The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-08-24

Declares That Before Tariff Revision
Is Undertaken the People Shouts 6e
Heard From-erysn Mil Also Make
Reply.
Georgetown. o.. Aug. EN- his adj
dress before the ChautauGua Assembly.
United States senator Foraker dis
cnssed Secretary OF War Taft's Column
brs speech and the opinions expressed.
from which he differed in many par
lculars. Quoting freely from the
speech OF the secretary of war and
from his own remarks in she debates
in congress. Senator Foraker expressed
bis opinion on the various public oucs-
lions discussed hy MI Taft In the
course II his speech AT. Foraker said.
An the provisions Of the Hepburn
rate bill. specifically mentioned by Sec
rotary Iatt in his ,ommeudation OF
thar measure. except the ratc-making
provision. were Incorporated into that
hiil by the senate. Most OF thcu with
My active assistance. and some OF
them upon nay own motion.
"rhe bal as q came from the house.
was an imperfect measure.
The interstate commerce commit
roc of the senate recognized this Tact.
hrt a majority of that committee. act
ing under instructions that should
never have been giyen. refused Co ale
low any amendments whatever 90 le
made IN the committee. and il was
only after parliamentary contest M
mr. u
mcnts that We're finally adopted were
made ia the open senate
ID have conteudel that. so far as I
have yer been informed there has been
no lowering OF rates since the Hepburn
'lw was passed. whereby the shippers
of Ohio have been benefited. except
only such as would have been made in
an probability Il the Hepburn law had
mover been passed on the contrary.
since che Hepburn rate law was passed
the majority of their rates have been
edsanced Very few. IL any. have been
lowered
The purpose Of the Eikins law was
60 give The shippers OF the country
speedy remedy arainst rebates and
cS every Kind and cha--
lcter and 20 absolutely break up AMI
destroy such practices.
There was much doubt EXPRESSED in
the nate committee as 90 the wisdom
~ following the rccommendatinn Il
The interstate commerce commission
ers 90 repeal the imprisonment clause.
AT any rate. after nearly % years
II experience there wns no case
OF successful prosecution for any Of
Tense punishable hy imprisonment. ana
there he'd been no case Of imprison-
mcnt The law was 70 that particular a
dead letter. All this seemed reason
enough FOR the change
IN more than 100 prosecutions the
Eizias law. as originally enacted. has
been found a quick. decisive. efficient
and Inexpensive remedy.
$40 amendment OF tho Elkins law
by the provisions 81 the Hepburn rate
law has been invoked To any 81 these
proceedings. In fact. the most trou-
blesome difficulties OF an thu cases I'M
der the Elkius law arose. and were
brought 70 a final and successful De-
termination before the Hepburn rate
Law was enacted
The secretary also seeks % create
the impression that the railroads unit
'dly opposed the passage OF the Hc-i-
burn rate law. and that they spent a
large amount OF money and made
great efforts % defeat IT,
I'll my rccollecuous be not az fault.
the Pennsylvania railroad. the New
York, New Haven Hartford rail-
road. and perhaps number OF roads
favored the Hepburn bill Cutting on
passes was alone worth millions %
the railroads. Positive prohibition OF
rebates and DETERMINATIONS was worth
stil other millions"
senator Foraker spoke or his recent
public requests that Secretary TAFT
give q BIN OF particulars as e. his tariT
revision views and declared the Co
iumbus speech not sufficiently 'Ium-
inous on this point"
Senator Foraker continued.
For one reason for immediate re-
vision we are told that a majority Of
the members OF the National Manu-
facturers' Association have declared
themselves in favor of a revision of
the tariff
In the first place. this action Of
lhis association could not have infu.
anced the secretary when he spoke al
Bath. one year ago. for it was taken
only few weeks ago. Except his as.
sumption and this action OF this asso-
citation, the secretary practically as
signs no other reason why the tariff
should be revised. except only that r.
vision must come some time. and that
If we do not revise. the Democrats
may.
What I contend for is. that before
any such revision is entered upon. the
people shall be heard on the subject.
and nave already suggested that such
a step should not be taken until after
We have a chance to consult them in
the presidential campaign OF next
year"
BRYAN Tn REPLY