New-York tribune., 1909-05-09
THE NEED OF THE HOUR.

Same Interesting testimony as to the lack or
information which handicaps Congress IN laying
tariff duties intended 20 provide adequate but
not excessive protection was given the other
day on the floor of the Senate by one OF the
most alert and active members of the Senate
Finance Committee, the Hon. Porter J. McCum-
ber Of North Dakota. Mr. McCumber was ex-
plaininr why he differed some questions
from his colleagues on the Finance Committee
He suggested very sensibly that protectonlsts
might be entirely in accord in wishing 10 give
adequate protection on any article, but might
not agree as to what constituted a fair pro-
tective rate. The reason for this he said, was
that neither The Finance Committee nor the
Senate had on hand any satisfactory data for
guidance in fixing a reasonable rate AS has
been evident for some time past in tariff re-
visions the committees of Congress have had
TO work more or less in fhe dark, guessing
roughly at the measure of protection needed 10
overcome the differential in cost of production
here and abroad and to assure the domestic
manufacturer a stable business and reason
able profit.
To make an equitable tariff, applying the
declarations Of the last Republican national
platform precise information is needed. With
that information available Congress and the
country would not he at n loss in judging
whether the protection afforded by any given
tariff schedule was inadequate, adequate or
excessive. But Mr.. McCumber. who ought 10
know. frankly says that the facts needed 70
form a satisfactory judgment are missing. Here
is his testimony:
As a foundation for a perfect protective sys-
TEN in this country, we ought to be armed with
full information to comparative cost of pro-
ductjon of every article without and within this
country For the most part we have not such
go f,oeo+-a ,,S y,ras,1r,a IL one vYculd 90
through the eight ten thousand pages OF
House hearings he could pick up considerable
DIT Sc y
in an orderly, logical or accurate manner upon
this most important subject. As am forced to
act without the information which l would ike
10 have to aid me in the duty or hXlng rates
feel more than ever the necessity OF some COM
mission bureau whose duty it shall be to as
certain these facts every year and keep Con-
bgreSs informed upon them. 1 do not think we
need a commission to pass judgment on What
we should do Congress ts charged with the
duty of exercising the judgment. We should
have a commission bureau to furnish the
facts upon which the judgment could be based
1t is clear that we cannot have a rational,
scientific tariff applying economic principles
indorsed by the voters unless the cost condl-
tons which lie at the basis of the effort to com
pensate home industry are fully explored and
understood. The present method of tariff MAX
ing is a mere matching Of one eD pdTte state
ment as TO cost against another, each legislator
being inclined to accept the view advanced Dy
interests which have q telling influence in his
own state or district. When disputes arise
there is authority 10 invoke and no clear
rule to apply, and personal and political con-
siderations outweigh public and economic ones
What is most needed In tariff legislation is more
light. Congress can do a great public service by
establishing permanent tariff commission and
vesting it with power to examine witnesses and
TO send for papers. Industries which are helped
| by protection owe a duty TO the government.
They should make definite accounting Of the
benefits Of tariff protection. since the protection
is not given them primarily in their own inter
est but in the interest of the nation
The great commercial and industrial leaders
are beginning to see this The Manufacturers
Association has gone on record as strongly
| favoring a order in tariff legislation, and
we believe that an almost universal sentiment
! is expressed in the resolutions adopted last
week by the New York Chamber Of Com
merce. the closing paragraph of which says:
"It appears clear 10 your committee that the
"time has now arrived when should In our
Country approximate the system adopted by
"other enlightened commercial nations, and
should substitute for a haphazard policy of
| tariff construction based upon imperfect In
formation and influences exerted by special
Interests a scientific system based upon ac-
"curate and careful investigation Of existing
conditions underlying production