The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-27
no TARITT Rgr1sIoN T8lS r1AR
Chairman Payne Decides II fdr fne Gems
mlttee ON Ways and MEc

NAAaAAA AAD E8NuO VLUAIDU ~ !. - K"AN
mittee ON Ways and M
WASHINGTON, March 2e.-That VIII
be no effort looking to any reviSt4N q re
tariff at this session was practically ~
by Chairman Payne of the Commi o4 4
Ways and Means, when, in responfq toe
request made by Mr.. Mccall Of Maaanchu-
~setts,,a member of the oommitteet for o
hearing Of the members Of the Massa0hu-
sets delegation in favor Of a readjustment
of the tariff, he expressed the opinion that
a majority Of the committee were opposed
to a revision at this time. Mr.. Payne's reply
follows:
Yours OF the 2Ist inst. reached me last even-
ing. You refer me to tho declaration OF the
Massachusetts, platform and also OF the ma
tional Republican platform. I am thoroughly
In sympathy with the announcement In the
national platform that rates of duty should
be readjusted only when conditions have 80
changed that the public interests demand
their alteration. The question now presents
Itself as to whether the conditions are now
such that the public interest demands q change
In tarlf rate. This question can only be set
tied practically by the concurrent view OF the
majority OF the party In power and RESPONSE
Bile for legislation.
While there Is a group OF members OF the
House who believe that q few changes should
be made, and still another group or groups
who believe the changes demanded by the
other group Injurious. but that the tarih
should be changed In regard to other items In
the schedules, I think you will agree with me
that a majority of the Republicans In the
House do not concur In The opinion that there
should be a general revision Of the tariff.
While there is a majority Of Republican
members who concur that the tariT should be
-s.A H. 49, 49, tA--- A1%-A Ia n Olln
minority who believe that any effort to change
the tariff should be entered upon at the present
session Of Congress.
Our people have not forgotten the dishonest
but plausible claims that were made by our
opponents at the election in 1890. following
within a month the anal passage Of the Mchin-
ley bill and the unfortunate results or THAI
election The resulting change OF policies
was especially disastrous to the business and
labor interests Of the country through the
years that followed. Surely we ought not to
repeat the experiment In the year 1905.
Congress Is not prepared 20 review the
tariff schedules In that calm, judicial frame
OF mind so necessary TO the proper prepara-
ton of a tariff act at q time 80 near the coming
Congressional elections. The Dingley bill
was the most successful ever enacted. Its
practical results were so evident to the coun-
try during the eighteen months that elapsed
DtlN ttu llS phsehBo huo tho h0Ao SiONtioh
that the people have continued the policy
of that bill to the present day. 1t would be
unfortunate should any prectpitate action In
the future result III a temporary reversal OF
the policy OF protection in the United States.
While 1t Is true that some improvement
could well be made in the rates under the
Dlneley bill 1t was probably as free from
defects at the time Of its passage as any new
law which could now be enacted. During
the nine years Of it's operation the country
has enjoyed prosperity unparalleled, a pros
perity which at the present time 10 simply
marvellous. We may well hesitate to take
any chance Of lnterrupting the business OF
the country by a general revision OF the tariff.
and We should never enter upon 1t until we
are satisfied that such a revision will ac-
complish results far outwelghlng any we'll
grounded apprehension Of business depres-
sion and consequent evil results which would
come, even temporarily. from such revision.
i cannot therefore agree with your dele
CATION that 1t would be best at the present
session of Congress to enter Upon a considera-
ton of the tariff with q view 20 It's revision
and readjustment. While this is my individ-
ual opinion / have reason 10 believe that 1t is
also the Judgment OF a decided majority OF
the Committee on Ways and Means. Sin
cerely yours, SERENE E. PAYNE.