New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-20
MAY URGE NEW TARIFF.
PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT.
Il Taoo-Schedule Lac Erpected-
May Be Special Session in 1909.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, May 19-It is by no means I'M
probable that the President may urge on Con-
gress in his next annual message the advisa-
bility Of immediate revision of the Dingley
tariff. The extent to which such a course is
being urged on him would, were 1t generally
known, occasion much surprise, for some of the
most conservative statesmen and, too some or
the stanchest protectionists have expressed the
view that it might be wise to deal with this
troublesome subject next winter.
Senator Allison, talking recently for publica-
ton, said: I'm the next campaign, and possibly
in the next session of Congress. the tariff is
certain to be important issue Senator
Spooner. as will be recalled. in debate with
Senator Aldrich near the close of the recent
session. expressed his conviction that the time
had come when the tariff should be,readjusted.
and Senator AIdrich himself, although he has
been termed the high priest of protection" pe-
lieves that a number of the schedules should be
lowered and many of them altered to suit
changed conditions.
Two years ago last February. at conference
called this subject at the White House, Mr..
Adrich voted for tariff revision. as did Senator
Allison. and only the determined ''standpatism"
of Speaker Cannon and his allies in the House
last Congress In its first session. Senator
Lodge is another leader in the Senate who
CARDS tariff revision as all important, and Sen
ator SpOoner's successor mas already announced
his belief that the duties should be lowered.
Senator Hale is probably the only rock ribbed
standpatter" in the Senate
From all parts OF the West comes the in
formation that a change in the schedules is re-
garded as imperative and even certain repre-
sentatives of the steel industry have declared
that they will longer oppose the inevitable.
while the demand for lower duties In certain
parts of New England is we'll known.
FRENCH AND GERMAN RELATIONS.
The commercial relations of the United States
with Germany and France also promote tariff
revision sentiment 1t viii be recalled that 1t
was emphatically asserted IN the German
Reichstag that the existing tariff agreement
approved only because II understood to be
q temporary expedient intended solely to tide
over the time until a far more comprehensive
tariff treaty could be negotiated and approved.
And yet every one in touch with the Legislative
situation In the national capital is well aware
that the approval of reciprocity treaty with
Germany. or, in fact with any other European
nation is utterly impossible.
With the completion OF the German agree
mcnt France has presented claims which can
not be ignored without danger or precfpitatlnB
tariff with that country, and this at a
time when all American manufacturers are
reaching out for an increased market and the
foreign trade Of the United States is largely
accountable for the unprecedented prosperity
which the nation has so long and is still en-
joying
In the estimation OF the leaders in the Senate.
and TO some extent In the House the one proper
and practical solution of the tariff difficulties
with Germany and France rests IN the enact
ment Of a maximum and minimum tariff law
whereby Congress would TX both duties and the
President would be empowered TO grant the
lower duties in return for adequate conces-
sions The plan OF accomplishing reciprocity
agreements by treaty has IN the estimation Of
all who are competent TO Judge of the situa-
ton. been demonstrated 10 be absolutely i'm
practicable. and IT is regarded as an entirely
safe prediction that whenever the Dingley law
is replaced with tariff enactment one of
the most important features of the new law Will
be the minimum and maximum schedules
ALTERNATIVES POSSIBLE.
The tariff programme which has been most
extensively discussed in executive and legisla-
tive conferences in Washington and which has
many advocates. consists OF a definite pledge TO
be incorporated in the next Republican national
platform. to call Congress in special session soon
after March t. 1909 for the express purpose OF
revising the existing tariff schedules. From a
political point of view this programme has much
to recommend il. Practically. il has the advan-
tago that the members of the next House of
Representatives would then, presumably be
elected under pledge to carry such revision
into effect and the influential stand patters' in
the lower chamber would be poweriess disre-
gard the recommendation of the Executive. the
v.ul of the upner. house and probably the will
Of the people.
The only alternative TO this programme is for
the President 70 urge upon Congress the neces-
nity of tariff revision i'll his next annual message
and prompt and effective action by the coming
Congress IT may be remarked parenthetically
that any readjustment of the tariff schedules at
a short session. such will immedia tey precede
March /, 1909. has been clearly demonstrated In
the judgment of the leaders to be impractical
bic Such a session offers far too many oppOr-
tunties for flibustering. 1t is between these
alternatives that the President must, before he
prepares his next annual message, make his
choice
THE PRESIDENTS VIEWS.
Personally. the President has long been
WINGED that the tariff should be readjusted. and
now the only problem which confronts him is the
Question of expediency The most powerful ar
gu,nent against pledging the party TO tariff re-
vision in the next national platform, revision
which could not be accomplished until prac-
tically a year later is that the prospect or
change of the tariff schedules entertained so long
IN advance would have a strong tendency 10 in
terfere with business and might prove gravely
inimcal to the general prosperity. business
men would naturally curtail their imports TO the
bare necessities with the hope that under the
81.