The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-02-11
NON-PARTISAN TARIFF COMMITS
SION.

The delegates representing manu-
featuring and trade interests who have
gone to Washington to consult with
the speaker of the house of representa-
ii, es, leaders in both branches of con-
igress and the president for the purpose
of promoting action at the present ses-
sion on the subject of tariff revision
are on a wild goose chase. The decree
has been issued by the managers of the
republican party that there is to be
no tariff revision until after the presi-
Dental election, and the advocates of
revision may as we'll understand that
such decree is going to be enforced.
These delegates seem to think, how
ever, that they can secure the estab-
lishment at his session of a nOn-parti-
san tariff commission, and that is what
they are going to strive for. The
Journal of Commerce says Of the pur-
poses of this delegation:
These delegates of manufacturing
and trade interests claim to represent
'billiOns OF capital and upwards OF
two millions of votes and 1T is an
nOunced in their behalf that they DO
not plead for action but demand it as
a matter Of right. The chairman of
the tariff committee of the Manufac-
turers' Association, who is spoken of
as a tariff expert is quoted as say
ing that the manufacturers of this
country are tremendously in earnest
in their demand for the immediate
appointment of a n~On-partisan tariff
commission" That is specifically what
they want now and they are DIS sure
of getting it, he says las republicans
car be. and we are all republicans
as we'll as prOtectiOnists.' That dec
laration is highly suggestive as 10 the
non partisan character Of the COM
mission demanded and the policy
which it would be expected to sustain.
These men wow themselves as all
republicans and prOtectiOnists, and
unless they exenlplify a new turn in
human nature, they would expect Il
commission to maintain Il republican
and protecttonist tariff policy, adjusted
simply to promote more effectively the
purpose of each policy.
1t is said hat the specific measur
which they favor ana the passage of
which they expect to promote by their
conferences at Washington, is luat in
troduced in the senate by Beveridge,
of Indiana. and in the house by Steen-
erson of Minnesota. This provides for
a permanent commission of five mem
bers to be appointed by the president,
by n with the advice OF the senate.
the members of said commission to
be appointed solely with a view 20
their qualifications as specified in this
act and without regard to political af-
filiatlons."
The commission being thus consti-
tuted n provided with means and
facilities fol- it's work, for which 800
600 would be appropriated to start
with. its chief function would be to in
"VestSate Immediately the cost Of
production of all articles covered by
the tariff. with special reference to
the prices paid American labor, the
prices of raw materials, whether do
mestic Ct imported, entering into man.
ufactured articles, the c-ndition Of
domestic and foreign markets as af-
fecting American products. and all
other facts which, in the iudGment Of
the commission. may be necessary or
helpful TO congress in providing euui-
table rates OF duties on any article:
ana In general. to thoroughly investi-
gate ali the various questions relating
70 the manufacturing. AGRICULTURAL.
commercial and mining interests of
the United States so far as the same
may be necessary or helpful to
ress IN enacting customs tariff laws"
The results of these Investigations
would be laid before CONGRESS cat the
earliest possible moment for its "use.
and guidance" and the
COMMISSION would, at the request of
.he WaVs n means committee of the
mouse on the finance committee of the
senate or by direction of congress. sit
With those committees during their
sessions when said committees are
or considering any bill affect
inc the customs tariff laws of the
United States"