New-York tribune., 1909-05-17
A TARIFF COMMISSION
AUTHORIZATION ASSURED
as Most Important Feat
ure of Sendte'S Measure.
[From The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington May I6-Some OF the most thought
full observers of the tariff debate disposed to
regard the tariff commission, which is to be au-
thorzed under the provisions of the Senate sub
stItute. the important benefit the measure
likely to confer.
There is no specific provision for a tariff COM
mission, II is true. but ample authority is con-
ferred the President to employ such experts as
| he may deem wise, to pay them such compensation
| as he finds necessary and 10 utilize them IN ac-
quiring such information concerning the tarin as
he may desire Under this blanket authorization
IL is pointed the President, If so disposed may
employ experts ascertain the cost Of production
both domestic and foreign. of the articles included
! in the tariff bill, and may thus establish OASIS
for future legislation which Congress has never
enjoyed and does not now possess.
Ardent advocates of a tariff commission point
TO the practically acknowledged fact that the com
mittees OF the two houses of Congress charseu
with the duty of fixing the tariff rates are COM
PEELED to base their conclusions on ex parte eVl-
dence in practically every case; that theH ohiy
guide in determining the cost Of producuoh' Oo'H
here abroad consists of the testimony oi tioe
engaged In the manufacture or producuoh Vi 'i0
articles under discussion, and who, however frank
Iy disposed, labor under the disadvantage VI q
constant fear OF serious competition from aoroau
These men realize that on their testimony VIZ
depend the rate of duty fixed by Congress ana 1t 10
bardI,, surnrisIng that in some instances there
should remain even in the minds ot loyal piC'eo
tonists some doubt to the accuracy ol ''e N
on which the committees have based 'hel' 'o'''1
sons. -,
Any suggestion that parte testimony does ilo'
o,st+,,te conpetent evidence is received with I'M
patience by those who frame the tariff measures
despite the fact that majority OF them are ID"
yers but the advocates of tarin cornhissio" al
convinced that the government III d PoS
TO law before Congress unimpeachable evidence oi
+bo costs oF ,roducton there would be less DIM
Guilty In securing the approval or all protec'ioi
for a measure based on such data and tha' ti'e a.
most interminable debate which now at'ehuS "0
adoption of tariff bill would be at least curta'ied'
Much has been made Of the fact that tle Coh
eress committees have enjoyed the assistance OF
the Treasury experts in framing ther piiis' uu'
while the Treasury officials reluctant TO discuss
the subject for publication they frankly Hu'"i' III
private conversation that they are utterly uhao7
to determine the cost of production on H1s ma
iority of the articles covered by the ttrlI laF''
either in this country or abroad
No one appreciates more than does the President
the advantage which would be derived from inc
authority 10 be conferred on him when 1t again
becomes necessary to revise the tariff schedules.
and while ii is hardly probable that any genera
revision will be undertaken in the near future 1t Is
not Impossible that the Investigations OF the eN-
perts may disclose certain Elaring inequalities "hch
the President may deem II advisable to ask Con-
gress TO correct.
The one serious defect in the tariff commission
proposition contaued in the Senate measure is l's
failure TO confer the proposed experts the rlght
the hooks Of the benehciaries OF the tartn the
advocates Of a commission maintain that were such
authority conferred the experts CHOSEN by the
President 10 investigate the facts. they couio
easily support their conclusions with facts ana
figures which would eliminate all possibility of
doubt and that their conclusions would be gen
erallv received with greater confidence
Such commission would recommend no changes
In rates but would merely lay before Congress
facts which are essential to the intelligent framing
OF a tariff bill. while those who so greatly benefit
by such legislation could hardly complain that the
steps necessary TO obtain the facts were unduly
innuisitorial. Such authority. II is maintained,
would enable them TO present conclusive evidence
as 20 the cost OF production both here and abroad,
and the task Of Congress in adjusting the duties to
e1uallze the difference would then be comparatively
easy.
II is believed, however. that even II Congress
cannot be induced confer the full measure Of
authority on The Presidents experts, the proposed
commission viii constitute long stride In the
right direction. and will pave the way for that
separation the tariff from practical politics which
ardently desired by many OF the sincerest De
lievers in the protective system