Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-04-19
The Tariff Bill.


the tariff debate in the Senate today
Senator AldrIch, chairman of The finance
committee, expressed the utmost conf
dence that the schedules of the Psype
tariff bill, as amended by the Senate
committee, would raise all the revenues
needed for public expenses on liberal
scale.
He declared that the expenses OF the
government could be considerably re-
duced and pleaded that the new measure
be given a trial before any resort be had
to special taxation such as that on in-
comes, iuheritsnces, checks, kilograms
etc.
With regard to his belief that expeud'
itures can be cut down from the "un-
precedeDted extravaganza" Of last year,
Mr.. Aldrich said:
"From an investigation more or less
superficial sm myself satisfied that the
appropriations made last year could
have been reduced at least $50, 900, 600
without impairing the efficiency OF the
public service. There are periods In
the life of nation when the spirit Of
extravaganza pervades the atmosphere
aud the public money 10 scattered right
aud left, often without reference 10 the
results to be secuJed. | hope and ex-
pect to see a radical reform in this direc.
lion. We hsve within the past few
years created many unnecessary bureaus
and multiplied employees beyond the
possibility OF efficient work"
For the purpose Of ascertsining the
relative revenue-producing qualities CT
the Senate bill and the act of 1897, Mr..
AldiCh said the committee on 6nsnce
applied the rates of the Senate bill to
the importations of 1907; this shows the
revenue that would have been derived
upon the impoEtstions made in 1907 II
the Senate bill had been In force during
that year,
awe have selected the year 1907 for
the com pa.ison," he said, "as this was
the last year in which the finances and
business OF the country were In a nor.
mai condition"
Mr.. Aldrich estimates revenues In
1910 from the Senate tariff bill based on
1907 importelioos-tS4O, 900, 900;
Additional revenues expected because
of restrictions on under valuations
So, 600. 900;
Actual revenues In 1907 under Ding
ley law-$392, 100000 Estimated la.
crease 10 revenues under Senate bill
-slS, 900, 900.
He says Panama per cent bonds can
no longer he sold at par; recommends
that the interest be three per cent; that
he opposes imposition of income Inherit
ance, or other special taxes as unjust
and unnecessary.
Mr.. Aldrich thought that the fact
that there will be approximately 4,OOO,-
900 of people more In the U nitsd States
10 1910 than in 1907 would cause a
natural increase in importation and
revenues.
Because of depressed business condi-
tions since autumn of 1907 stocks OF
goods in the country are now very small,
said Mr.. Aldrich. "But," he continued,
tbusiness activity and the movement for
increased importations has already CON-
menced. We can feel the change In the
air." He produced treasury figures
showing an increase Of over $l2, 900, 600
in customs receipts from March / to
April 10 as compared with last year. In
discussing the present condition OF the
treasury Mr.. Aldrlch calculated that
there would be by June go an available
surplus over q necessary working bal
snce of $94, 900, 600, bat this includes
$74, 900, 900 which the treasury iS en-.
titled to receive for reimbursement Of
Panama canal expenditures. At the end
Of the fiscal year 1910, despite the esti-
mated deficiency of s45, 900, 900, there
would still be a surplus Of $40, 900, 900
Declaring that 10 provide revenue
VAS the primal aud necessary purpose of
the bill, Mr.. Daniel asserted that he
would vote first to raise revenue aud
then to lift every burden of taxation of
the people that could be eliminated with
Just regard to conditions under which
the legislation is being made.
II would conserve and not destroy
any Of the planets and industries which
have upon them ia their corollstions
revenue tariffs which raise by reasonable
taxation revenues which we need. II
we do not do this aud are won away
from it by the fascination of the word
free we will 6ud ourselves 10 a quand-
airy of deficits with interest bearing
bond issues quick upon their heels.
Our declarations and the conditions
alike require something more than this.
We have declared for gradual reduc.
liOn OF the protective tariffs. No more
would be possible without a declaration,
and DO more is possible with 1t. When
great and widespread system has been
established for years all over the couu.
try, we can not leap out Of 1t by spring
or bound. If we go downstairs at all,
we must 90 down one step at time as
we went up.
1--WE must respect labor. The parties
have been both willing TO add to the
tariff the difference in cost in European
countries, and such 4 tariff would not
orpress the American people, bat con-
serve the interest of all. The farming
class and the mechanical classes would
both share in the benefits, for 1t would
furnish chesply the necessary utensils Of
the farmer"
Mr.. DaOiel condemned the great ex.
trsvsgsnce in government expenditures,
especially those devoted to war purposes
1.-The nation ought 10 be prepared for
war" he said, "but there ought not to
be a great waste Of money based on such
absurd scsres as have been worked up