Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-08-13
NEWS FROM
WASHINGTON

The Payne tariff bill, after twenty
weeks CT almost continuous debate,
is finally on the statue books and
the Dingley law has passed into his
tory. Final action ON the bill was
taken by the Senate on Thursday
afternoon, August 6th, and within
three hours after the passage of the
measure by the upper house, the Pres
ident affixed his signature and the
and the first session of the Sixty-first
Congress adjourned sine die. The
bill went into effect that night at mid
night After signing the piR the
President made a statement of his
views, saying; 81 have signed the
Payne tariff bill because / believe it
10 be the result of a sincere effort on
the part Of the Republican party to
make a downward revision and 10
comply with the promises of the
platform as they have been generally
understood and as interpreted them
in the campaign before election.
President Taft frankly admits that he
is not wholly satisfied with the meas
ure, saying; "The bill is not a perfect
bill or complete compliance with
the promises made, strictly inter
preted, but a fulfilment free FRI m
criticism IN respect to a subject mat.
ter involving many schedules ard
thousands of articles could not be ex-
pected". There have been a great
number of real decreases in rates, and
they constitute a sufficient amount to
justify the statement that this bill
is a substantial downward revision
and a reduction of excessive rates.
To the many who put their faith
in tariff commission the Presidents
words ON that subject will prove an
an occasion of qualification for he
says that the provision contained in
the maximum and minimum section
gives him "a wide latitude for the
acquisition, under circumstances
favorable to its truth of information
in respect to the price and cost Of pro-
duction of goods at home and abroad,
which will throw much light on the
operation OF the present tariff and be
of primary Importance As officially
collected date upon which future Ex.
ecutive and Executive recommenda
tions may be based.
Some of the leaders in Congress
sought to emasculate the tariff pro-
vision commission, asis Clearly dem.
onstrated by the statement of SeDator
bale in debate that under the pro
visions the President would have no
power to investigate costs of product.
ion at home or abroad. The assurance
ofso able lawyer as President Taft
that the provision as enacted affords
HIM wide latitude to secure just such
information is. therefore, most reassur
ing to a majority of the people, even
though it may greatly contribute to
the discomfiturt of Mr.. Hale.
The President purposes to appoint
his commission as soon as he can find
the right men, For a time the com.
mission will doubtless be fully occu
pied securing the information necess.
ary to the intelligent enforcement of
the maximum and minimum provis
ion, but even in connection with
that work much valuable data will
be secured and Immediately that
phase Of the work is completed the
commission will turn its attention to
the determination of costs of product
ion at home. There is one way in
which the Eeactionaries in Congress,
men like Speaker Cannon, can defeat
the purpose of the President and that
is by refusing to appropriate the funds
necessary TO pay the salaries and ex-
penses Of the commission; but If the
people will do their part and Insist
that this course shall not be pursued,
the President will have full power 70
make these all importtnt investiga.
tiOns.
Ants In Corn