Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-02-27
OPPOSED TO REFORM
MEN URGING TARIFF COMMISSION
SHOW THEIR HANDS.
National Grange Evidently Is Being
Mlsrepresented In the Matter
st~andpatters at Work to
Block Any Changes.

Representatives of the National AS
ISOLATION Of Manufacturers, the Ma
tional Grange and numerous other ma
tional and local associations called on
President Roosevelt a few days ago
to urge him to recommend the passagel
of the Beveridge bill to create a tariff
commission. President Van Cleaye of
the Manufacturers association de-
clared: I'VE are urging the appoint
ment of a tariff commission, not as re-
~visionists, but as stanch protectionists.
1t Is my own belief and that of the
National Association of Manufacturers
and the large number of organizations.
which indorse the immediate appoint
ment of a commission that such a COM
mission is absolutely necessary in
order to protect the business interests.
of the country from the harmful eff
fects of a continued partisan agitation
for tariff revision during the CAM
paign."
If such is the purpose of these as
sociations, it would seem they are OPP
posed to real tariff revision n are.
pushing the commission plan on pur-
pose to prevent tariff reform, or at all
events to postpone it. The National
Grange, which at its last annual meet
ing declared in favor of tariff reform,
is evidently being misrepresented by
its officials when they join in this at
tempt to postpone reform, and the
great majority of the members of the
subordinate oranges throughout the
country should call them to account
and insist on the tariff reform program
adopted at the last meeting of the
National Grange: THAT we believe
that the general welfare of the country
demands an exhaustive and thorough
tariff revision, and that the tariff be!
removed from every article that is,
continuously being sold in foreign
markets cheaper than at home.
Resolved, That we urge upon the
members of the oranges throughout
the United States to take speedy ac-
ton and use every influence at their
command to secure the carrying out
of the sentiments of these resolu-
TONS"
The National Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturers' association was also repre-
sented amongst those who called upon
the president, and that they did not
represent the largest manufacturer
of boots and shoes in the United.
States any more than the grange Of
ficials represented the demands of the
members of the National Grange is
equally apparent. For in a letter from
Mr.. H. E. Miles, one of the board of
directors of the National Association
Of Manufacturers, to Gov. W.. l..
Douglas of Brockton, Mass, he said:
Il write to ask that there be present
a representative of the shoe interest.
and as a matter of politics, | suggest.
that he be not known particularly as a,
Democrat. 1t is a business PROPOSE
ton and no room for party considera-
ton of any kind. At the same time.
you know how some smart politician
might play upon the fact if there were
Democratic leaders among u.s."
But Gov. Douglas, although the
products of his factories are protected
by the tariff, is an ardent tariff re-
former, and he replied through his
secretary that Il am quite sure the
governor is not in favor of the APP
pointment Of a tariff commission. He
very much prefers the immediate re-
vision of the tariff and the elimination
of at least some of the schedules that
are admittedly farcical. l inclose you
the governors latest interview i'll
New York World of the 18th instant,
which will thoroughly explain his po-
sition in the matter, and under sepa-
rate cover | mail you a copy of his
addresses and call your special atten-
tion to his address to the president at
Washington while acting as chairman
of the committee of the National AS
sociation of Boot and Shoe Manufac-
turers.'
All this shows how the question of a
tariff commission is being fostered by
the s~tandpatters, with the evident in
tent of postponing tariff revision in
definitely, or, at least, to a more CON
venient season.
From the experience of what former
tariff commissions accomplished and
the years consumed in deliberations
another commission could and probably
would play into the hands of the stand
who now control congress.