New-York tribune., 1908-11-06
NEW TARIFF LAW
BY JULY |, 1909
PRELIMINARY WORK WELL
UNDER WAY.
Progress AEready Made By Commit
tees Regarded as Assuring Prompt
4ction in Congress.
TF-ou The Tribune Bureau. ]

washington, NOV. "a new IaTln law VIII he
enacted in tine to go into effect on the first day
OF July next This is TIE Interpretation put on
the promptness and vigor with which the leaders
of the legislative programme preliminary TO re-
vision Of the tariff have taken hold of that sub
sect. and is regarded in Washington as the most
inspiring manifestation following the triumphant
election of William H Taft and strongly Re
publican Congress The progressive spirit be
hind the call issued by Chairman Payne Of the
Wavs and Means Committee of the House Of
Representatives for hearings on the various
schedules. and printed in The Tribune this
morning. was extremely gratifying to official
circles here, and the hope is generally expressed
that this spirit viii permeate all branches Of the
legislative and executive departments that are
20 have part in the great work to be per
formed
II is not toe much 70 say that if all parties in
both houses Of Congress display the same
promptness in getting the tariff revision pro-
gran1rne through has been shown by the
committees of Congress in the recess, ii would
be possible TO perfect a revision OF the tariff
At the short session Of Congress this winter and
thereby relieve the country from the necessity
Of q special session after Mr.. Taft is inaugu-
rated. ana furnish to the business interests Of
-be country immediate assurance that the
doubts and difficulties incident TO delay in ad-
justing new rates Of complex tariff schedules
would be reduced 10 q minimum. 10 the great
advantage OF capital and labor in the productive
industries Note is taken Of the fact. made clear
by Chairman Payne that the period 10 be given
for hearings on the various schedules Of the new
tariff Iaw-nameIy. from November 10 to De
cen1ber Ais double the length OF time given for
such hearings in former times Of tariff law max
irg. This means that the Ways and Means
Committee should be able 70 perfect bill early
IN the December session The only doubt about
the feasibility Of completing the entire work in
both houses before March 4 arises from the fact
that. even after the hearings by the House com
rnittee are completed some time must be spent
in adjusting the complex items Of the schedules
20 Z nice balance. and at the same time provid-
ing the necessary revenue Then the Senate
Committee on Finance must go over the subject,
which requires more time II is plain, however,
that 50 much work has been accomplished in
the summer by the Congress committees and the
bureaus of the executive departments having
connection with tariff matters that practically
everything should be ready for a short special
session when II is called
GREAT SAVING IN TINE.
The significance Of this saving in time is that
It insures the praCteability Of getting through
the new revised tariff in good time before the
beginning Of the next fiscal year This is i'm
rortant. not only in regard 10 the revenues, but
from considerations affecting the duh season Of
must be provided FOR in advance.
Il IS the desire Of all the leaders Of the ad-
r7linistration and Of Congress. as it IS Of the
next President. that the tariff revision problem
shall be disposed Of at the earliest possible day
= Il were not for the time to be consumed n
-ehearings and debate over the multtudinous
details Of the schedules. il would be possible 10
get new bill through in a regular session Of
seventy days. as well passing the supply
bills
But the most significant and valuable sug-
eestion associated with the prompt advance
step taken by Chairman Payne's committee -
that IL means d gain Of two three months
over what vas possible to be accomplished
when the tariff vas last revised in the special
session Of Congress called by President NcKin- .
ley II March 1891 Il viii be remembered that
thar revision followed the incoming Of a new
Republican administration and Congress The 4
Democrats mad been in power in all branches
and when the new Republican Congress elect .
Cd in 1895 was called in special session in
March 1897. il was without any preparation in .
advance. no hearings having been held. and a
complete new bin had 10 he made. The result
was that II required nearly Ave months To com
rlete the new Law and get il before the Presi-
dent fo- his signature. which was affixed IN
TuIv - All these preliminary steps are TO be
taken this winter. and with special session
sdoptinz z plan which first introduced nv
Shaker Reed in March. 1897. for appointing
none of the House committees except that on
yysvs and Means the work is centred upon the
cF7ief business Of the session. and new tariff
uiIl be prepared in possibly thirty or at least
within sixty days. which would place it on the
statute books well before the beginning of the
new fiscal year. July !. 1903
MUCH ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED.
Further evidence Of the progressive spirit
manifested in advancing the tariff revision
movement is given by the Finance Committee
% the Senate II preparing in advance for con- .
siderstion this winter Of the details Of the pro-
posed tariff bill Subcommittee have been at
work part OF the summer and vast amount OF
detail work has been accomplished with the aid
Of the Treasury experts and the officials Of
the Board Of General Appraisers in New York .
Heretofore Il has been the custom Of the Finance
Committee 10 co little II any. work the tariff
bin until the measure has passed the House.
Under such circumstances tedious delay was
inevitable.
One Of the advantages Of the work accom- +
ZION 70 committeeman regarding the points
which gre 20 be involved in the proposition for
q maximum and a minimum tariff law. which
hr Paynes announcement regarding the hear
Ines irsures in the revision programme There
are assurances that Secretary Cortelyou and
Chairman AIdrfch Of the Finance Committee and
Payne OF The WAYS and Means Committee are
working fl full accord in this movement for
prompt enactment