New-York tribune., 1909-09-14
THE TARIEF R0ARD.

In selecting the experts who are 10 act as an
advisory board in the administration Of the new
tariff law President Taft has shown clearly
that he intends to make that board an impor-
tant factor in future tariff legislation. The men
whom ne has chosen are we'll equipped to Sc
cure the information needed 10 guide the ad
ministration in adjusting commercial relations
with countries asking tariff favors Of US but un-
willing to give US equally favorable treatment
They are even better equipped 10 gather and
digest material showing the exact effect on
domestic industry OF the new tariff schedules
and measuring the success with which those
schedules apply the rule laid down in the last
Republican national platform-that the pro-
lection TO American industry should equal the
differential in cost Of production here and
abroad and afford in addition a reasonable
margin of profit to the domestic producer. The
chairman of the board is a professional econ
omist of high reputation. One of the other
members is the editor of an agricultural jour
nal who has been especially interested I'm de-
veloping markets abroad for our surplus agri
cultural products. and the third member, as
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in charge
of customs. has had wide practical experience
in the Interpretation Of tariff laws and the
elucidation Of knotty questions Of classification
and valuation. It is a hoard on which the
President can rely for work Of permanent eco
nomic value.
The Tribune has never doubted thai the
Payne law gives the board full power TO inquire
into values at home and abroad, or that its in
quries can be legitimately conducted so as 10
show just what is the differential OF cost which
the protective duty laid on an article ought 70
cover. Mr.. Aldrich, the foremost authority in
Congress on the details and purport of the
l. +ha% ND &c he
President In deciding 10 avail himself Of
grant Of authority perhaps not fully understood
by the opponents of rational tariff legislation
in the two branches. who may have thought
that they had successfully tied the hands OF
the administration, Mr.. Taft will have the
hearty support OF a large majority Of the voters
of both parties. The plainest lesson taught by
the tariff debates Of the last session was the
need OF exact knowledge on which 10 work.
The Republican majority was trying 70 apply
rule whose validity no one disputed. But there
were no satisfactory data to guide in the work
ing out Of the principle The diferential of cost
varied according to the wishes and interests OF
those who claimed 20 be able 10 determine II,
and the fair minded legislator could only do
his best TO compromise conflicting conjectures.
If we are TO have scientific tariff we must
first be in possession Of clearly established facts
ana Llhh Apply Nehh''e Auie i'i>e '-'
tanned in the last Republican national platform
without hesitation or favoritism.
The new tariff board has at present a rather
indefinite statGs But we believe that it will
he put on a permanent basis and take high
rank among the agencies Of the federal govern
ment II 1T accomplishes the work which the
President and the public expect Of il. Its estab-
lishment was the most substantial gain made in
the new tariff law. for it holds out the promise
Of new and better era in tariff legislation. The
President is wisely turning the tariff law to
use in curing its own imperfectiOns.