The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1908-02-29
OPPOSED TO REFORM
MEN URGING TARIFF COMMISSION
SHOW THEIR HANDS.
National Grange Evidently Is Being
Misrepresented in the Matter
Standpatters 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 passage
of the Beveridge bill to create a tariff
commission. President Van Cleaye ri
the Manufacturers association de-
clared: I'VE are urging the appoint
ment Of a tariff commission, not as re-
visionists, but as stanch protectionists.
It 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 op-
posed to real tariff revision and are
pushing the commission plan on pur-
pose to prevent tariff reform, or at all
events to postpone 1t. The National
Grange, which at it's 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 ana 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 &C
ton and use every influence at their
command to secure the carrying out
of the sentiments of these resolu-
tons"
There was no mention there Of a
prCcrastinating commission, but rather
for an immediate exhaustive and
thorough tariff revision"
The National Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturers' association was also repre-
sented amongst those who called upon
the president, and that they Lie 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, M of the board OF
directors of the National Association
of Manufacturers, to Gov. W. L..
Douglas Of Brockton, Mass, he said:
II write to ask that there be present
a representative of the shoe interest,
and as a matter of politics, l suggest
that he be not known particularly as a
Democrat. 1t is a business PROPOSE
ton and no room for party c%onsidera'
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 tarln re
former, and he replied through his
secretary that Il am quite sure the
governor is not in favor OF the ap'
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 In
New York World Of the 10th instant
which will thoroughly explain his pc
sition in the matter, and under sepa
rate cover I mail you a copy OF his
addresses and call your special atten
ton to his address to the president al
Washington while acting as chairman
of the committee of the National AS
ISOLATION of Boot and Shoe Manufac
turers."
All this shows how the question OF
tariff commission is being fostered by
the standpatters, 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 ant
the years consumed in deliberations
another commission could and probaDi!
would play into the hands of the stand
patters who now control congress.
FIGHTING "Honest Graft"