The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-07-29
Coming Session to be Of
Great Importance.
WILL TAKE UP THE TARIFF
Rate and Canal Questions-R Reciprocity
of the Kassan Type Unlikely
Maximum and Minimum Rates
the Simplest Remedy.

Washington, July 29.-Ihe coming
session of Congress will deal pre-emi-
nently with business questions. The
captains Of industry will be summoned
to give their testimony in the commit
tee-room hearings. Some Congresses de-
vote themselves to public works like the
session which provided the Panama Can
al aud set the irrigation project on its
feet. Others are known as war Con-
crosses But tariff and railroad rate
questions and the business aspects Of
the Panama enterprise viii be the sub
jects demanding attention this winter,
and they win come in a peculiarly press
ing form.
Germany's action in putting extreme
barriers against our trade has alarmed
the Middle West, as symptomatie Of the
l0ng.distanee effects upon other eoun-
tries Of our rigid tariff policy, and the
reciprocity conference which has been
called in Chicago for August Is will
be expressive of an awakening of West.
ern interests in our trade outlets. The
apparent decision of Canada to get along
without US in its trade relations, build
ing up its own industries, points In the
same direction. The threatened Chin
csc boycott Of American goods is oc-
casioning some disquietude. Our state
department, in two of these cases, is
trying to adjust the threatened dangers
by diplomacy, but it is probable that
the success of its action will depend
on the cooperation of Congress.
If it should appear, by the assembling
of Congress in November, that our tariff
policy must be somewhat modified, if
our necessary trade outlets are to be
retained it would bring the question
before Congress In q much more special
form than ever before. The American
consumer as such, makes poor fighter.
The American exporter, however, de-
priyed of a market, and with surplus
goods accommodating on his hands, would
prove wonderful factor. President
Roosevelt will identify himself with the
liberal side of the tariff controversy,
as presidents eustomarily do, represent
ing national interests in distinction from
that Of district But what will be
the line Of relief
Reciprocity treaties OF the kind nego-
tiated by DIR. Kasson may be dismissed
from consideration. The two-thirds vote
required in the Senate put them out Of
the range Of possibility. The wisdom Of
as many sets OF rates as we have coun.
tries to deal with may be seriously
doubted There remains reciprocity by
legislation requiring only a majority
vote in each House, or general re.
vision. Republican feeling has been very
strong, almost unanimous, against gen.
eral revision The simplest project would
be the adoption Of maximum tariff
system, such as most of the continental
nations employ, and those who want
to do something win doubtless make
| their attempt along this line. Then
success viii depend upon the pressure
! from the public, as it sees clouds gath.
ering over our foreign outlets.
The prospect Of success Of any legis,
lation affecting the tariff may obviously
be influenced By the railroad rate stu
alton 1t would be natural for ths
estand -patters' on both questions K
unite forces in favor of letting things
alone The fight viii come from the
| Senate. Its leaders are apparently de-
termined. whatever else may be done
in railroad legislation, that there shall
| be no transfer of rate-making power
from the hands Of the owners of railroad
properties to any public agency; and
Of course, the power to supervise, Of
adjust. rates implies this. The sena.
tors who held this view may now b
in numerical majority, and hence the
possibility Of their needing an alliance
with opponents Of the tariff changes
/ That they can control the Senate ad
mits little question; but the method Of
| doing this may well be tile success Of
some study, and the presidents announced
purpose to call an extra session ha:
been the signal for revival Of inter
est in the congressional programme. MIR
Aldrich, who was IN Europe last win
ter, will be here this winter in actua
| command of the forces, and battll
royal may be expected The first at
tempt Of the Senate leaders will be Il
| work out such a compromise as vii
/ hold President Roosevelt with them, anl
they would go far in accepting results
that would save for them his powerful