list of members of the Senate finance
committee. which was authorized at
the recent session to investigate the
tariff and other revenue questions, was
a leading member of the ways and
means committee of the House when a
member of that body. AS he was elect
ed member of the House nine times,
and has already served more than ten
years in the Senate, and has just begun
another term, he is an expert on tariff
questions, as well as on other subjects.
As chairman of the Senate Committee
on privileges and elections, which has
before it the Smoot case from Utah,
Mr.. Burrows has been kept busy, and
he does not know what Chairman AL
arich, of the finance committee. con-
templates doing on the tariff question
on his return from Europe. Asked if
he expected the President to call an
extra session of Congress, Mr. Burrows
replied:
"Yes, think that he will do so, as he
told me that it was his intention to
call one to meet October 49,"
Meeting Elmer Dover, Secretary of
the Republican National Committee, a
little while ago." remarked the CORE
spondent, 81 asked him if he expected
tariff legislation at the next session of
Congress- and he replied: Certainly; it
cannot we'll be avoided Do you hold
that view, Senator?"
We'll, expenditures have exceeded
receipts for the fiscal year so far more
than 100000, the excess for April
reaching about SO, 600, 900 more this year
than last. If this condition continues
more revenue, of course, will be neces-
sary or expenses must be reduced.
With rapidly growing country 1 do
not see how expenses can well be lessen
ed wisely. The naval increase could be
stopped and public improvements cut
off, but do not think that will be DONE"
Would you increase the revenue by
tariff changes, or is that the sentiment |
of the people of Michigan
There has been no particular express
sion of opinion on the subject in Michi-
gan. We might raise additional reve-
nue. by internal taxes; for instance, on
tobacco and beer. In reducing the tax
on beer after the Spanish war more
than $25, 600, 900 was cut off, and $780,
000, 600 more was taken from tobacco.
Beer is no cheaper to the consumer be-
cause Of that reduced tax. The tariff, |
as some one has said, is like spiders |
web-touch a single thread and the
whole fabric trembles. We cannot |
touch the tariff without affecting bust |
ness. Every one waits to see what will |
be done. Merchants buy no more than |
Is absolutely necessary to meet their |
wants until the question is
settled.
WHAT REVISION MEANS.
"A revision of the, tariff to increase |
revenues must mean the imposition of |
duties on articles now admitted free of |
duty or lowering of the rates on duti-
able goods, which would food our mar
ket and throw many of our people out
of employment or lead to reduction in
wages. Some changes might perhaps
be made advantageously but would it
pay to disturb business for that pur-
poser And could, for instance, the iron
and steel schedule be changed by re-
aucing rates, without other schedules
having to meet like fate? That is
problem that must be condsidered."
Does the nations foreign trade show
a need of reducing rates?'
II do not think any republican advo-
Gates general revision of the tariff. The
imports for the first nine months of
this fiscal year, the latest returns that 1
have, show an increase of $24.O00,0 600 in
la o.xo, k1~o oo.,a.,.1,, ill., 49, IL 1