Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1909-12-09

mas naturally grown out OF the heavy
always been the policy of our, government!
to assume; but am strongly convinced
that no other practical solution OF the
alton OF civil servants can be found than
that of a system of civil pensions.
Frauds in the Collection of Customs.
1 regret to refer to the fact of tile
lection of the customs revenue at New
York City. in which number of the
subordinate employees in the weighing and
cerned. and in which the beneiiciaries
were the American Sugar Refining COM
pany and others. The frauds. consisted
OF sugar The government has recovered
from the American Sugar Refining COM
pany all that II is shown TO have been
defrauded of. The sum was received In
full of the amount due which might have
4 been recovered by civil suit against the
beneficiary OF the fraud. but there was
settlement BY which the settlement
should not Interfere with. or prevent the
criminal prosecution of everyone who
was found to be subject to the same.
Criminal prosecutions are now proceed
ing. against Il number of the government
officers. The treasury department and
every effort to discover all the wrong
doors, including the officers and EN-
plyes of the companies who may have
been prtNy TO the fraud. 1t would seem
to me thar an vcstigation of the frauds
by congress a present. pending the prob
ing by The treasury department. and the
by giving Immunity and otherwise prove
an emaarrassme in securing conviction
OF the guilty parties.
Maximum and Minimum.
Two features OF the new tariff act call
for special reference by virtue of the
clause known az the Maximum and Min
imuin clause. II is the duty of the eN-
e.cuiive. Ia, consider the laws and prac-
nj ~ tti.A vS-tfb ,..,f
the Importation into those countries of
me products and merchandise of the
United States: and IL the executive finds
such laws and practices not to be unduly
discrim'iatory against the United States,
the minimum duties provided in the bill
are TO go into force. Unless the pres
maximum duties provided in the bill. that
Is. an increase OF - per cent ad valorem
over the minimum duties. are TO be In
force. Fear has been expressed that this
power conferred and duty imposed on the
executive is likely to lead to tariff war.
beg 70 express the hope and belief that
1io such result need be anticipated.
The discretion granted to the executive
by the ,e, ms. 'unduiy discriminatory" Is
vide. In order that the maximum duty
shall be charged against the imports from
the country. 1t is necessary that he shall
Ind on the part of that country not only
discrimination in it's laws or the practice
lnited States. but that the discrmina-
lions found shall he undue: that is.
without good and fair reason. 1 conceive
that this power was reposed in the pres
ident with the hope that the maximum
duties might never be applied in any
case but that the power to apply them
department. through friendly negotia-
lions to secure the elimination from the
laws and the practice under them of any
foreign country of that which is unduly
war OF a condition in which the spirit
of retaliation shall be aroused.
Use of Tariff Board
The new tariff law enables me to APP
nection with the department, of state in
the administration Of the minimum and
maximum clause of the act and also to
assist Officers of The. government in the
administration of the entire law An ex-
animation of the Law and an understands
ins 81 the nature OF the facts. which
functions imposed upon the executive
show that have the power TO direct the
tariff board, to make comprehensive
used and articles embraced in the tariff
law, and to secure information as to the
cost of production of such goods In this
in foreign countries. | have therefore APP
pointed a tariff board consisting of three
members and have directed them to per-
form all the duties above described. This
years, and ] ask congress a continuing
annual appropriation equal to that al
ready read IN. made for IFS prosecutian | believe
prime utility and Importance whenever
congress shall deem it wise again to
readtuss the customs. duties. II the facts
sharac,s,. &c to shnu .arars die y, su zen
rates OF duties imposed by the present
MES ~ nrnfec, ior as dasoriba el,e ~ ~
platform Of the successful party az t the
late election. shall not hesitate to in
and -, mo nacnssit,. for " .ain aa &c.
thereon. Nothing. however. HATS a'i hnsil
n,.sne aH sn ,n'cb s Mii hs me course OF
,.isin ~ ~ t,.;ff az ,;, .,s re-
ar.. AZ mana affer ,arefi,, and dn,iba,.sts
, ,i anu uelipeIale
s,, ,oner,1 ha ,,ndrt ~ su :; aevlsiol.
49, ~ ~. - ~ ul,i.i NIL III ~ seems 70
ni<i1fo, MAJ c ~, ne ; amour. OF
,lt,i;i.oi ma 'ioii may efeeps INTO argu.
nltnss' pro ana con IN respect TO tariff
Is ss,a a. 90 require inc KIND or
t.,yiff $3.50 =. nna, ~ alLec.sa ,he
-. - !, ii,sah,; an ii,NesIsatloh I'M
,5a 49,. ,ni,. mi' ny masiiom. reSpect 20
ma, Ht.i'n . ny laels may 5haN nave IN
- 9 sii''iis oi v''e rates OF
tu'S' NJ
war Department.
In the interest Of immediate economy
Ma 'l Pusi 'T,, 81 g, deficit
mates af The war department for the
coming fiscal Lar which brings the total
estimates Town to AN amount s45pt0 600
less than Ae corresponding estimates fo,.
iasf year This could only be accom-
rliSned w cutting off new projects and
sGSpendin,; tor the period of one wear
AL progress IN military matters For tho
same reason ! have directed that me
army snail not be recruited up to its
present Authorized strength.
The secretary of war calls attention to
a niimoel II needed changes in the army
in all Of winch / concur but the point
upon which place most cmphasis Is s'J the
neci for IN elimination bin providinp n
method bg which the merits of officers
snail have some effect upon their adj