New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-07

The repeated statements from critics that the
mittee has never had intention Of real tariff re-
vision and the predictions that the hearings would
be mere blinds to the real motives OF the House
leaders do not to be borne out by the de-
termined effort to secure and publish Information
and the frequent appeals TO all classes for lntor1na
ton.
DEMOCRATS NOT FOR FREE TRADE.
It is true perhaps. that the Democrats will in
the main cling to their traditions and vote sohdly
against any increase of duty. matter what It's
object may be, but one Of them, with the pos
sble exceptions of Representatives Pou OF North
Carolina and Randeu. Of Texas, are inclined 10
free trade; neither they bindy opposed to pro-
lection. Those two members undeniably 'reve-
nue. only men. but the other Democrats lncIuo-
ing Representative Clark, the senior Democratic
member of the committee and new minority leader
with Representatives Cochran and Underwood are
for revenue first but they believe that in numer-
GUS schedules a certain amount of protection Is
necessary. OF the Republicans the only confessed
high protectionist is Representative Fordney' OF
Michigan If there is any schedule which he can
conceive should be lower. even tri1e. 1t has not
made itself apparent during the hearings Ills
questions have been always redundant Win PIo-
phetic warnings about 'smokeless chimneys' ana
often into protection Reproduction speeches.
In fact. it has been suggested that he ana ReP-
resentative Pou be paired in the voting as one
seems as irrevocably inclined to decrease every
duty the other demands an increase.
Representative Dalzell is undoubtedly an eN-
thought that he would probably like to go bit
further along certain lines than the Republican
platform allows but it is felt that his influence VIII
not be so great in tariff matters as 1t mas Deeh
heretofore and as of his Republican associates
said yesterday. You can reason with Dalzeil
Representative Bonynge of Colorado, Is s2ne-
thing of an unknown quantity. He VIII no oouot
favor prohibitive protection on beet sugar. hldes
and possibly steel, Colorado has become an I'M
portant factor in the last named industry; but his
tn, Com
gressfve type who will no doubt revise where re-
vision seems necessary. The other Repuohcan
members have shown strong tendencies toward
downward revision, and 1t is certain that they are
ali independent spirits. who will not hesitate 70
aIIv themselves with the Democrats in supporting
great reductions II they believe the evidence war
rants them.
PAYNE AN EXCELLENT CHAIRMAN.
One thing is certain-everybody who has seen
the committee in action and kept In close touch
with it during the hearings beheVes ula' 80 ',I
sentative Payne is excellent chairman OF Juul-
cial tenperament, who knows more about the teen
meal side Of the tariff than any Of the other mem
hers 1t is extremely doubtful If Representative
PAYNE desires TO dominate the committee but II
he tried TO do So he would probably be strongly
opposed by Representative Hi, of Connecticut
who has always been bellgerenti by Representa-
tive Calderhead. who has repeatedly dehed lhe
House leaders; by Representative CrumpacKer' VINO
has preached radical downward revision during his
asst two campaigns and by Representatives Gaines
and Iongworth, two of Mr.. Tafts closest FRIENDS.
Then too there is Representative Bouten. OF Hi
nois. who has pledged himself TO the ultimate con-
sumner: Representative Mccall, of Massachusetts
who is known one OF the most lhuepetiuen'
thinkers IN Congress, and Representative NeednaIn
of California who is ardent revtsionist
Representative Payne himself has many times
declared that he believes there are many scheduIes
in the Dingley bill which stand IN heeC Oh IeuuC
tion and he has announced that he VIII 90 MS
share toward looping off the unnecessary duties.
He IS known to be Of the opinion that really good
tariff bill is one of the rarites of American le6ts
lation and It is probable that he also taxes INTO
consideration that his attached TO an equlta-
r1a r,essure would mean q lasting monument TO
his record in public life He has frequently pointed
ont the many sides to be considered IN tarin re-
vision and some of the dangers which must at
tend r. and for these reasons he has made every
orfort n procure and publish all possible evidence,
so that the country at large may see the motives
which actlIate the committee IN all its decisions