New-York tribune., 1909-03-17
NOW FOR THE TARIFF.

President Taft's message TO Congress recon-
r,endinp q revision of the tariff schedules is
short and businesslike. Having amplihed his
views on the plan and scope OF the revision III
the inaugural address, he deemed II quite uh-
necessary TO repeat what lie had said only Ten
DAYS before. He asks for prompt acton on
the tariff schedules, for the sufficient reason
that business will necessarily be halted 70
some extent while the new rates are belhg
fixed. But he does not favor trying TO 'Tali-
road" revision through, for the equally suf-
ficient reason that though some temporary III
convenience must result from delay now, last
ing harm would be done by enacting tarln
law which should fail TO readjust the rates TO
fiji present conditions and should thus disap-
pofpt public expectations. The President wisely
urges las much speed as possible consistent
with It's 1.-THE tariff'Sl due and thorough con
'sideration."
The revision of 1909 IS to be undertaken
under much more favorable conditions than
were the revisions of 1890, 1894 and 1897. We
have called attention many times to the lact
that the tariff question no longer raises Dltter
partisan or sectional antagonisms. The pro
lection system is now thoroughly established,
and parties and sections differ only as to meth
ods of applying it. The Democratic party, IN
both the House and the Senate. has become in
large part moderately pr0tectionist. There VIII
be no serious opposition in either branch TO
measure which gives q reasonable amount OF
protection TO domestic interests.
Again the Republican party has Il secure ma
ioritv in Congress In 1890 it controlled the
House by narrow margin. In 1897 it was
in an actual minority in the Senate. There
has been an opportunity this year, also, for al
vance work on the schedules such as was not
possible in 1890. 1894 or 1897. The Ways and
.a- fDl1r
months working out a revision, and the Senate
Finance Committee has also been studying
the question The bill to be presented to-day
I by Mr. Payne VIII not be a rough draft but
nearly COMPLETED measure. If il satisfies Re
publican sentiment its consideration in the
House will not be unduly protracted On the
other hand there viii be no occasion for rush
ing it through under whip and spur. The House
has shown its desire for freer discussion and
action and an opportunity should be given for
genuine debate on the new schedules. All
amendment TO the rules adopted on Monday
safeguards the right of the House TO vote on
questions which 1t deems Of importance for it
allows a motion to recommit with instructions
TO be made before a measure can be disposed
Of Formerly the Rules Committee could bring
in an order requiring amendments TO be voted
on in bulk and denying division on any par
ticular amendment. AS consequence the
members of the House were compelled 10 vote
for bill as a whole or against it as a whole,
although a majority might prefer TO pass It
with modification.
The new tariff law will be made largely in
the Senate. and in that body it will be consid-
cred long enough TO measure the country's feel
ing toward it. It is better to be deliberate
than 10 run the risk Of serious bunders. To
Judge from experience, there is little probabil-
ity that the new tariff law VIII go to the
President before June !.