New-York tribune., 1908-11-10
PFVTSTNG THE TARIFF.

An extra session of Congress after March T.
1909. for the purpose of revising the tariff IS
one of the definite promises of the incoming ad-
ministration Both the Senate Finance Commit
Tee and the Ways and Means Committee of the
House have been authorized TO collect data to De
Used In reshaping the schedules, and much pre-
liminary work can be done by those committees
at the approaching short session. By preparing I'D
advance for the revision Congress can prob
ably remodel the tariff in session of two or
three months. and the business world will not
have 10 wait unduly to adjust itself 10 new
conditions in commerce and domestic produc-
ton. Moreover the new schedules will have
more than a years trial before they can be
made an issue in partisan politics.
The necessity fer revision has been long ap-
parent Since the Dingley law was signed in
1897 the United States has made enormous
progress both as a producer and manufacturer
and as a purchaser and seller IN the worlds
markets. Conditions are vastly different and
a new tariff will have to be framed with view
not only to readjusting the protection given to
home industry. but also to enlarglng the scope
of our foreign trade and equpping this country
10 meet the determinations and enjoy the con-
cessfons now so conspicuous a feature in inter
national exchanges In a word, the new tariff
must be scientifically drawn, and with view
sectional interests.
1t has been a misfortune that in the making Of
nearly all our tariffs sectional anita gonisms have
PLAYED a conspicuous role. The Democratic
party, largely controlled in its tariff policy by
the agricultural South. fought to delay the In
dustriaI growth of the North. because 1t pre-
ferred to sell its cotton in Europe and take in
exchange manufactured goods at low duties,
and because it feared to build up free labor
system which In the end would crush out slav-
erv. After the war it clung to the old notion,
and bv making combination with the import
ing interests in the North prolonged the sec
tional contest. 1t was not until manufacturing
had spread through the Middle West and
through the South itself that the old division
disappeared and the country was left in q posi-
ton TO deal with the tariff as business prob
lem and settle 1t on the basis Of national ad-
vantage and interest.
There is a better chance now than ever TO ta ke
the tariff out Of potics-certainly out of sec
tional politics. All parts of the country are
beginning TO see that what helps one eventually
helps ali and that no part should try TO beneht
at the expense Of the others. We need tariff
which will continue an adequate degree of pro
lection TO all industries really threatened by
foreign competition. Not all, of course, are
So threatened We need also TO have two scales
of duties for use in negotiations with countries
which have maximum and minimum scales and
expect to exchange fayOrs Tor faYors- We should
have tariff which section Of the country
will consider oppressive or discriminatory and
continue to agitate against. The Taft admin
jStration will come into power with the good
will and support of almost the entire nation 1t
ought 10 be possible. therefore, for the next
Congress TO make tariff bill fair TO all and
advantageous IN a truly national sense. Ihe
times are ripe for scientific, nOn-partisan tariff
LEGISLATION