The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-15
JUDGE PARKER CAN
SEE NO HOPE IN
TARIFF SESSION
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CAN
plDATE SAYS MORALS HAVE
DEcAYEp UNDER SYSTEM OF
FAvoRINo SPECIAL INTERESTS

NEW YORK, March 15.-ln an ad-
dress on the tariff delivered at Prince
ton university former Judge Alton b.
Parker questioned the good faith OF
the Republican leaders I'm the matter
of revising the tariff downward at the
coming special session OF Congress.
He also intimated that the protected
interests, to prevent actual revision,
might try TO bring about disastrous
panic. He first gave a history of the
tariff movement in the United States
and then said:
That large contributions have been
the great source OF the political pow
er OF the protected interests has long
been known. The early ventures In
party bargaining proving stable and
profitable, other privilege seekers were
prompted to do likewise AT last IL Is
general knowledge that men high in
official station deem il not only proper
for their party to receive such contri-
buttons. but also proper for the official
TO ask for them. So also Is 1t the
fact that the protected interests are
strongly represented in the congress
by manufacturers and investors In
protected industries, as also by men
who deem ii their duty TO support the
interests OF this portion OF their con
stituents-men who have come 10 dig
Nifty the attempt to hold or to gain
the privilege of taxing the many for
the benefit of the few, as in support
of the principle of protection.
Decay OF Political Morals.
"The people have suffered. and
greatly, by the loss OF the money TAX
en- from them through tariff statutes
to fiji the Golfers of the protected in
terests Yet great as that loss is. 1t
in no wise compares with the damage
resulting to them In the decay of POI
litical morals due TO the successful ell
forts to utilize government for bust
ness purposes. The steady lowering
OF political ideals which has occurred
will diminish or cease when and only
when business and politics are rended.
To that end the gradual reduction or
the tariff 10 revenue basis should De
entered upon and persisted in. DOUBT
less. TO prevent such result. panic
will be threatened by the protected
interests and may be precipitated, but
their elimination from governmental
control will be OF infinitely greater val
lie TO the people than the cost or one
or even many panics."
OF the special session of congress
he said the protected interests are
now forming their lipes for the battle.
He quoted the following statement re-
lating To President Taft made by Jas.
Van Cleave. president OF the National
Association OF Manufacturers:
He insists that the coming revis-
ion Of the tariff should he honest and
Intelligent. As this viii come in the
extra session which he Will call, II
will be the first measure or his al
ministration And he joins the great
body OF the business men or the coun-
try I'm favoring the creation OF per
manent, expert. non-partisan commlS-
sion 90 make the Investigations on
which congress can base tarin legis-
lation.
Taft To Be Of Help.
"The country wants Legislation
which will protect labor equally with
capital. Each has needs which shoulc
be promoted. Each has rights that
the other must respect. But special
favors must not be granted to either.
Mr.. Tar's broadness. poise and il
dicial training will aid congress IA
marking out the legislation In this
and the other fields which the coun-
try demands"
Referring to this statement. Judge
Parker said
This is interesting and instructive.
Once again the mighty hosts OF labor
are put forward by the capitalist Van
Cleave To assure TO certain capital All
unjust return. Again we see mat one
OF the lines Of battle follows the pre-
cedent of 1882 and 1888. The protect
ed interests. whom President Van
Cleave inaCcurately describes as the
great body OF the business men or the
country favor investigation before
legislation the investigation not 10 b.
mace by n committee OF congress bHl
Nv a commission OF experts. THIS
course, II adopted. will postpone a.
ton for perhaps year. and give the
projected interests abundant time 90
prepare congress 10 repeat the tactics
OF 1883"
A commission formed during the adj
,ministration of President Arthur "a
vorgd tariff reductions OF from 20 q
p pa cent. but he said congress re
undated the commission and its re
port and passed bill raising the
duties.
May Sc Mock Battle.
Continuing. he said
IT NAV be that this apparent line
OF battle IL after all intended for q
mock. not real battle. Rumors per