Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-07-08
REVISING THE TARIFF.

The tariff bill now tefore the federal
Senate has reached an interesting stage.
It may be worth while to review the stu
alton bit.
The general fesliDg that the tariff need
ed revision from the rates fixed in the
Dingley act found common expression in
the platforms OF the two parties last year.
The matter had been pressing for action
even before that, but the Republican
party, taking the position that it would
be hazardous to attempt revision on the
eve Of a national election, postponed it
until afteFward, but promised an early re-
vision, with such modification Of rates as
due regard for the wage level and a rea-
sonable return to capital would permit.
The Democrats took like stand. Taft,
before election, promised to convene Con-
gress in special session Immediately on
his assumption Of office and have the
question settled and out OF the way so
that business could speedily adjust itself.
The House committee worked ahead and
promptly reported bill when the special
session assembled. With but short de-
bate, this bill passed the House. That
was the last heard OF it. The Senate
chucked ii out Of the window and pro-
ceeded to revise the tariff according to its
own notions. That was weeks ago. It
has been busy ever since, with the end
not yet IN sight. The House hill showed
disposition to follow the explicit and
implied promises OF the party and party
leaders and revise the tariff downward.
The Senate bill, as it emerged from the
committee on finance, is coat OF another
color, quite. There are good things
about it-improvements over the present
law, and even over the House bill, but
the trail OF the serpent plainly shows it,
self. The Senate tariff bill is a high
protectioDist measure, calculated to in
crease, rather than decrease, prices, and
add to, rather than diminish, the cost Of
living. At any rate, it is apparent that
results in the direction of a general seal
ing down OF duties will be negligible
As revenue producer, the Aldrich act
may do what is expected OF it, but the
public will not feel the hoped for relief, as
individuals and families.
The spectacle afforded BY the Senate is
illuminating, as showing the selfshness
and sordidness of men. Senator AS
party platform declares for a downward
revision of the tariff and he himself sub
scribes to it vigorously, but Senator AS
state produces iron, or lumber, or wool,
or hides, and while as q matter Of princi-
ple,he favors no duty or low duties on
these articles, yet, be he Democrat or Re-
publican, he places himself for & high
DUTY on the particular product of his sec
ton. Not only that, but he becomes so
interested in the matter that he solicits
the aid of others, finds himself urged to
help their interests in turn, aud generally
lands squarely on the high tariff side.
That is where he belongs, of course, after
taking the initial step.
But there has been lively opposition by
minority in the Senate-most of them
Western Republicans-who have acted
consistently in the light Of their under
standing of the party promises and the
public's expectations. They are beaten
on every alignment, but their reward will
come later. The eye Of the nation is on
this little game down at Washington and
it is pretty well understood the country
over.
President Taft, somewhat alarmed at
the clash and din of battle, and fearful
that the Aldrich act will not satisfy, has
put in an oar himself and proposes to add
q provision for two per cent annual tax
on the net earnings Of corporations. cal
culated to yield a revenue Of several mill