The Detroit times., 1909-04-12
KILL TARIFF BILL,
Says IA TOILETTE
Wisconsin Senator Will Introduce
Bill To Create Commission To
Consider Tariff.
BY gibson GARDNER.

The defeat OF the Payne-Aldrfch tarin
II revises tariff upward
instead Of downward-and the crea-
ton OF tariff commission. Is what
Senator Robt. NJ. LaFolleite will try |
TO bring about
The entire impossibility OF having
any rational adjustment NJ the tarift
by the methods which are now being /
employed is being clearly demonstrate
ed" said Senator LaFollette. "Busi'
ness H. held MP while this tariff bill
is talked about. and the leaders urge
that no one interpose anything which
may appear like a dilatory action lest
business be unnecessarily halted. Yet
there Is not time for any member or
either branch Of congress TO find OUT
actually what this tariff bill contains.
Much less Is there time 10 ind out the
principles in accordance with when
the tariff rates are or ought TO be AL
justed
The whole scheme is wrong. AMI
there is every indication that congress
is. not acting in good faith. II would
be easy. for example, To obviate this
rnsettlement OF business by providing |!
that the new tariff law would not take /
effect for u months after its passage
This would give the business of the |
country ample time 10 adjust itself TO |
the new conditions.
But the authors OF this bill are us |
ing every effort 10 cram the measure |
down the peoples throats. and the |
less they know about 1t the better 1t
would seem the authors OF the bill VIII |
be pleased"
Will Introduce Bills.
AS substitute for the Aldrich-
Payne bill, Senator LaFollette viii
offer. at the proper time, bill To
create a commission OF nine tariff ex-
perts TO be appointed BY the presi-
dent, subject To the approval OF the
senate. The terms OF this commission
would be from three to III years FROM
the date OF their appointment AM
their successors would be appined
each for a term OF ten years.
No senators or representatives
would be eligible for appointment
No two commissioners could be resi-
dents OF the same judicial circuit.
Not more than five could DE members
OF the same political party One
would be required TO have a practical
knowledge of the manufacturing In
dustry: one OF agriculture; one OF
import business: one would be rep
resentative or labor; one special
tariff lawyer; one a student OF domes-
tic and foreign tariffs and commercial
reciprocity; one an expert on cost or
production and accounting; one a
trained statistician; and one an emil
nent economist. who has made spe-
cial study of wages and cost OF living.
Commissioners would draw salaries a.
the rate OF $4,000 a year.
This tariff commission provided for
by the LaFollette bill would be
charged with the duty of revising
tariff schedules in accordlnance with
the principles set out In the Repub-
lican national PLATFORM principle
likewise Endorsed by the Democratic
organization. The difference between
the cost of production at home and
abroad is the difference which ought
to determine the tariff according to
the party declarations. This difference
is merely a matter OF fact which can
be determined by inquiry. Congress
is without these facts. To secure
them is no small task. But IL is a
task which only a body OF experts
could possibly perform. In this fash
ion all civilized nations solve the
problem. The I.aFollette law would
give power to this commission TO make
injuries 10 summon manufacturers
and importers and 10 compel the pro-
duction OF books and papers. II would
also have the power to make Inquiries
abroad
President Would Have Power.
When the commission had determin
ed the difference in cost OF produc-
ton at home and abroad and had thus
determined what would be- the proper
tariff on any particular manufactured
product the commission would be en-
powered to report TO the president
who would have power to Immediately
put this tariff into effect by proclsmo-
ton.
The LaFollette commission would
be required TO begin their inquiry with
the primary industries producing iron
ere. coal. lumber and other raw ma.
terial from the natural resources of
the country, aud to proceed In con-
secutive order as nearly as prac-
ticable from the industries producing
raw material to the industries produc-
ing finished products.
Senator LaFollette proposes TO
make n hard fight for his commission.
IL goes without saying that he Will be
opposed By Senator Aldrich and by all
the other representatives Of the spe-
cial interests and trusts in congress.
The wisconsin senator will make
very effective attack. however on the
Payne-Aldrich bill, exposing how IL
increases the duties on some 100000
COO of imports and decreases duties
on some S40,000.000 OF imports. He
will show also how the bill. while CIV
ing special favors to special trust In
terests puts added burdens on the
poor and increases the cost of neces-
stiles.