New-York tribune., 1906-11-15
TARIFF REVISION TALK.
ACTION IN NEAR FUTURE.
Indications Of Special Session A fter
Presidential Election.
IFron The Tribune Bureau. ]

TFrom The Tribune Bureaul
Washington. Nov 14-"The sentiment in favor
OF revision Of the tariff is growing in the Re-
publican party, and IN the near future the mem
hers OF the party will doubtless be able TO agree
upon a reasonable plan" declared Secretary Taft
when he sounded the keynote OF the campaign
sust closed IN Bath, Me. on September 8. That
Secretary Taft had accurately gauged the senti-
ment OF the party Is clearly demonstrated. now
;hat the members Of Congress are beginning 10
gather in the national capital
on all sides there is talk Of tariff revision and
several proQlinent members OF both houses have
asserted their belief that the time has nearly
rived when something must be done TO readjust
the schedules of the Dingley tariff. OF course.
important and arduous a task cannot be
undertaken at the short session of Congress- and
81 IS entirely probable that Il will be deemed in
advisable 20 change the schedules the eve of
Presidential election, but members from all
quarters are discussing the necessity for some
changes IN the tariff law, and the impression
seems TO prevail that a special session will have
70 be called for the purpose.
IN THE SPRING OF 1909
Present indications are that the task will be
undertaken at special session Of Congress I'm
Ynsdietely following the next Presidential cleo
ton and that the Republican party will go into
the campaign with a platform pledging II 10
resdjust the schedules in the spring Of 1909.
Senator Spooner has declared himself in favor
OF tariff revision in his speeches In his state.
Senator Cullorn. who believes that the tariff
needs revision believes that the work can best
be done at a special session and at the time in
dicsted- Secretary Taft has already declared
his belief that the changes should be made, and
Il is held that pledge that the tariff will be
revised by its friends as soon after the election
Is over as is practica BILE Will prove strong issue
on which 20 appeal TO the voters IN the next
campaign, while such pledge would leave the
Democracy with issues which to base
their appeal for votes except the personality Of
William J. Bryan and his scheme for govern
nent ownership Of railways.
OF course some Of the members of Congress
who have returned 10 Washington are as
.stand pat as ever in their sentiments hut IL is
believed that even they VIII appreciate the ne
oessity OF doing something to correct the exist
ing inequalities by 1905 ana that they will lend
their support 10 the demand for a revision plank
in the next national platform.
COMING SESSION TOO BRIEF.
II is probable that some readjustment would
be undertaken at the coming session were IT not
that II IS limited by law TO practically three
months and by the time It adjourns all eyes
VIII be fixed on the Presidential race which is
10 occur in 1905 No party cares TO undertake
60 delicate an operation as tariff revision on the
eve OF g Presidential election. that II seems
improbable that anything be done in that
year and even the regular long session Of that
year might carry the work far toward the
Congressional election Of 1909 so that a definite
pledge that the work shall be done at special
session 70 follow Immediately on the inaugura-
ton Of President Roosevelt's successor is
thought here 10 obviate all difficulties and meet
all re1uirenents
Secretary Wilson, who returned from Iowa TO-
day. brings news that all Iowa Is discussing the
tariff and his report comedies with those from
other sections SO that IL is deemed wise that
the Republican party should clearly and strong
" declare its intentions before again appealing
70 the voters Of the country while Il is regarded
as certain that every protectionist (and there
are few voters who not protectionists) will
jump at the opportunity Of conAding TO the Re
publican D. ty the task Of readjusting the sched-
ules rather than intrust the task TO the party
which is opposed 10 the entire protective system.
WHAT WEsTERNERs WANT To KNOW.
Secretary Wilson, discussing the situation in
his state where he went for the election, said
to-day:
The people out my way want to know some
thing about the tariff. Some time ago there was
. demand for knowledge concerning the extent
and operations ~ the big corporations OF tho
country, ana the President and his supporters
went 10 work 10 satisfy The demand Now we
have a Bureau OF Corporations, and the knowl-
edge Is being gained. Then there came a de-
mand for the more adequate regulation of rail-
road rates, and The President and his supporters
went 10 work and got from Congress q Railroad
Rete Law. Well, nova days I find that the peo-
pic out my way want 10 know something OF the
tariff. They don't want somebody else TO get
the knowledge; they want IL themselves. And
they believe, moreover. thar the general knowl-
edge OF the tariff and the manner in which the
existing schedules work or do not work should
be difUsed before go ahead fast OF else
back into the breechng.