The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1909-04-27
Tariff Bnreau or Taritf Board?

Tariff Rureaa or TariE Board?
The fight for permanent body OF
tariff Investigators has finally mar
rowed down to the question Of form.
That some sort of commission will
be created during the present SEES
sion of congress is settled. Senator
hldrich is now quoted as having told
his colleagues on the finance COM
mittee and others that he fayors a
plan to establish a body OF inyesti-
gators, and his colleague are en-
tirely willing to leave the matter to
him.
The sole remaining question is the
kind Of board. The friends and adj
yocates OF commission, including
the two hunderd prominent business
associations which sent delegates to
the indianapolis Tariff Commission
Convention, consider the fight only
half won. They appreciate the sin
pendous advance made in gaining
even an acknowledgment of the need
of a board of investigators, hut
they insist that a make-shtft board
will not answer and must not be ac-
cepted.
The tariff bureau plan originated
by Senator Aldrich is by no means
acceptable TO the advocates OF tariff
reform. ut is now generally known
that he wishes to limit the conces-
sion to the creation of a bureau
made up OF representatives from the
Bureau of Foreign Relations, of the
State Department, the Bureau OF
Customs, from the Treasury Depart
ment, and the5sBurea9s OF Manufao-l
turers and of Statistics from the DE
partment OF Commerce and Labor.
This joint Bureau will have no power
save to secure information for the
President to utilize in the applica-
ton of the maximum and minimum
policy and to DE on hand in case
congress desires tarin enlfghten-
ment.
This is a far cry from the plans
the commission advocates. They
believe in scientific protective tar
IN, one based upon the difference
between the cost of production at
home and the cost abroad. Such a
home and the cost abroad. Such a
tariff must in the nature of things,
be matter of expert painstaking in
vestigation and statistics involving
constant adaptation to meet the
shifting conditions of Industrial life.
A tarlff bureau made up Of gov
: eminent employees such as Senator
Aldrich proposes. will not he able
to pass upon costs OF production
Experience in manufacturing is alb
solutely necessary, and at least one
or two members of any board must
nave practical knowledge.
There is only one right solution Of
the American tariff problem-tbe
formation OF a permanent tribunal
Of men equipped with expert knowl-
edge of American industries vet
bound to no special interest: men Of
prominence and character such as
will command the confidence a, the
people, yet dependent in no wav for
their livelihood or standing upon
political leaders.
Henry R. Towne, president of the
Merchants Association, Of New York
epitomized the situation by saying;
cit is evident already that me
new tariff bin. whatever it's final
form, viii not satisfy popular da-
mani. This Implies the danger or
continued tariff agitation. and the
demand for another tarin bill NEXT
year, whereas, if provision is made
now for the Intelligent and impartial
study Of tariff facts Wy a permanent
board, 1t Is possible that the people
win be content to bear with a new
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