Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-16
WORK FOR EXTRA SESSION
Wants Congress to Create Permanent
Commission and Go Home.
HE SAYS TAFT IS WITH HIM
Would Have Lawmakers Make Only
Imperative Changes in Duties and
Leave Rest to Delegated Body.

4
LIS, Ind. February 16.-The first ma
tional tariff convention. called to arouse
national interest in the appointment of a
permanent tariff commission, convened in
Indianapolis today.
| Forty-two states were represented by
! delegates. who in turn were the repre-
sentatives Of states, large commercial
bodies and political organizations desir-
GUS of a revision of the tariff on a
! scientific basis
]. w. Van Cleave of ST. Louis. president
of the National Association Of Manu-
facthrers. one of the earliest arrivals. was
loudly cheered as he took seat on the
platform and again greeted as a few
| minutes later he took the gavel as perma-
nent chairman of the convention.
Greetings to the delegates were given
| by Gov. Marshall and Mayor Bookwalter
After the reports of committees were re-
ceived Mr.. Van Cleave was chosen with
out opposition as the permanent chair
| man.
Mr.. Van Cleave's Address.
Mr.. Van Cleave said in part:
I'VE are here to give concrete express
sion to the demand of the business men OF
the country for the establishment of a
permanent. non-partisan. impartial tariff
commission to gather the facts and to
frame the report on which Congress can
base the tariff adjustments which are
necessary from time to time. I am glad
to tell you that In vocing this demand
President-elect Taft stands with us.
Bear In mind always that we are not
discussing lowering or raising any par
ticular schedules. In the work of revis-
Ion two things ought to be kept in mind
protection for all the producers who need
any protection, and revenue for the gov
ernment.
These things are not necessarily an
tagonistic. An intelligent tariff adjust
ment would furnish both. Therefore, free
| traders and ultra protectionsts are
equally interested in getting this sort of
an adjustment.
by our present tariff framing machin-
cry We cannot make this sort Of an
adjustment of the schedules because
Like mankind in general most persons
consulted by the ways and means COM
n1ittee In framing tariff measures are
selfish, and thus are biased in the inter
est OF their own industry.
'The committee lacks the knowledge to
enable 1t to detect extravaganza or dis
tortion In the witnesses' statements.
Even II the committee had the knowl-
edge, 1t lacks the time to make the in
quiry on which II could correct them.
THE committee is partisan, as 1t always
and necessarily is, under democratic as
| we'll as under republican sway.
System Is Wrong.
1T is the system of tariff framing and
not the individual members of the ways
and means committee of Congress that
is to blame. But, individually and COL
lectively. Congress will be TO blame unless
1t abolishes the system and gives us the
one which is proposed by the great busi-
ness organizations of the country.
I'VE, as the representatives of the busi-
and the south, are here today to give
practical voice to this demand. And
while here we are likely to say and do
things which will constrain Congress to
listen and to heed.
In no important operation would any
great business enterprise proceed in the
haphaZard manner which Congress fol-
lows in revising the tariff. And yet the
United States government is the biggest
and wealthiest corporation in the world.
While reforms. improvements and new
departures are the order of the day in all
other human activities. Congress- in the
important work of framing tariff clings
to the old landmarks. The rolling years
teach 1t nothing. In the preliminary work
of putting the tariff bill into shape Mr.
Payne and his associates are making no
visible change in the methods followed by
Mr.. Wilson, in the democratic act Of 1S94
or Mr. Morrill, in the first republican
tariff measure. that of 1851.
Differences of Opinion.
II will give some reasons why change
in the collection of facts to be used by our
tariff trainers is imperative.
The carded wool people say that spe-
cific duties are unjust to them. and want
ad valorem rates. On the same goods the
worsted manufacturers take directly op-
posite ground.
THE New England shoe manufacturers
want free hides. Most of the western shoe
men favor the retention of the duty. Some
of the cattle men want the duties on hides
to be advanced.
Like Emergencies are seen among the
manufacturers of chemicals, automobiles.
and in many other lines of trade. Mr..
Carnegie says that steel manufacturers
could stand free trade. Mr.. Schwab says
the steel men need more protection than
ever
WHO is to decide equitably between
these interested disputants? The ways
and means committee lacks the mental
equipment and the impartiality to do this
Nor can Congress do 1t. Each of these
contending parties presents mass of
matter to sustain its side. most of which
is technical, and thus beyond the under
standing of the committee. of Congress.
and Of the average layman.
"A board Of disintereSted men OF large
experience in trade, such as this conven-
ton proposes. could adjust all these di-
vergencies. They would have the time.
the patience and the impartality to look
| at the controverted points from all sides.
| They would eliminate the non-essentials,
| reconcile the variances. They would bring
| a settlement which would be fair enough
| TO all interests to command the assent
| of Congress and the country.
Here let me give few words to some
| of the criticisms on the commission. A
| few of the objectors say that the work
| of President Arthurs commission of 1882
was disregarded by Congress. This is
| not true. The tariff of 1853 was largely
| based on the commissions recommends
| tions. And. on the whole, that was the
| best balanced tariff which the country
| has seen In a generation.
| President Taft will have more material
| from which to select q commission than
| Mr.. Arthur had. The one which We ask
| will be permanent. Thus 1t can do better
| work than Arthur's did.
No Disturbance Of Trade.
| Some of our critics say that a perma-
\ nent tariff commission would keep trade
constantly disturbed. Germany and France
| have permanent commissions. Has any
of our critics ever heard or read that the
| recommendations of those commissioners