The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-19

WASHINGTON, Nov. is.-Until Congress
has assembled and arranged It's programmes
Il will be impossible to say what course
will be followed in tariff matters. While
IL IN practically certain that bills wll be
introduced calling for general and for
specific adjustment OF tariff rates, there IN
hardly more than ons chance in a million
that any action will be taken onthem during
the coming session. The probability Of an
extra session in thu spring or the autumn
for tarif consideration now seems remote.
The question is little likely to be taken up
during the session OF 1907 %. because Of the
imminence OF a national campaign.
There in, nevertheless. q growing con
vietisn that the issue must be met and
that consideration of tho matter OF tsrin
adjustment must COME at an early day.
Sincs the passage Of tho Dingiey act "a
foreign has very nearly doubled.
and our domestic trade has increased enor-
mously. Nsw conditions nav arisen both
at nome and abroad. A decade OF chanes
IN commercial conditions and OF improve
ment in mechanical appliances has brought
to some q conviction and to many q belisf
that an unnecessary measure OF protection
il given to certain lines, with Q resultant
injury to the consuming public. IL In
more than possible hat other lines are now
insuficientiy protected and that important
industries might b established under other
rates. As a business people We should
bring our trade methods and orr fiscal
system up to date.
Pending definite action there should be
definite preparation. Tariffs cannot b
framed in q day. The German tari6 which
won't into effect last March was the result
OF Ave years OF painstaking research by q
commission which included oficial experts
and leading Representatives Of industrial
and commercial intercete. Admitting all
that may b said OF the high intelligence
and. the all around information OF the
United States Congress. il must also be
admitted that q very large majority In
that body 10 about as familiar with tbs
iutricacies OF tho tariff a. it 10 with
the ceremonial rites Of the ancient Egyp-
tan priesthood. To our schedules are to
be revised. as they undoubtedly should
be, the work should be wisely conceived
and competently executed. The fact that
opponents OF expert commissions are dis
posed TO sneer at such a method a. q mere
device for postponing action docs not alter
J00 IaCJ tuaJ JdrlH Tb&uH1thou, ~ " Ws"Oty
left to slapdash legislation by people who
have little or no knowledge Of the work
they are doing.
Never before has this country been 90
well equipped for a competent handling
OF The tariff question. Statistical infor-
nation of all kinds is Immediately availa-
bic, and we have scores OF special studsnts
who are familiar with the American tariff
and the tariffs OF other countries. Any
thing like q horizontal reduction In out OF
the question. and sweeping changes are
neither necessary nor desirable. h special
requirement is q businesslike readjustment
Of particular schedules. based OF competent
information m q proper understanding
of the probable or certain results OF any
changes which may be made.
Originally the main object OF the tarih was
to secure revenue for the Government. The
protective feature was, however, an early
development. and the system 10 to-day n
OF the most important factors in our in
dustrial and commercial life. For that
reason, IL for no other, il should be brought
fully up to date and kept up to date.