New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-07
PROGRESS ON REVISION
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE
HAZE LEARNED MUCH.
One Of Most Important Ldbors tn
Formulating Tariff Bill about
Completed.
EFrorn The Tribune Rureau.l


Washington, Dec 6.-While there is differ
ence of opinion among the members Of the Ways
and Means Committee TO the ultimate value OF
the testimony adduced at the hearings which have
been in progress for last three weeks, there is
member of that body who hesitates to express
the conviction that he has been considerably en-
lghtened and obtained information which could
hardly have to him in other way. The
committee has practically completed one OF It's
important Iabors in the formulation and draft
ing Of the new tariff law every schedule in the
DingIey bill has been under consideration with q
view TO revising it to afford the most rea-
sonable protection to American labor and American
initiative. and at the same time to raise about a
million dollars day in revenues and to guard the
interests of the vast majority of the people, the
consumers.
That this undertaking Is stupendous one re-
curing months of deliberation. is realized by none
more strongly than by the members of the commit
tee, who have begun their work with earnestness
and determination and do not expect to forget the
tariff question moment until next summer. with
the completion of the hearings the committee feels
that its labor has only begun. Statistics have been
collected after months Of work by trained corps
Of government experts. hundreds of pamphlets have
been gathered subjects relating to the tariff
volumes OF testimony have been taken. and yet
there remains the greater part of the work. the con-
sideration OF all the evidence presented and the
drawing of the bill
st am constantly learning facts about the
tariff" said Representative Payne, chairman of the
committee to-day. THE hearings thus far have
brought many new phases which will materially
sst the committee in its deliberations. OF course
there many more points TO be cleared We
are most anxious obtain with accuracy the rea-
tive difference between the cost OF production at
home and abroad. that a definite basis for re-
vision may be established. No efforts will be
spared by committee secure all helpful facts
From time time there will be supplemental hear
ings and additional testimony from experts who
thoroughly familiar with the subjects they
viii be called to discuss.
GAINES TO CONSIDER BOTH SIDES
THE hearings" said Representative Gaines, Of
West Virginia have developed the fact that much
more study is required before a bill be framed
which will be equitable in all its provisions. 1t
will be my endeavor 10 see both sides 10 every
question, that my vote may be an intelligent
one I think there is no doubt however. that the
witnesses who have appeared have given the COM
mittee much valuable testimony and pointed out q
way of finding the facts they have been unable to
give"
"A wealth of information has been brought out
at the hearings" said Representative BOnynge. of
Colorado, information which I think would have
been difficult obtain in any other way. There
many points yet unsettled but on the whole
think the witnesses before have greatly ex-
pedited the framing of the BILL
Representatives Calderhead. OF Kansas; Hill, OF
Connecticut, and Crumpacker, of Indiana, also
pressed themselves having been greatly aided
by the hearings, and expressed the hope that the
other witnesses to follow would prove in
structive.
From the Democratic side Champ Clark declared
that the hearings had been well conducted and
instructive hearings CO. but he said he wanted
witnesses to appear under OATH SO that the COM
mittee would be enabled to get at the bottom OF
apparent inconsistencies and discover why certain
Objectionable paragraphs had been put into the
law.
'Of course the hearings have been OF service to
the committee" said Representative Bourke Cock
ran. They have opened the subject, in the first
place and they have also given each of US q
definite idea to how must proceed in order
that the next law may be fair one. Much OF
the testimony from interested parties, but
It is difficult to see how it could be otherwise"
Representative Underwood. of Alabama, said: In
many cases I have been unable to ascertain, the
facts desired from witnesses who am sure had
the information and unwilling to give 1t to
the committee, but, on the whole, the hearings
have been of great value to me. So far as can
see two classes of witnesses appear before US:
those who information and those who have
not The first class is usually inclined to side
of a question, and will divulge only that evidence
which will strengthen that side in the eyes OF the
committee; the other class is willing to give
curate testimony, but unfortunately, does not
possess It. A genera statement. either of de-
nunciation or praise, is Of absolutely no value to
the committee Facts and figures are necessary
The committee has been fortunate in securing q
fair share Of these, but there still many sched-
uies which costs and other data nave not peeh
obtained
POU FAVORS PAYNE RESOLUTION.
Representative Pou, OF North Carolina, regrets
that most of the witnesses who have appeared be-
fore the committee have been interested parties.
and for this reason he does believe the hearings
have been wholly convincing complete. He is a
strong advocate OF Representative Payne's pro-
posed resolution which viii be introduced in the
House tomorrow making it possible for the
mittee to subpoena witnesses and compel testimony,
under oath, which not pos sbie during the last
three weeks, when the answers to questions were
purely voluntary and in the discretion Of the wit
nesses.
No member Of the Ways and Means Committee
is willing at present TO express opinion any
definite rate of duty except in a general way The
Republican members do not hesitate to say that
their votes shall he based the relative cost Of
production at home and broad while most of the
Democrats make no secret OF their determination
to vote for decreases of duty wherever it is pos
sble except in regard TO those articles in which
their own districts especially interested 1t is
certain, however, that in the bill which the
mittee will draft few increases will be made and
that these will be brought about more to eQualze
| unbalanced schedules than 20 add specific protec-
ton The number OF reductions from prevailing
| rates is expected TO be more numerous, especially
in those paragraphs which stand in need of equali-
cation.
Although each member Of the committee has
avowed the intention of approaching every schedule
with a mind open to conviction there are several
| members who grounded in their particular
| beliefs concerning the tariff that amount of evil
dence is likely to cause change Of mind. On the
whole however, the opinion is fast gaining ground
| in Washington that Congress Is inclined TO deal
much more reasonably Wi h the tariff question than
IL has received credit for. especially since IT was
settled that Mr.. Taft would have TO be consulted
before any change effected in the existing Ia W.
| Certain ii is that no matter how widespread were
the efforts bettle the committee at the outset OF
| the hearings. there is now general impress
sion that serious attempts being made secure
/ info nd ba iC