East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1909-12-07
EIGHT PAGES.

OF the subordinate employees In the
weighing department were directly
concerned, and in which the beneflci-
aries were the American Sugar Re-
| flnig company and others
'The frauds consisted In the pay
ments of duty on underweights OF
sugar The government has recov-
cred from the American Sugar Re-
filming company all that 1t Is shown to
have been defrauded of. The sum was
recovered by civil suit against the
beneficiary of the fraud, but there was
an express reservation in the contract
OF settlement by which the settlement
should not interfere with or prevent
the criminal prosecution OF every one
who was found to be subject to the
same
criminal prosecutions are now pro-
ceeding against number of the gov
ernment officers. The treasury de-
partment and the department of JUS
tce are eXerting every effort TO dis
cover all the wrongdoers. including
the officers and employees of the COM
panies who have been privy to the
frauds. it would seem to me that an
Investigation of the frauds by the con-
gress at the present, pending the prob
ing by the treasury department and
the department Of justice, as propos-
ed, might by giving immunity and
otherwise prove an embarrassment la
securing conviction of the guilty par
ties
No Fear of Tariff War.
"Two features of the new tariff act
call for special reference. BY virtue
of the clause known as the maximum
and minimum clause. 1t is the duty
ot the executive to consider the laws
and practices OF other countries with
reference to the importation into
those countries of the products and
merchandise OF the United States and
| T. the executive finds such laws and
practices not to he unduly dlscrimina-
tory against the United States the
minimum duties provided in. the bill
are to go into force. Unless the
president makes such a finding. then
the maximum duties provided in the
bill, that is. an increase of % per cent
ad valorem over the minimum du-
ties. are to be IN force. Fear has been
expressed that this power conferred
and duty imposed on the executive.
Is likely to lead to a tariff war.
beg to express the hope and belief that
no such results need be anticipated.
THE new tariff law enables me to
appoint a tariff board to assist me In
! Al -,
state. in the administration OF tho
minimum and maximum clause Of the
act and also to assist officers of the
government in the administration OF
the entire law. An examination OF
/ the law and an understanding OF the
nature OF the facts which should he
/ considered in discharging the func-
| tions imposed upon the executive show
/ I have power to direct the tariff
board TO make comparative glossary
and encyclopedia OF the terms used
| and articles embraced in the tariff
and secure Information as to the cost
/ OF production OF such goods in this
country and the cost Of their produc-
| tion In foreign countries have there
/ fore. appointed tariff board con-
Isisting Of three members and have d.
rected them to perform all the duties
above described.
Reduction in Estimates.
! "In the interest Of economy and be
cause of the prospect Of a deficit I
| have required n reduction in tine es-
/ Inmates Of the war department for
/ the coming fiscal year, which brings
| the total estimates down to an amount
| forty five millions less than the cor
responding estimates for last year.
| This could only be accomplished by
cutting off projects and suspendins
! for the period Of one year all pro-
gress in military matters. For the
same reason. have directed that the
army shah not be recruited up to It's
present authorized strength. These
measures can hardly be more than
Itcmporary--to last until our revenues
are in better condition and until tho
! whole question Of the expedicncy of
adopting a definite military policy can
sure that the interests of the military
establishments are seriously in need
Of careful consideration by congress.
THE military and naval joint board
! have unanimously agreed that it would
be unwse to make the large expendi-
! lures which at one time were contem-