New-York tribune., 1907-08-20

These protective schedules. thus figured. must
1t must make full allowance for the possibility
of hard times abroad and good times mere; ;l? LOT
dumping, and all other contingencies rms
done, il is truly protective and 1t Is only so az
1t covers these features and nothing more
MANY SCHEDULES EXCESSIVE.
After referring to the fact that there were
some articles in which the tariff was hardly
high enough, the conclusion of the committee
was stated as follows:
"Confning ourselves to the protective prin-
cpe. we find many schedules-sOme of them
upon the prime necessities of life-returnng
the government no revenue of consequence, and
yet under the claims of the protective theory
bearing a tariff schedule, not merely equal to
and abroad with all reasonable contingencies
allowed for, but decidedly in excess of the total
wage cost of production in this country.
1--WE find some of these schedules many times
In excess of the difference between the cost Of
production here and abroad. We find that in
diyiduaIs who are at the top. both in stock hold
inps and in nanagernent in some of these same
Industries declare privately that these schedules
are wrong and that the best interest Of those
the country at large, require adjustment at the
earliest possible moment. They say that now
is the time for revision, while the country is
so prosperous that adjustment may easily be
made to conditions"
VOTE OF ASSOCIATION.
In that body of $4,000 members 800 or 20
per cent were radically opposed to revision;
per cent were opposed 10 revision at this time
vision, and II per cent were Indifferent or unin-
formed Taken by industries. out of II different
industries tabulated 90 voted for revision, cast
ing a total of 1.510 votes; Is industries voted
against revision casting total Of 102 votes;
= industries were each tied in their votes, cast
The association then by resolutions passed by
large majority declared itself in favor of a re-
vision of the tariff at the earliest practicable
date
MATTER BEFORE CONGRESS.
have not cited the report or action of the
National Association of Manufacturers as con-
elusive upon the character of the present Sched-
ules, nor do I assume that the manufacturers
of the country embrace all the classes VINO are
interested in maintaining the protective system,
for 1 fully recognize that other classes. espe-
Cally the farmers, are Vitally concerned IN some
of the schedules. All that l maintain IS that
when after a tariff law has been in force ten
years and a representative body OF protec-
rionists in principle and in interest. whose bust
ness makes them familiar with the facts ana
who have no motive for misrepresentation
adopts such a report as the one l have quoted
from, ii makes case for investigation into the
existing tariff by Congress for the purpose of
determining how much revision is needed
SCHEDULES FOR CONGRESS.
The investigation in the end will be con-
Quoted by the Committee of Ways and Means
of the House of Representatives and by the
Finance Committee of the Senate The seized
IIles are for them 10 recommend and Tor Con-
gress 10 fix after they hear evidence OF the
cost of production In this country and the cost
of production abroad, and the conditions exist
popuIar opinion founded such substantial
evidence as that which / have cited here sn"uid
prove to be unfounded. then the revision OF IIe
tariff will be confined to minor inequalities But
If the result of the investigation Justlies the
report OF the National Association OF Manutact-
urers. then the revision Of the excessive sched-
ules should be substantial, and the motive ror
the organization and maintenance or uhiaWlul
trusts to monopolize the manufacture ana sdle
OF articles in such schedules Will be taken away
THE PROSPERITY ARGUMENT
Objection is made to revision on the ground
that enjoying business prosperity; thae t
this Will be disturbed by a proposal TO ChS'hs9
the tariff. and that should wait untu ha[u
times before revise. 1 cannot follow the
argument The revision proposed is TO be py
the Republican party and Is not to be CePaIl-
from the protective principle ouj III Go, ,'ar
sons injuriously who making an unrcasoh-
able profit out Of an excessive rate. 1h9 pres IS
ent prosperity is not dependent on SuSh d Plont. P
II IT were. then It would not be the proSpeissy
of the whole business community, out ohIy Oh d
few unduy favored at the expense OF H. o''T T,aia
munity. In the present temper OF Iie pe3L-e' pL
general prosperity has not prevented the rem rem
edying Of other abuses and injustice. ooh
know why It should prevent this.
DELAY TILL AFTER ELECTION
I had occasion in a speech which l delivered
M Rath Me. now about year ago 70 express
nv individual opinion as in favor Of an iInme-
date revision of the tariff. but l there pointed
out, and only refer 10 1t to repeat anu G.nI5' a
size II, that the revision Of q tarlt lnVoiNeS SO
many different interests the country ever tnat
IL could not be undertaken successfully pF tHe
Republican party. and therefore ought not 70 DC
undertaken at all until the party as whole IS
I'm favor of IL. l veutuTed 20 express the opinion
that the sentiment in favor of a revision In the
Republican party crystalHzing TO en- a
point that In a short time we might expect 70
have action upon the subject Nhat mas nap
pened IN the last year has only served to con-
firm the view then expressed ana II no" seeLiS i
70 me that even most of the extremists IN the
matter of the tariff of opinion that It would
be not only unwise but unsafe for the party TO
fail In its next national platform 10 pledge Itself
to a revision Of the tariff as soon after the next
Presidential election as possible IhoSe OF US
who favor immediate revision can we'll AFFORD 10
wait until after the next Presidential election IN
order 70 secure substantial acquiescenCe by all
Republicans Certainly a delay OF action for
eighteen months ought TO furnish reason FOR
no protectionist to invite the certain business
disaster that Democratic revision on free trade
lines would involve. More than this, fuIl time
should be given for the operation Of a new tarin
upon the business of the country before the
people express their opinion OF It Ihe passage
Of bill by the next Congress would mean the
consideration by Congress of the tariff in the
midst of a Presidential campaign with all the
opuortunity for misre presentation OF its effect
which it's practical operation for year or more
would refIte Furthermore. with Presidential
election four years removed we can count on
revision less affected by political considerations
than if made in the heat OF national campaign.
OTHER SUBJECTS OMITTED.
There are other subjects 1 should like TO dis
cuss-Porto Rico, Cuba, the Philippines. Santo
Domingo the Navy, the Army and our foreign
policy the race question and the war amend
Tnents and the order OF the President dismiss
ing 10 men of the 25th Infantry.
BROWNSVILLE ORDER
The attitude of the President and the War
Department and the reasons for the action
taken in respect to the 25th Infantry were suftl-
ciently set forth in the communications by the
President and by me sent TO Congress with
the evidence then taken. Since that time, the
Senate Committee on Military Affairs has taken
3 900 printed pages of evidence in the same mat
ter. and the hearing is not concluded. Until
the hearing is closed and the committee makes