Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-08-11
THE NEW TARIFF.
Public Statement of President COn-
cerning Bill Passed by
Congress.

extraordinary session of congress has
been brought to close. The con-
ference report on the bill was agreed
to by the senate by vote of AZ to
81 and, soon afterwards the concur
rent resolution making certain
changes in the leather schedule was
adopted by both houses. President
Taft affixed his signature and it be-
came the law of the land on Friday.
The bill received all the Republican
votes except those of Bristow, Clapp,
Cummins, Dolliver, LaFollette. Bev-
eridge and Nelson.
President Taft has given out the
following statement concerning the
new bill:
have signed the Payne tariff bill
because l believe it to be the result
of sincere effort on the part of the
Republican party to make down.
ward revision, aud to comply with
the promises of the platform as they
have been generally understood. and
as l interpreted them in the cam
paign before election. This is not a
perfect tariff bill, or complete COM
pliance with the promises made
strictly interpreted, but fulfillment
free from criticism in respect to a
subject matter involving many sched-
ules and thousands of articles could
not be expected. Except with regard
to whisky, liquors and wines and in
regard to silks, and rs to some high
classes of cOttOns, all of which may
be treated as luxuries and proper
subjects of revenue tariff, there
have been very few increases in
rates
There have been a great number
of real decreases in rates, and they
constitute a sufficient amount to JUS
tify the statement that this bill is
substantial downward revision, aud
reduction of excessive rates.
This is not a free trade bill 1t
was not intended to be. The Repub-
lican party did not promise to make
free trade bill. 1t promised to
make the rates protective, but to re-
duce them when they exceeded the
difference between the cost of pro-
duction abroad and here. making al
lowance for the greater normal profit
on active investments here T-sf be-
lieve that while this excess has not
been reduced in number of cases,
in a great majority the rates are
such as are necessary to protect
American industries, but are low en-
ough in case of abnormal increase
Of demand, and raising of prices. to
permit the possibility OF the importa-
tion of the foreign article and thus
10 prevent excessive prices.
The power granted to the execu-
tive under the maximum and mini
mum clause may be exercised to Sc
cure the removal of obstacles which
have been interpOsed by foreign gov
ernments in the way of undue and
unfair discrimination against Amer
lean merchandise and products.
The Philippine tariff section | have
struggled to secure for ten years
past, and it gratifies me exceedingly
by my signature to give it the effect
of law. | am sure it will greatly in
crease the trade between the two
countries, and it will dc much to
build up in the Philippines health
ful prosperity.
The administration clause of the
bill and the customs court are admir-
ably adaDted to insure a more unt-
form and more speedy final
construction of the meaning of the
law. The authority of the presi-
dent TO use agents to assist him in
the application of the maximum and
minimum sections of the statute, and
TO enable officials to administer the
law, gives a wide latitude for the
acquisition, under circumstances fav-
orable to its truth. of information
in respect TO the price and cost of
production of goods at home and
abroad, which will throw much light
on the operation of the present tariff
and be of primary Importance in Of
ficially collecting data upon which
future executive action and executive
recommendations may be based.
The corporation tax is a just and
equitable excise measure. which it is
hoped will produce sufficient
amount to prevent deficit and
which, incidentally. will secure valu-
able statistics and information con-
corning the many corporations OF
the country, and will constitute an
important step toward that degree
or publicity and regulation which the
tendency in corporate enterprises i'm
the last twenty years has shown to
be necessary.