Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-02-04
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.

The Republicans of North Dakota
have not hesitated to declare that they
are in favor of revision of the tariff
They are in favor of it now because
there are schedules that ought to have
been revised long ago and it is not the
policy of the Republican party to pro-
crastinate. The Republican party has
always prided itself in being the party
of progress and a progressive party will
not wait until the wrong time to do the
right thing. Tariff for revenue and for
protection to American industries is a
piece of Republican craftsmanship. A
revision of the tariff and the abandon
ing of protection where it is no longer
needed should be undertaken by the
7. friends of the protective system. We
should not wait until the enemy of the
tariff is in the saddle. :.
The creation by congress of perma-
nent, non-partisan tariff commission
to investigate tariff schedules and re-
port its findings and recommendations
to that body would seem to be wise
procedure. While we may all agree
that it is wise to revise the tariff the
problem is so intricate we agree only
on the abstract proposition.
In this connection the aims and pur-
pose of the tariff commission conWen-
ton to be held in indianapolis on the
10th inst, as set forth by President
James Van Cleve of, the National Asso-
citation of Manufacturers, are of inter-
est, Mr.. Van Cleve says: .....
The National Tariff Commission con-
yention,, which is to meet in Indianap-
oils, beginning on February Is, is of
especial importance to the National
Association of Manufacturers and to
business men in general throughout the
country, for more than one reason.
It will be the first national gather
ing ever held for the express purpose
of promoting the movement for COM
prehensive, scientific tariff revision
It has called out from President
Roosevelt an expression in favor Of a
tariff commission.
And, what is of more direct conse-
quence, it has drawn out a note in
favor of the commission from President
elect Taft, who will have to deal with
it as practical proposition in the ex-
ira session of congress, which he will
call in March.
Manufacturers and other producers
who need protection at all ought to get
what is required to give them fair
profit, and at the same time to guard
against all exigencies like trade dis
turbances, abroad, which might cut
prices of foreign good down to abnor-
mally 10y figures, land thus expose our
home producers to destructive compe-
tition. We need this in the interest of
our workers, and thus of the general
public, as we'll as in the interest of the
employers. r.
Then. there is the revenue side to
consider. The government needs cash
just as much as the manufacturers re-
quire protection. Thus far in the fiscal
year the governments income has fall
len nearly $50, 600, 900 short of meet.
ing its outgo. The shortage will prob
ably be in the neighborhood of $780,
900. 900 by. the end of the year on June
+ 3d., FIVE months hence, as compared
with shortage Of $50, ZOO, 900 in the
year which ended last June.
Il Very careful study of the labor and
general trade conditions, abroad and at
home, will have to be made by capable,
impartial men so as to ascertain the
relative cost of production in the var.
ious countries, and alsos the volume OF
the output which they could contribute
to the foreign commerce Of the world.
This viii be necessary for purposes Of
revenue as we'll as IN t1e interest of
protection. Free traders are just as
anxiousFto get this information as are
the champions OF the tariff and they
want # straight. VI. .s &;s.5
The chances to get a tariff commits
sion in the extra session Of congress Of
1900 are better than they seemed to be
few months il, advance Of the enact
rled1t Of the law which gave the co,irl--5
try the commission which was appoint-
ed ID 1852, whose Investigations were
lie basis Oh which congress shaped the