The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-20

and a representative body of projections
lists in principle and in interest, whose
business makes them familiar with tho
| facts and who have no motive for mis-
representation, adopt such a report as
| the one have quoted from, 1t makes a
case for Investigation into the existing
| tariff by congress for the purpose of de-
termining how much revision is needed
The investigation in the end will be-
conducted by the committee of ways
and means of the house OF representa-
tives and by the finance committee OF
| The senate. The schedules are for them
to recommend and for congress to fix
after they hear evidence of tho cost OF
production in this country and the cost
of production abroad, and the conditions
existing in each trade.
If the result Of the investigation justi-
fles the report of the National Associa-
ton of Manufacturers, then the revision
OF the excessive schedules should be
substantial, and the motive for the or
ganization and maintenance of unlaw-
full trusts to monopolize the manufacture
and sale of articles in such schedules
will be taken away.
Objection is made to revision on the
ground that we are enjoying business
prosperity that this will be disturbed by
proposal to change the tariff, and that
we should wait until hard times before
we revise. cannot follow the argument.
The revision proposed is to be by the
Republican party and is not to be a de-
parLure from the prOtecI1On principle,
but in conformity with 1t.
1t will affect only those persons in
juriously who are making an unreason-
able profit out of an excessive rate. The
present prosperity is not dependent on
such q profit. If it were, then it would
not be the prosperity of the whole bust
ness community, but only of few I'M
duly favored at the expense of the com
munity. I'm the present temper OF the.
people, general prosperity has not pre-
cd he odxrfTl of 0fI al
and injustice. don't know why it
should prevent this
Revision After Election.
1 had OCCASION in q speech which I
delivered at Bath. Me, now about q
year ago, to express my individual
opinion as in favor of an Immediate
revision of the tariff. but there point
ed out, and L only refer to it to repeat
it and emphasize 1t. that the revision
of a tariff involves many different
interests the country over as that it
could not be undertaken successfully
by the Republican party, and therefore
ought not to be undertaken at all. I'M
til the party as whole is in favor
of it.
What has happened in the last year
only served to confirm the view then
expressed, and it now seemGSO me that
even most of the extremists in the
matter of the tariff are of opinion that
it would be not only unwise, but un-
safe. for the party to fail in its next
revision of the tariff as soon after the
next presidential election as possible.
Those of us who f1ror immediate
revision can we'll afford to walt until
after the next presidential election In
order to secure substantial acquies-
cence by all Republicans. Certainly a
delay of action for eighteen months
ought to furnish a reason for no pro-
tectionist to invite the certain business
disaster that Democratic revision on
free trade lines would involve. More
than this. full time should be given
for the operation of new tariff upon
the business of the country before the
people express their opinion of 1t.
The passage of a bill by the next
congress would mean the considera-
ton by congress of the tariff in the
midst Of a presidential campaign with
all the opportunity for misrepresenta-
ton of its effect which its practical
operatfon of a year or more would
refute Furthermore. with a presiden-
tial election four years removed. we
can count on revision less affected by
noIitfcal considerations than If made
in the heat of a national campaign.