davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
The Sole Theme.
At the Musicale
TARIFF EUGGER MUGGER.
Minority Given No Chance 10 Critf-
else the New Bill.

Minority Given No Chance 10 CFitf-
else the New BIZ.
FTum the New York Times
Does the country realize that no single
member OF the minority OF the WAYS and
Means Committee has any information as
10 what the majority has determined IN
regard 10 tariI rates. or Will have until
the work is completed and the report
ready for the House. and that then only
a day or two viii be allowed 10 the
minority 10 study the report?
The most bigOted party man will not
assert that this Is a proper way OF dealing
with a question Of such Importance. The
natural function OF the minority Is 70
criticise. and for wholesome and helpful
criticism reasonably full knowledge and
time Tor study and elaboration are OBJ
viously necessary. Criticism is not IN
evitabiy adverse. and IL Is quite possible
that fair and decent joint consideration
OF such measure as the tariff IN com
mittee might save much time and lead
20 wiser and more practical mode OF
revision As IL is this advantage Is
denied 20 the nation The old beaten
path viii be followed The minority will
present a report OF It's own. which will
serve mainly as a text for speeChmakinV
that will have little influence on Con-
gresslonal action. The bin VIII De pushed
through the House IN a couple OF weeks.
the beaefciaries Of the tariff viii flock 10
the Finance Committee OF the Senate.
that BODY Will give hearings, then the
Senate VIII take the matter up and after
months. perhaps. the bin viii go 10 a
conference committee, where the revision
VIII finally be settled on. In the Senate
Committee the action OF the majority will
be OF the same arbitrary fashion as In the
House Committee. At 10 stage OF the
tedious and disturbing proceeding will
there be anything Ike rational and public
spirited cooperation between the leading
members OF the two parties 10 secure a
sensible and desirable result.
The explanation is simple The tariff
is not treated as a great public meas
ure, but as cOngeTies OF jobs. That. IN
its origin, its purpose, and SIS develop
ment IS what Il IS. The present majority
OF the Ways and Means Committee has
shown some disposition 10 han,iis IL In
the public interest, but Il can not escape
the tyranny OF custom based on greedy
aud organized private interests. That
tyranny can be broken down only by the
force OF a definite. intelligent. and gen
eral public sentiment. effectively repre-
scented at Washington. The next half
year will show whether this is TO be at
tanned
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
NEW WHITE HOUSE DEAL
How Il Affects the BrOmidie wash
fnstOnian.

Frum Puck.
Washington has capttulated 10 Presi-
dent Taft completely. Psssibiy we could
not help Il: his sunshiny presence and
winning smile. you know-not to men
to-"
1T Is all so restful nowadays, too. No
big stick. no Ananias Club. no Rough
Riders. no Monday morning eplstles to
the people. Really. Il seems quite old
fashioned-and old-fashioned things suit
Washington best. maybe. after all
Booker WashingJ-! Sh-h-h-h-hi. We
never mention that matter any more, you
know"
Mr.. Tafts love OF golf indicates large
~ the manner Of man he Is. Il Is not
necessary to consult cowboys. prize fight
ers, gentlemen-quick-on and
so on. when Il cones to adjusting the
ethical points Of the present Official
White House pastime"
M Tart IS essentially a diplomat He
never yells things from the housetOps
His subordinate career IN Washington
paved the way for his present popularity
though the full magnitude OF the man
was not revealed until he took the reins
OF government actually in hand, OF
course"
think washington rather approved
OF TAN returning alone from the inaugu-
ration at the Capt ol % the White House.
Not that anybody IS knocking his prede-
cessor. you might say. but-weu. il was
Taft's show. and there was no good and
sufhclent reason why ne should have
shared his glory with any other man
"Of course. II does look 2 little strange
about the White House not 10 see Mr..
LOeO'S smiling ard Welcoming fare yorv--
adays. But as or sw....ow does not
MAKE a summer, nei. -e- should one sor-
row damDen an otherwise abundant 10y
1t is more or less comforting 70 feel.
too. that Pete the man-eating bulldog
OF the other days, IS with us no longer
Ambassadors now feel that they may
approach the White House without fear
] Of embarrassing complications. and-er-
things OF that kind. YOU know"
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
GERMANY MOST PROSPEROUS.
II Not Already EurOpe's Richest
Nation, Soon VIII BE.

A4l-- ne Ll--QL 4rtLscrl
The wealth OF the German nation IS
multiplying with marvellous rapidly.
Herr Dernburg. the colonial secretary.
puts the increase during the Two decades
lSS4-lso4. az 30 billion marks (eI E20.Ooo. -
COO. and even the social democratic or
gan, VOrwarts. accepts the figure without
protest Every indication points 70 q
condition OF almost unparalleled prosper
tty among all classes Of the people To-
day The income tax returns OF Prussia
for 1905. published q month ago. show
an aggregate or Prussisn incomes. IS per
cent larger than that for 1907 which 10
turn was more than IS per cent larger
than that for 1919
The three important economic tests. the
volume OF emigration. the amount Of IN
employment among trade unionists. and
the showing OF savings bank deposits al
point very fOrcibly in the same direction
Emigration from Great Britain is pro-
poruonaiy, ten to fifteen times as heavy
as from Germany. unemployment at least
three 10 four times more widespread. and
the increase OF savings banks deposits
less than one-tWenty- as rapid. The
cost OF living. especially the price OF
bread and meat. has risen IN recent
-NA-- Jul II - sun lower Llen IN trrHe Z
Britain. and the rise OF wages during
The same period has more than com
pensated the WOTkingman.
II Germany is not already the wealth
Test nation In Europe. as some economists
contend. she seems ar least on the sure
road 10 becoming so; and she is today
indisputably the most prosperous Dur
Ing the past thirty years the empire has
accumulated vast load OF debt and has
entered upon gigantic lines Of enterurise
whose cost was not carefully counted in
the beginning The gap between income
and expenditure continues TO widen Ru+
every impartial observer is Obliged n
come sooner or later 10 the conclusion
that the difficulties OF the situation are
merely inevitable 20 the launching Of a
new and ambitious world power IN an era
Of International prOdigaIty such as the
past three decades have been And there
= =, -c=7--N'e doubt that. with the Ger
man people and resources as they are. the
Kaiser's strong box viii never fan him
at q really critical time
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
TAX WEALTH, NOT FOOD.
But why Not Ada Clothing TO the
ExemDttOnR


From ths Philadelphia Presa
The revision OF the tariff this year has
a double task. The rates must be revised
and aOooO0ooo OF additional revenue
must be raised.
The COMMITTEES on Ways and Means
has been wise in its tariff in leaving out
the tax or coffee and imposing & tax
On inheritances. II is better 10 tax
wealth than 10 tax food.
European countries raise a large por-
ton Of their revenue by taxes on tea
and coffee. England raises nearly half
It's revenue from duties by taxes on food,
Sugar is dutiable In this country. but
there is for this the sound reason that
the duty protects homegrown sugar. now
one-hfth OF the whole. and fosters sugar
in Cuba. Abolish the duty on sugar and
the reduction IN the Cuban product would
advance the price BY more than the re-
ouetion from the abolition Of the duty.
The Mckinley tarin, IN spite OF this,
abolished the duty on sugar and its con-
sumption increased with great rapidity
under the stimulus OF cheap sugar. II Il
were not for its protection OF the home
sugar product and its effect on our insu-
lar neighbOrs there would be little 20 be
said even fer the duty on sugar
New duties on food have no defense
They ought not 10 be imposed. Tax
wealth instead OF food.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
INCOME TAX AND COURTS.
Misrepresentation Regarding the De-
cisiORs Cleared Up.

MiSapprehensiOn Regarding the De-
cisiORs Cleared Up.
Prom the Pittsburs Dispatch.
Prince Victor BOnaparte. IN arguing
against the adoption OF the income tax in
France. gave an gorgeous example Of
the way in which the sense OF Supreme
Court decisions can be misrepresented
at a distance. He asserted that the pro
posal for an income tax IN this country
was overruied by the Supreme Court be-
cause Il was ''prejudicial 10 the equality
OF citizens"
Certainly, whatever may be the confu-
sion OF public understanding as 10 the
grounds OF the decision against the in
come tax. II was not on that ground al
all The reasoning Of most OF the judges
who were ag8inst the tax was that the
tex was invalid because It Was a direct
tax. which, under the Constitution. can
not be levied by Congress unless IN pro
portion 70 the census an evident i'm
possibility IN the collection Of an income
tax The majority opinion was founded
entirely on the division OF powers be-
tween national and state governments.
q difficulty which has no existence in
the French case.
Moreover, in quoting the Supreme Court
as a guide on the prOpriety OF such
tax one fact Is pertinent. The Supreme
Court at one time upheld the tax as
valid; az another time declared IL invalid.
The later decision. being the last word
so Tar spoken, is law in this country.
But as bearing on the issue OF either
principle or policy we have Supreme
Court authority on both sides. Recogniz-
ing also that they were different judges
who gave the different opinions in the
same court. II is interesting 10 note that
a majority Of the judges who have passed
on that tax found On its favor
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
FRIDAY. MARCH 10. 1909.
The Forgotten Tariff Commission.

What has become Of the tariff commits
sion that was so loudly demanded by the
National Manufacturers Association, and
that President Taft was supposed TO IA
vor as means OF taking the tariff out Of
politics and putting the matter Of revision
or a business basis?
In the middle of February there was
held in Indianapolis convention of bust
ness men, manufacturers. and statesmen.
who strongly resolved that a tariff com
mission should be created at the special
session OF Congress. I'VE are here" said
James W. Van Cleave. permanent chair
man Of the convention. TO give concrete
expression to the demand OF the business
men Of the country for the establishment
Of permanent. nonpartisan. impartial
tariff commission TO gather the facts and
TO frame the report on which Congress
can base the tariff adjustments which are
necessary from time to time And I am
glad TO tell you that in voicing this de-
mand President-elect Taft stands with
US"
The then President-elect had Endorsed
the tariff commission idea in a letter to
Henry Reisenberg. a promoter OF the
Indianapolis convention. and later defined
his views more accurately in a letter to
Chairman Payne, Of the Ways and Means
Committee. which views were accepted
and approved by the Indianapolis reform
ers. In that letter Mr. Taft wrote:
A tariff commission would be harmful or useful
as its functions described in the bill Ny own
ideas have been that there ought 20 be permanent
commission Of tariff experts TO keep themselves ad-
vised b. al the means possible Of the cost OF pro-
ducng the articles named in the schedule in foreign
countries and IN this country.
Il think that what We lack is evidence. and some
such means might very wen he used for the purpose
Of securing IL.
Il should be the last 10 advocate a commission
With any power 10 TX rates. If that were cons.itu-
tional- As il would not be. or with any function
other than that Of furnishing the evidence to Con
gress upon which from time to time it might act
That was prior 10 March 4. Mr.. Taft
is now President His inaugural address
IS silent on the subject OF a tariff COM
MISSION. and so Is his message TO Con-
gress Of a few days since. Whatever
views he may entertain as TO the present
desirability OF a tariff commission. if he
has any he is keeping to himself II IS
evident that Mr.. Taft will not be given TO
wasting words on useless recommends
uons. Doubtless he has been informed by
the leaders of the House and Senate that
Congress will tolerate no such foolishness
As a tariff commission. In fact. there was
very circumstantal report TO that effect
shortly before Mr.. Taft took Office.
Then OF what value. under the eircum-
stances. is Mr.. Van CIeave's assurance to
the Indianapolis convention that Mr.. Taft
stands with us?r
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
"Ragtime " to the Rear.

NIr- John Philip sousa says the public
demand Tor so-caIled ''ragtime" melodies
has absolutely died away and that ii is
only on rare occasions his band renders
one. and then only as a third or fourth
encore number. So thoroughly. more
over. is the famous band leader i'm
pressed with the truth OF MS observation
That he says he viii not permit organiza-
tons over which he has control TO play
this class Of music in the future under
any circumstances.
We think this should carry an addition
al measure Of conviction to the souls of
those optimistic people who have of late
allowed themselves to believe that we are
entering more cultured era. as con-
Germs not only music. bat the kindred
arts as well The day has passed, If
managers are to be believed. when the
hodgepodge and slapstick musical comedy
may be considered a paying undertaking.
he public has grown intensely weary of
that form Of amusement, and il has given
way to much better things. and that. too.
notwithstanding the fact that the prog
ress to ideal things Is yet somewhat far
from complete ''Ragtimer PLAYED its
ignobls parr in many OF the now discarded
musical comedy successes. and the dis
appearance Of the one was, naturally.
largely Incidental to the disappearance
Of the other
II is rather surprising to look back At
this time and contemplate the yesterdays.
when we were ali Ehistling Won't You
Come Home. Bill Bailey?'' Mr.. Johnson.
Turn Ne Loose" and L Want a Real
Coon" the while we might have been
turning our efforts TO better and more
elevating things OF musical persuasion.
albeit, perhaps, not such things even in
that event as would have been approved
by ultraeonservatlves and extreme purists
in that actually blessed heaven reserved
for the few elect We contend that for
instance, while the Merry Widow,
waltz may not be the ultima Thule of
musical excellence. IT is high I'D in the
realm OF things worth while when con-
sidered in contrast with IT Guess TN
Have 60 Telegraph My Baby"
And so. We think we are able 70 view,
the passing Of "ragtme" with a resIgna-
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
japan and Korea.

Undoubtedly the greatest and most sub
stantial benefit gained by Japan in the
Russo-Japanese war was the putting OF
the island empire firmly in possession OF
the fertile land OF Korea, throughout
which, up 10 the time Of the war. Rus
sian influence had seemed destined to
become most prominent. The establish
ment Of the Japanese throughout the
Korean empire was rot ACCOMPLISHED
without much friction. considerable bad
management. and lot Of I'll feeling.
Those who knew Korea in the period i'm
mediately following the war saw that
the immediate result OF making the Ian
anese force dominant In Korean towns
and villages was markedly demoralizing.
But undoubtedly in the time that has
passed since then Japan has done enor-
mously good work for the land and it's
people. though it has been done. Of
course. at the cost Of Korean independ-
ence.
Prince formerly Marquis) Ito. educated
in England, and Of all the elder states
men the nearest 10 the japanese throne
has been the resident general eyer since
the war report on the reforms and
progress IN Korea, compiled by the resi-
dency general. has recently been submit
ted. While the report does not attempt
70 disclose the motive which is impelling
Japan in her operations in Korea
whether it is hoped in time to make
Korea an integral part Of the Japanese
empire or whether the reforms are in
tended to help the Koreans toward uti-
mate self-government does not appear
But II the report may be trusted. it is
clear that the japanese have accomplish
ed great things in the land over which
they have settled. BY a change of tho
law the resident general has become
practically the absolute ruler Of Korea
and the powers Of the Korean empire az
a government are entirely subservlent TO
the residency. This makes # apparent
that whatever reforms the resident gen
eral may plan to carry out. they will be
backed with ample power.
1t is perhaps for the reason of giving
Prince Ito an absolutely free hand thar
the imperial household Of Korea has been
brought under strict regulations. Under
the supervision OF a department OF inves-
tigation the properties OF the imperial
house have been defined, and this has re-
suited in the elimination OF corruption in
the sale of official positions A cabinet
has been organized. composed OF a min
lister. president &C state. and ministers Of
home affairs. finance. education, war. jus
tice, and commercial affairs and in or
der to secure the efficient working Of
these departments the vice minister Of
state is also a japanese
The separation Of the imperial house
hold Of Korea from the state. has made
possible the operation OF the affairs OF
the state through the resIdency general
without any conflict with the Emperor
and his retinue- BY means OF this new
cabinet. reforms on all lines have been
undertaken. Laws have been eodihed.
new administration for prisons provided.
model forests planted, government build
ings constructed. new schools opened.
modern sanitation commenced, and so on.
The basis OF all these reforms has been
the entire overhauling OF the financial
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
DRYING UP SWEDEN.
More Than 23,O6- DfStiIIerfes Closed
IN the Last Half Century.

From McClcre's DIaEarns
Instead OF going cry 81 any OF the vs-i-
Gus ways now being tried IN this country
Sweden has invented a method OF uouo-
traffic control which can show some ex-
traordinary results
The novel features OF the law enacted
in that country so long ago as 49, con
sisted in the provision that local com-
panles or committees might be formal
in various communities 10 conduct fba
liquor traffic in such a way as to elini-
nate al private profit. any gain that
might result from the traffic being d.
rectly applied 70 the promotion OF pubic
utilities calculated 10 serve as counter
attractions TO the saloon.
At that time there were more than
Z.0oo distilleries IN Sweden. and II was
saio that liquor could be purchased IN
almost every hut IA the kingdom When
the new law had been IN force six years
the number OF distilleries had dropped
70 less than 500. In 1896 Il was 10
Meanwhile the saloons shrank away
so rapidly that in 1859 there was brt
one for SOS Of the population. and eleven
years later only one far $3.50 inhabi-
tants-hgures that gain clear Significance
II we reflect by way OF contrast that
Jersey City. FOR example. has a saloon
Cor every thirty-five voters.
The per capita consumption Of sririt-
uous liquors decreased In Sweden from
= hters IN 151 10 70 Hters n 1Sas
Instead OF eight quarts tthe equivalent
Of az hters) per capita the consvmDtson
In this country Is over seventeen gallons
for every man. woman, and child. This
is the average given by the census re-
ports for the year 1890. when the tora1
consumption OF liquors IN this country
was L322 O0o.Oo0 gallons.
The system which has ACCOMPLISH. 81
much IN Sweden was first put into opera
ton IN its developed form in the CITY ~
Gothenburg, and hence. came 10 be yen
orally known as the GOIhenburg svsten,
II vas adopted in due course by AN The
chief cities and by many Of the smaller
cities N Sweden. and II met a similarly
favorable reception IN Norway and in
Finland
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19

system. And this. in turn, Is entailing
the establishment of national treasures
and the placing of the financial concerns OF
the Korean government in the hands OF a
japanese bank. Dai-Ichi-Ginko- The cur
rency reforms have included the with
6rawal Of the old nickel coins and OF
copper cash" and the Inauguration OF
a new currency along modern lines.
The work which is being carried on IN
Kores is colossal, and reflects much
credit on the organizing ana executive
capacity OF Prince Ito and his associates.
In the FIVE years since the war more has
been done IN Korea under japanese ad-
ministration to make human life worth
living than had been done in a hundred
years previously.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
The Brownsville Court.

The President will shortly announce
the composition OF the army court Of
inquiry which, under Senator Forakers
law, win determine the eligibility 20 re-
enlistment of former enlisted men OF the
Twenty-fifth Infantry, who were dis
charged without honor in November,
1906 on account OF the Brownsville sf-
fray. In carrying out the provisions OF
the law. It is necessary TO establish a
court OF hve officers, none OF whom IS TO
be below the grade Of colonel.
The members of the court are to go over
the records and TO read or listen 10 tes-
timony which shall enable them to de-
eide whether the individual applicant for
.re-enIIstment may be regarded as having
so little knowledge Of the shooting at
Brownsville. in August OF 1906. as 20 jus
tify his return TO the military service.
There are indications that many OF these
former eolored soldiers will present them
selves for re-enlistment, inasmuch as
those who are re-enlisted will receive pay
and allowances in full as II they had not
been separated from the service. and their
period Of leisure VIII count as II they had
been at work when it comes TO computing
the service toward retirement
1t is an eminently just method OF set
Ting the trouble which grew out OF the
attack at Brownsville. assuming that
most OF the soldiers who were stationed
at that place knew nothing OF the episode.
1t VIII evidently be necessary 10 appoint
on the court men OF discernment and i'm
partiality with enough time at their
disposal TO do the work thoroughly. and
it is for this reason that retired officers
OF high rank should be chosen. instead OF
those on the active list
It is only natural that some Of the mil
itary authorities should be found ex-
pressing a doubt as to the wisdom OF the
reinstatement Of these soldiers, largely
on account of the possible impression II
will give among colored soldiers that they
have won out" While the military au-
thorities have duty 10 perform in see
ing that justice IS accomplished. the
members Of the colored race may also be
cautioned against making too much Of
an issue" OF the incident The colored
soldiers can best serve their own inter-
est by behaving themselves and by fur
nishing no more occasions for discipline.
1t will be discouraging TO their friends.
in and out Of Congress. II there IS
repetition OF outbreaks on the part OF
cOlOred soldiers. and II would not take
very much, II these difficulties continue.
to Justify the recommendation or legis-
lation which Will disband the two COM
panies Of infantry and two troops Of
cavalry composed of colored soldiers.
The Washington herald., 1909-03-19
LooseninR Panty mo-.

From the Philadelphia Ledger
1t is much the fashion 20 attribute to
Speaker Cannon the blame for the OIL
garchic rules. There is a modicum OF
cant in that Mr. Cannon is following
in the wake OF Speaker Reed. and more
over, he is doing exactly that which his
party has instructed him to do Even
when the great revolution took place it
Will be noted that the old rules were IA
vored by lS Republicans in a Republican
membership of 2ls in the House. The Car
rules came in quite handy when the Nc
kinley and Dingley tariff bills were 10
be damned through Congress. 1t now ap-
pears that they are not needed. and IL is
also evident. when Republicans Join with
the whole Democratic party TO overthrow
the Republican organization programme.
that he party ties are not binding so
hars as OF yore-