New-York tribune., 1909-02-27
MIR. TAFTS TARIFF TALK
DIDN'T SAY DEPRESSION
DUE TO PRESENT BILL.
Business LaH Due Largely, He Said,
to Re1ision II gitatiOn-Perma-
neat Commission Later.

President-eIect Taft made vigorous protest
last night against what he said was an absolute
Misrepresentation in some afternoon newspapers
as 10 what he had said during the day in an
ewering questions regarding tariff revision
He had stated, he said. that the present busi-
ness depression was undoubtedly due in large
measure TO the fact that the tariff was to be
revised at an extra session of Congress, to meet
on March Is and that It was Of the highest i'm
portance that this work Of revision should not
be DELAYED, but executed with all possible dilt-
gence.
NJ Taft also said that he favored the idea Of
e permanent tariff commission the plan for
which should be worked out with deliberation
the duties of such q commission to be to make
g careful study Of the operation of the proposed
rev tariff law to the end that suggestions might
be made in the future which would tend 10 place
the whole question Of the tariff more GER
tain and scientific basis.
Upon this statement Mr.. Taft was made TO
ssy that the present tariff schedules were re-
sponsible for the present business depression
and that when they We're revised their own
parents would not know them, all Of which was
ampiihed at length and made positive by ap-
pearing 10 be q vigorous and enthusiastic state
nent.
Mr. Taft was perturbed over what he called
position in no way and held the same views he
had publicly announced during and since the
campaign.
The subject Of the tariff came up yesterday
because Of a call on MIR. Taft by J. w. Van
cleave. president Of the National Manufactur-
srs Association in which the subject of a tariff
commission was mentioned
President Van CIeave was accompanied by H.
z Miles Of Racine. Wis chairman of the tariff
.f,a 4
soeistion. They acting in their capacity
as part of a committee from the National Tariff
Commission to aid Congress in adjusting the
schedules
Mr Taft told MIR. Van Cleave that he desired
further information concerning a commission
OF tariff experts The present iull in industry,
Nj Taft said, was undoubtedly due TO impend-
irg tariff legislation, but he thought, with that
knowledge in view, Congress would finish its
deliberations al early date. possibly in June
Mr. Van Cleave said that the President-elect
had expressed his belief in tariff commission
20 consider changes from year TO year
Mr. Van Cleave said later that Mr.. Tafts well
known views on the tariff were accepted and
indorsed by the Manufacturers Association and
by the recent convention. Speaking about the
tariff Mr. Van Cleave said that the association
was not opposed to ad valorem rates, and that
in some instances the members favored maxi
mum and minimum rate.
he said that his association wanted to i'm
press the Presidenf-elect and the public with
the necessity of securing a tariff commission
which would study the question thoroughly and
which would give the country an honest and
intelligent tariff. instead of the one that has
been in force for the last forty years. Mr Van
cleave said he expected that the special session
Of Congress would adjourn before the middle o;
June
NOT ENTIRELY IN ACCORD