Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-28
WANTS TARIFF COMMISSION
VAN CLEAVE OPPOSES HOUSE
COMMITTEE METHODS.
Chairman Payne Declares That the
Question Is Observation-Disclosures
Invitation to Appear.

| JAMES w van Cleave, president of the
| National Association of Manufacturers
| has written to Chair-'rnu I'ayne of the
| ways and means commit &c declining to
! appear before the committee The letter
| crltlclses the methods pursued by the
| committee Mr.. Van Cleave writes that
| the present investigation is "wrong-rad:-
| lcally. absurdly, fatally wrong" and de-
clares that to appear before the commit
tee would be to acquiesce in the super
| fetal and unbusnesslke methods of in
vestigation.
Opposed to System Employed.
Il am aware" Mr. Van Cleave writes
that you are opposed TO the creation of
a permanent. expert, non-partisan tariff
commission such as we advocate Ours
is an honest difference of opinion. We
have carefully watched all the statements
that have been made by you and your
associates in recent years. and instead of
convincing us of the error of our ways
We are more than ever convinced tina
your present plans of gathering informal
ton on which the reimbursement is pro-
posed to be based Is WrOng-radically,
absurdly. fatally wrong. Remember tina.
we are not opposed to the men who are
making the present inquiry. but we are
opposed to the system We hold that it
VIII pc llHpoSSipfc LOT the cOInInlltee III
the limited time at its disposal and under
he influences which necessaril surround
1t to make an inquiry which can furnish
an adequate basis for any such tariff as
the country demands. no matter how good
the intentions of the committee may be.
Impartial Inquiry Desired
THE objections which have been raised
10 tariff Investigations by board of ex-
perts such as We recommend have been
numerous. We told that Congress
cannot and will not give up its preroga-
tives Of tariff legislation. Our answer is
that there is no intention Of giving to the
commission the power of fixing tariff
rates. Congress must do this. but it
should fix rates based upon the nvesti-
cations of an impartial board.
I'VE are told that a tariff commission is
not practical. How about the interstate
commerce commission and the many pub
lie utilities commissions appointed In
various parts of the country? Many of
these may be far from ideal but they
have brought great Improvements over
the conditions existing formerly. Why
has Germany been successful in fixing an
equitable and scientific tariff through the
aid of a commission? How about the tariff
commission in France?'
Irrelevant" Says Payne.
In his reply to Mr.. Van Cleave Chair
man Payne said:
The question of a tariff commission is
not before the committee at this time, and
hence 1 do not care to discuss that ques-
ton with you. l regret very much that
you are not willing to come before the
committee and place in their hands any
information which you may possess in
reference to the revision of the tariff. Be
that as it may, the present committee will
have more complete informatio at its
disposal than has any previous commit
tee even when the former tariff commits
sion reported in 1883. We are fully aware
that the bill reported from the committee
will be judged by the people, not in the
light or view of those wise prophets or
critics who are judging it in advance. but
in the light of what will be learned from
the bill itself and from an examination of
the material before the committee.
Invitation Still Open.
"Of course. if you have no information
at your disposal which would aid the com
mittee in the formation Of a bill l can
understand your refusal to appear. If you
have such information l cannot see why
you do not accept the invitation which
has been extended to you and which is
still held out to you should you recon-