Evening star., 1909-07-07
Comment by NewIands on
Congressional Tariff Work.
DECLARES PLANK IGNORED
Asserts That Senate Revision Has
Been Upward.
EXPECTATIONS OF CONFERENCE
Sees Opportunity for Little Relief.
Would Take Matter From
Politics.

Speaking on the evolution of the tarlfr
schedule today Senator NeWlands saio
in addressing the Senate:
NO material changes can now be maze
in the bill and the only question before us
is whether we may not. by some general
provisions, plant the seed Of a rational
tariff system, under which excessive tar
iff duties may be gradually reduced ana
the tariff taken out of politics
.'The Senate has now been in contin-
uous session for ninety days over these
tariff schedules, but the legislation thus
far shaped Is almost barren of results
in accomplishing what the President
doubtless has in view-an honest revision
of the tariff, following the rule laid down
by the republican platform. The revision
of the Senate has doubtless been upward
rather than downward, and the evils OF
excessive tariff duties have been increas-
ed rather than diminished.
LAS the Senate has made practically nc
reductions, all that conference could &C.
complish would be acquiescence in the
moderate reductions Of the Payne bill
so that conference presents an oppor-
tunity for little relief and the only re-
naming expedient is veto of the bill.
The tariff is not a piece Of original
legislation. but a measure intended to
correct the abuses of an existing law
1t would be difficult for the President to
accomplish what he desires by veto, un-
less he wishes to record his condemnation
Of party breach OF faith. and the only
alternative will be to accept the bill and
press on later for ameliorative leglsla-
ton The President would have to make
repeated recommendations, 10 organize
public opinion and to make determined
fight for a change in the organization OF
hn ,nl, O.
bly, absorb the best energies of the Pres
ident during his entire term Of Office and
prevent him from taking UP effectually
various other reforms relative to banking
transportation and trusts and combina-
tions, to which he doubtless desires &c
address himself later on. And even should
he take this course he will find himself
opposed, as President Roosevelt was. by
the republican organization in the Sen
ate, whose prestige would be increased
by its success in the present issue.
Would Take It From Politics.
ut is not my province to proffer advice
to the republican party; but l am deeply
solicitous that our action here, even
though it may not meet the just expec-
tations of the country, shall contain the
seed of a rational tariff system, which
will gradually. by a process of evolution
eliminate the tariff from politics just as
IL
Of politics by the creation of the inter
state commerce commission.
Il feel assured that if the republican
rule were fairly applied, it would result
in a considerable reduction Of duties and
that much relief would come to the coun-
try from it; and / fell assured that if the
American people were satisfied that a
fair effort was being made to comply
with this rule, through some competent
tribunal organized by Congress. tarin
agitation would practically end.
Relations With Filipinos.
Il have contended against the aboli-
ton of duties on Filipino sugar, tobacco
and other products. upon the ground that
the effect would be to give the Philip.
pine Islands artificial prosperity The
Presidents recommendation however
made with the best OF motives and out
of solcitude for the welfare of the Fill
pino people, has carried, and all that car
be done is to ameliorate it's effects as
much as possible.
There can be no doubt that our policy
toward those islands If we proposed to
hold them for all time as subject terri
tory of the United States and our policy
If we contemplate ultimately a limited
autonomy under our protection, as sug.
gested by the senator from New York
should be quite different. l would sug-
gest that a solemn legislative utterance
senator from New York upon this floor
that we do not contemplate Incorporating
those islands as a part of the United
States or holding perpetual dominion
over them: that we hold them in trus,
for their own people and purpose at the
appropriate time in the future, to be de-
termined by US. to give them autonomy
as in the case Of Cuba. and that our pur.
pose Is to SO shape the government OF
those islands as to prepare the Filipinos
for self-government and uItimat tel,
yield the islands to the government OF
their people"