The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-25
Mr.. Roosevelt and the TariH.

WI y wv Nv 'NHs
There has been of late some vague dis
cussion of the Presidents more intimate
attitude toward the question Of revising
the Dingley schedules. The most inter-
esting opinion developed was that which
imputed TO MIR. ROOSEVELT "A determine
ton to effect a thorough revision of the
tariff during the remainder Of his term of
office and TO do it upon a plan charac-
teristically and peculiarly his own.
The President thinks that all tariff re-
vision which contemplates a general and
comprehensive schedule IL criminal folly.
The mere announcement of an intention
TO deal with the subject produces inCip-
lent commercial paralysis. It. upsets
all stability in business and entails wholly
unnecessary and oven destructive penal
ties. Uncertainty is tho deadlicst enemy
Of trade.
President ROOSEVELT is credited with
the belief that if certain items or clemen-
tary groups in the schedules are taken
and dealt with singlv, and with the dis
tinct provision at the outset hat the
revision shall become operative only after
a reasonable period has been allowed
10 the industry or trade which is affected
by the change in which 10 adjust itself
to the new conditions. a sensible and
satisfactory reform can bc instituted
without any Of the business disturbance
and dislocation which the whole country
SO justly breads. We must say that this
project, if a project il be, imprcsses us
- L-.-- cz,.-lol -. Al ,,o.t ,rh,Io.,,,,
common sense.
H. Is conceivable that Mr.. ROOSEVELT
has the influence and the power TO re-
strict the undue activities of the Con-
gress by the firm and effective stipula-
ton that any Measure which exceeds a
certain well defined scope will receive
his veto. In this way il would be possible
to deal nationally, chapter by chapter,
with the whole subject, and produce
neither alarm nor disturbance. Once
an industry or a trade is aware that the
tariff under which it operates is to be
reduced, but that time is to be allowed
for the maturing of existing contracts
and the consumption of material on hand,
that industry or trade is relieved of all
uuCCl IdlliJy anu dppiChViNiou anu 'dll
not only view the proposed change
calmly, but can cooperate to produce the
best results.
We should look upon such a move on
Mr.. RoosEvELr's part with the warmest
approval, and we believe that feeling
would be shared by every important
interest in the country. A change in the
Aw;skinx AavtH "a snary;tahln ThA oil
important thing is how it shall be effected.
IL rs heretofore, then FIVE years of
wretched and wholly gratuitous trouble,
anxiety and misfortune. IL by a new
party coming into power and inspired by
the kind of doctrines that have clothed
the winds of late years, then more years
OF worse misery and tenfold misfortune.
It seems more than possible that the
President could bring such a reform
about IL he addressed himself to it.
Unless he does so there will be no such
reform until there is a change of Gov
eminent. The whole force Of initiative
rests with the President. The Republi-
can party is absolutely incapable of
initiative, and if Mr.. ROOSEVELT once
started on the proposition he would have
the whole country behind him a. even
he has not yet had it.
May we hope that the agitation which
sscribes this beneficent activity to the
President does not err? II it is true, it
implies that the next two years will be
fraught with the greatest blessings that
could be conferred upon this people.