New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-14
PAYNE SURE OF TARIFF
NO CHANGES EXPECTED.
II Great Era of Prosperity Predicted
His York.
[From The Tribune bureau. ]

Washington, Aug 13.-There will be no change In
the Payne tariff bill at the next session OF Con-
gress This is the conviction of Representative
Serene +. Payne, of New York. whose the
measure bears. The chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee, who is practically the only mem
Der OF Congress in Washington. is convinced
that wher that body meets in December the new
customs law will be firmly intrenched in popular
approval that any 'fnsurgent' who attempts to
tinker with the tariff will find little support in
the country at large. He has been through tariff
fights before and is not alarmed by those who are
predicting tina. the enactment of the Payne law
only the Seginning OF the fight for tariff re-
vision. Seen Nnght at his home in Washington
by a representative OF The Tribune. Mr. Payne
said that he viewed with pleasure the work which
he and his associates accomplished at the special
session t'e
From busy and reticent statesman Mr.. Payne
had been transformed into a genial and leisureiy
citizen. who is confidently and complacently await
ing what he is convinced will be one of the great
of prosperity this country has ever seen.
Il quite confident said Mr.. Payne, mat
there will be necessity OF changing the new
tariff bill at the coming session OF Congress- III
received most careful study from every member OF
Congress before II was enacted. Business men ali
over the country studied the paragraphs in which
they were particularly interested. and the con-
ferrees sought to make every item accurate and
every word of the law mean what Congress IN
tended. II may be- although seriously doubt IT,
that some technicality may be discovered In the
process of administering the law, but unless this
occurs. do not anticipate any legislative chahses-
Between now ard March 3. 1910. the President
will be investigating the tariffs of foreign
countries to ascertain whether they are unduy as
criminatory against American manufacturers and
whether II is necessary 10 apply the maximum pro
visions 10 them. II after this close study ne
should to recommend any changes IN the
measure Congress. they will be carefully eonsid-
cred.
'"rhe tariff bill has been law just little over
a week. That is too short a time TO permit accurate
predictions estimates. II Is expected that ihe
imports will increase within the next few months
because OF the lowered duties on many articles.
number OF importers have delayed their shipments
IN order 10 get advantage OF the lower rates
is impossible 10 Judge accurately the prooaoio
revenue producing qualities OF this law under the
present importations. They are certain TO faii OF
TO extent after the hrst rush OF trade Is
over | am satisfied. however. up 70 date out
shall anxiousy await further developments. for
have predicted and am convinced that the Ia" VIII
become an excellent revenue producer
In discussing the bill itself. Mr.. Payne said: II
is not the Identical bill / would have written had
been supreme I'm the matter. but did not expect
such outcome when l began work on the meas
ure / had my own ideas but there were nearly
1--WE hundred other men in Congress who also had
ideas and who were much entitled TO them as
myself I was forced compromise on some
schedules and almost every man In Congress was
forced TO do likewise. Such important legislation
as tarin bin simply series OF com
and one that will bring prosperity 20 the country
II It turns out otherwise. there VIII be no man In
the country more disappointed and regretful than
myself Since June 1905. l have done little else
bat work on the tariff, I have eaten with IL and
slept with 1t and I frank to say that am glad
10 De rid OF IT.
In my opinion the so-calIed progressives mis-
placed a great deal OF their energy They expended
in destructive criticism OF the measure and de-
manded too much They seemed unwilling To com
promise as all the rest OF had 10 do. They did
work with the majority in effort harmonze all
differences and at the same time make the bill as
paatable possible the entire country. but crit
cised every portion OF the measure which was not
entirely satisfactory them The Payne bill Is the
best b THAT we could have passed II was near
defeat at time IN the House. which shows how
necessary the compromises We're 1t Is a bill that
answers, as well as II was possible for Congress
TO answer II. the voice OF the entire country. No
section secured all that IL asked. section has
been left uncared for. The bill will be criticised
perhaps severely. but this criticism will make no
impression on the people, unless the law proves TO
be a bad one"
Mr. Payne has frequently pointed out the fact
that on himself and his associates devolved the
duty OF revising the tariff and passing a tariff
hi! His object twofold-to make COM
promise which would be the best ne was capable
OF making. and 10 be certain that the compromise
was acceptable 10 Congress. He realized the dis
astrous result OF an adjourned Congress without
tariff legislation and the cry which would have
been raised that the Republicans Incompetent
to legislate for the country, and that they had
repudiated the platform pledges With this in
mind he made himself the central figure I'm a fight
for lower duties and n bill which would be passed
by Congress and approved by the country.
Mr. Payne will leave Washington tomorrow FOR
Old Point Comfort. where he will Join Mrs Payne
After that he will spend of his summer on
the Massachusetts coast. He has not decided
whether 10 take ms golf clubs with him In fact
he has about abandoned The golf idea. although
he says tina, II he does play he would beat many
of the statesmen on the Washington links this |
year. HIS chief exercise will be walking and his |
chief recreation watching the baseball games. He
has not missed game since Congress adjourned |
and hopes that some Eastern will win the |
pennant so that he attend a worlds series