Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-11-09
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DO YOU FAVOR THIS REFORM?


Dear Sir: Just a word on plain
business proposition.
Adequate protection to American
labor and industries Is the established
policy of this country. 1t is motor
ous fact. nevertheless, that existing
customs classiflcations, as we'll as
rates of duty. are sadly out of line
with conditions now prevailing in the
world of trade. Many of those how
ever. who realize this fact. are In
clined to postpone as long as possible
the work of REIMBURSEMENT for the reas-
on that tariff changes as heretofore
made have unsettled business. The
question arises, therefore, is there no
way In which abuses can be corrected,
our foreign trade safeguarded. and JUS
| tice served the consuming public
without menacing the general prosper
ity?
Three great national conventions of
commercial and agricultural interests.
! to-wit: The National Reciprocity con-
vention, held at Chicago in 1905. the
Foreign Commerce convention, held at
Washington, ID. c., January, 1907, and
the Annual Convention of the Ma
tional Association OF Manufacturers.
held in New York City in May. 1907.
have considered this matter and agreed
| unanimously In calling upon congress
| to create q permanent non-partisan
| tariff commission with semi judicial
functions--such as the power to sum-
mon witnesses-which shall make an
unbiased Investigation of the opera
ton of our customs duties. regulations
and classifications. hear complaints.
study domestic and foreign market
conditions, and report to the executive
and to congress from time to time
such notifications as in their judg-
ment may safely and properly be made
| in the interests Of the general well
fare.
| We seek not a reversal Of policy,
but an intelligent REIMBURSEMENT OF an
accepted policy to meet changing; con-
ditions The fact that the protected
industries Of the country themselves,
as represented in the National Assoc
citation OF Manufacturers are earnest
lly supporting this proposition, reflects
the general desire Of business men
everywhere. regardless OF party, to see,
| the consideration of these questions
removed as far as possible from the
arena of politics. 1t is believed that
permanent commission of this sort
to be named by the president. would In
| due course of time demonstrate its
value and win the confidence Of the
people and Of congress to such a de-
gree that it's findings and recornmen-
dations, based upon broad business
1 1,o
as general rule approved.
| A study of the methods under which
other great commercial nations Of the
world are handling these subjects
Il leads to the conclusion that the I'm
| tied States must call into it's service
in the near future the aid of trained
! body of men to enable us to meet M
telligently the various perplexine GUes-
lions arising out of the general adop-
ton Of maximum and minimum tariffs
by several OF cur strongest competitors
for the worlds trade.
It is said that the tariff will be re-
vised after the next presidential cleo
ton Thi., would be in 1909. The next
r. vision must be free from graft. hon
| est and reasonable; based upon real
facts. Tt will require not less than
t"yo yeaEs Of careful study and tnves
Itiea.ion to determine as to what .arite
changes sftdld be mad,. II, ,hev"-
Ifore, revision is to be approached In
| 1909, it is of the highest Importance
1 that the intervening time be utilized
wisely. II such inquiry is not author
lied at the coming session of congress
it will mean that actual revision will
not be reached until 1910 or 1911.
Meantime, we are losing trade abroad,
and are being imposed upon at home
! by reason of the operation of the ex-
listing law. We respectfully submit
therefore that every consideration OF
wisdom and prudence suggests the
creation by the informing congress Of
4 perman tariff commission 'as rec
commended by the three conventions
| first above mentioned.
Respectfully submitted,
J. w. VAN HCLEAVF.
Chairman National Association Of
Manufacturers.
VIM. M'CARROLL,
Chairman National Foreign Com
merce Convention.
ALVIN H. SANDERS.
Chairman American Reciprocal Tar
if League.
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