Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-03-03
that Tarin Commission.

The demands of the Manufacturers
Association, the National Grange and
other associations made upon the Presi-
dent and Congress for a tariff commits
sion is sure prelude to tariff revision,
and indicates that it cannot be much
longer delayed The fact, however,
that these associations have Endorsed
the Republican plan for tariff COM
mission shows that they are not prac-
teal politicians and have allowed them
selves to be inveigled into the procras-
tinating commission plan, which is put
forward merely for delay. Yet the fact
that a great majority Of the manufac-
turers of the country want the tariff
revised is enough to make torrents of
sweat pour from the standpatters and
shows the trusts and other tariff pro-
tected industries that they will have
to put their houses In order for an era
of legitimate business. Eventually the
tariff profits they have wrung from the
plundered people by virtue of protec-
ton will. at least, be greatly de-
creased If not abolished.
The creation of tariff commission
will not bring tariff reform. but the
discussion about it win bring to popu-
lar attention the fact that so many of
the lesser benefciaries of the tariff are
demanding free raw material, free coal,
free hides free wool, free steel, free
lumber, free print paper, free wood
pulp and that some are willing to fore
go the tariff tax that prevents their
particular industry. if they can in re-
turn get the materials they need free
of tariff duty.
Former Governor Douglas, OF Massa-
chusetts, the largest manufacturer Of
boots and shoes in the United States,
In a speech he made in his campaign
for governor in 1904, said: Speaking
for myself, would gladly give up the
duty of % per cent on shoes to obtain
free raw materials" But l am not
alone in these views, for 311 out of 375
important manufacturers of boots and
shoes in New England declared in IA
vor Of giving up the duty on shoes If
hides were made free.
But Governor Douglas is Demo-
crat and believes In tariff reform and
a free field and no favor. In that same
speech he gave statistics Of the shoe in
dustry in Massachusetts and how the
tariff handicapped it by the tariff duty
on hides and showed how the foreign
manufacturer had the benefit of buying
American leather free of duty and,
therefore, at lesser price than he and
other manufacturers in the United
States have to pay.
Governor Douglas further said:
Nearly all of this tariff tax Con hides)
is supposed TO go to the beef end sole
leather trust by virtue OF the 20 per
cent duty in leather. Some of the mem
bers of the beef trust have become
large tanners of hides in order that
they may get the full benefit of these
duties 1t is doubtful if the prices of
cattle are affected in the least by the
duty on hides"
There Is evidently no need for tar
if commission to enlighten Governor
Douglas and his brother manufacturers
as to the reform of the tariff they need.
What they most desire IS quick action
instead of representation, and the tar
iff commission seems intended by tie
Republicans that propose 1t to be sop
to the public to try and make them
believe their Representatives in Con-
gress favor tariff reform
Mr.. Payne, the chairman of the com
mittee on ways and means, in reply
ing to the demand of the Manufacture
ers' Association, plainly told them they
would have to wait, even for a COM
mission, until after election When it
comes to pinning down the Republican
leaders to a promise for tariff reform
the most they will ever promise is that
latter election" they will think about
it. Fancy, says one of these patriots,
a tariff commission in session during a
presidential campaign and imagine tie
consequences to the Republican party.