The Washington herald., 1906-12-12

Is the tariff really the matter of the
trusts, a second cousin. or no relation at
.an?
That is what Representative P. p.
Campbell, of Kansas, desires to know, ac-
cording to resolution introduced in the
House yesterday. The resolution calls for
the appointment of commission 10 in
quire into the connection between the
tariff and trusts and monopolies, and the
industrial and labor interests Of the
United States, and to recommend such
changes in existing schedules, if any seem
to be necessary, as viii better promote
the common welfare"
The proposed commission is to consist
Of nine members, five to be appointed by
the Speaker from the membership of the
House. three by the Senate from It's mem
bership and one by the President It is
to inquire particularly into the reputed
sale OF American goods abroad cheaper
than at home, and to investigate the ef-
fects Of the tariff upon the various ques-
tions relating TO the agricultural, CONNER
cial, mercantile. manufacturing, mining,
industrial, and labor interests OF the
United States" The changes recommend
ed, II any are recommended, must tend to
the establishment OF a tariff that Will do
the greatest justice 10 all the interests Of
the whole country, and. as nearly as pos
sible to do so. balance the receipts and
expenditures of the government"
The resolution provides that the salary
OF the member Of the comission appointed
by the President shall be 5000 per year.
no 70 rrnafr-a
any compensation in addition 10 their
regular salaries as members Of Congress.
The salary Of $3.50 IS also provided for
a clerk and stenOgrapher.
Desires Business Reasons.
The object Of my resolution IS TO get
at the business and economic reasons. II
any, for changing our tariff system, %
said Mr.. Campbell IN discussing the sub
ject. The common welfare, rather than
political expediency. should decide so i'm
portant a question. It is strange, but
true. that those who are endeavoring to
secure a caucus Of Republicans TO take
up the matter Of tariff revision, urge only
political reasons The same is true Of
those who favor a special session in the
early spring for the purpose Of taking
Up tariff revision furthermore. those who
favor making a provision in the next
Republican national platform for revision
after the Presidential election, two years
hence, say that is the thing 10 90 from
a political standpoint. but say no more
Business and economic reasons are not
urged by any one continued the Kansas
Congressman. NO suggestion Is made
Of a change in schedules that viii start a
single industry, or give employment 10 or
raise the wages Of d single working man
or reduce the cost Of living.
a thorough inquiry VIII advise the
country OF whatever changes should be
made. and Of the probable effect such
changes may nave upon industries and
labor. My resolution provides for
thorough inquiry. The determination of
the proper time for tariff revision ought
TO be based on business. rather than
political considerations.
Resolution Attracts Attention.
The resolution has elected considerable
comment, coming. as il does. from a Re
publican who waged and won his last
campaign for reelection on a standpat
platform. Some Of the older standpatters
are inclined 10 sneer at the resolution.
and belitue it generally, because Of the