The Washington herald., 1908-02-03

hardest blow in the history Of tariff agl-
-ation and discussion this week.
A little group of men, representing the
main strength OF United States manu-
factureTs and benefciaries of the high
protective schedules, arrived az the New
Willard, bent upon forcing through legis-
ation by which thorough, sane revision
Of the tariff Will be secured.
These men, backed by 100000 voters,
of the biggest msnufae-
turers' organizations in the country. have
come into the open, declared themselves
the wrongful gamers by an unjust tariff.
and announce their determination to
force Congress to take the action neces-
sary to bring about an ethical readjust-
ment OF the tariff schedules.
These representatives Of the manufac-
turing interests frankly admit that under
the present tariff laws millions OF dollars
have virtually been taken by themselves
from the pockets of the American public.
and poured into their Golfers
They Call II Graft.
This money. they openly assert, Is en-
tlrely apart from the profit legitimately
accruing through the enforcement Of a
fair protective tariff. They the benef-
Charles themselves. call it graft and de-
clare they no longer wish TO profit at the
expense Of the American public
Hearty support is given President
Roosevelt and Senator Beveridge in their
efforts to secure the Congressional ap-
pointment Of a tariff commission, under
the terms Of the bill recently introduced
by the Senator from Indiana. In fact.
II is TO influence Congress to appoint
such a commission that they have come
TO Washington.
These manufacturer do not claim tD
be moved by a spirit of altruism. They
say the movement for tariff revision has
become so widespread that there is dan
ger Of it becoming a party issue in the
national campaign. and as stanch pTotec-
tionlsts. and. for the most part, Repub-
Iicans. they want 20 see the tariff revised
by a friendly hand. and not through the
strokes OF the AK Of TadiCalism.
The leader OF the movement is James
". Van Cleve. OF ST. Louis. president
Of the National Association of Manufac-
turers. with him are about thirty leaders
and representatives Of the big associations
Of manufacturers.
BY their admission that the present
tariff schedules admit Of graft OF the
most extensive pattern, the maaufactur-
eys and Representatives of some OF the
biggest Industries in America. who are
backing this movement, expect 70 bring
about the complete overthrow of the
stsudpatters.
When. they say. q great majority OF
those interests, enriched by unjust tar
ifs. band together AND confess the wrong
that has been done the American peO-
pie through the present tariff schedules
what argument against sane revision
OF the tariff can be found by the stand
patters in Congress and the huge pro-
tected interests that have not as yet
signlfed their willingness TO join tho
movement?
President Van CIeve Talks.
President Van CIeve summed I'd t1e
position Of the manufacturers in an in.
terview al the New Willard last night
as follows.
I'VE are urging the appointment Of a
tariff commi issiou, not as revlsi0nists. but
as stanch protectionists L is my belief
and that OF the National Association Of
Manufacturers and the large number o.
organizations which indorse the i'm
mediate appointment OF commission
that such "A commission is absolutely
necessary in order TO protect the business
interests Of the country from the harm
fUl effects OF a continued partisan ag
tation for tariff revision during the cam
paign.
We are I'm hearty accord with The
President IN believing that all tariff rate!
should be adjusted on the basis Of diff
ference in cost Of production here anC
abroad and We also believe that thes,
rates should be adjusted with a libera
allowance IN addition in favor OF tin
American producer.
If anybody should tell me that tn
standpatters are I'm the pay Of any o
the American free trade leagues, tina
they are being subsidized by the Cobdel
Club or that they are receiving mOnel
from any other societies. at home o
abroad, which are trying 10 break dow
the American protective system, l shoul,
say he was mistaken.
Words Are Fantastic.
And yet / am compelled TO conced
that a person who would make such
charge could frame a strong case L
back Il UP. Many Of the standpatters
words and acts are so fantastic that the.
| lend themselves admirably to the accuse
ton that their authors are trying Z
cast ridicule on the policy which the
pretend to defend.
Here are some Of the things which tn
masses Of the sane, consistent. and per
sistent American protectionists are ask
! ing in 1905:
/ why do the Boston and the Philadel
| phia coteries Of reactionaries object t
! the establishment Of a commission to &
over the tariff. and to mark. up or dowr
such duties as need adjustment in tn
! facts OF the situation at this time?'
Do they see that graft lies in ambush
/ in spots here and there, in the schedules
Are they afraid that the commissio
will drag this graft out into the sun
! ight?'
Do they fear that surrender Of Jhi
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