The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-08

government TO assume, Dut 1 an
strongly convinced that no other prae-
teal solution of the difficulties pre-
sented b. the approximation of civil
servants can be found than that OF
the system of civil pensions.
The business and expenditures OF
the government have expanded enor-
morsly since the Spanish war. but as
the revenues have increased in nearly
the same proportion as the expendi-
lures until recently. the attention OF
the public and of those responsible to
the government has not been fastened
upon the question of reducing the cost
of administration. We cannot. in view
of the advancing prices of living. hope
to save Honey by reduction in the
standard of salaries paid.
Indeed. IL any change is made in
that regard an increase rather than
a decrease will be necessary. and the
only means of economy will be in
reducing the number of employees and
in obtaining a greater average effici-
ency from those retained in tire service.
Close Investigation and study needed
to make definite recommendations in
this regard will consume at least two
wears. I note with much satisfaction
the organization in the senate of a
committee on public expenditures,
charged with the duty of conducting
such an investigation. and ! tender
to that committee all the assistance
which the executive branch of the gov
eminent can possibly render.
Frauds in Customs.
-, Al.
discovery of extensive frauds in the
collection of the customs revenue at
New York city. in which number of
the subordinate employees in the
weighing and other departments were
directly concerned. and in which the
beneficiaries were the American Sugar
Refining company and others. The
frauds consisted in the payment of
duty on underweights of sugar. The
government has recovered from the
American Sugar Refining company all
that II is shown to have been defraud.
ed Of. The sum was received in full
OF the amount due. which might have
been recovered by civil suit against the
beneficiaries or the fraud, but there
was an express reservation in the con-
tract of settlement. nv which the set
Element should not interfere with or
prevent the criminal prosecution of
everyone who was found to be subject
TO the same.
Criminal prosecutions are now pro-
ceedins against number of govern
mcnt officers. The treasury depart
ment and the department of justice are
cxerting every effort to discover all
of the wrongdoers. including the off,
GERS and employees of the companies
who have been privy to the fraud. 1t
would seem to me that an investiga-
ton Of the frauds by congress at pres
ent., pending the probing by the treas
ury department and the department Of
Justice, as proposed, might by giving
immunity and otherwise prove an em-
barrassment in securing conviction of
the guilty parties.
Clauses in Tariff.
Two features of the new tariff
act call for special reference. BY vir-
tue of the clause known as the "maxi-
num- and minimum" clause. 1t is the
duty of the executive to consider the
laws and practices of other countries
with reference to the importation into
those countries of the products and
merchandise of the United States. and
the executive finds such laws and
practices not to be duly discriminatory
against the United States. and the
minimum provided in the bill are to
go into force.
Unless the president makes such a
finding. then the maximum duties pro-
vided In the bill.s that is, an increase
of % per cent. ad yalorem over the
minimum duties are to be in force.
Fear has been expressed that this
power conferred and duty imposed on
the executive is likely to lead to a
tariff war. 4 beg tn express the hope
and belief that no such result need be
anticipated.
The discretion granted to the exeeu-
tive by the terms ''undu,y discrinin-
atory' IL wide. In order that the max
imum duty shall be charged against
the imports from a country. II is neces-
sary that he shall find on the part of
that country. not, only determinations
in its laws or the practice under them
against the trade of the United States,
but that the DETERMINATIONS found shall
be undue. that is. without good and fair
reason. I conceive that this power
was reposed in the president with the
hope that the maximum duties might
never be applied in any case. but that
the power to apply would enable the
president and the state department.
through friendly negotiations. TO Sc
cure the elimination from the law and
the practice under them of any for
eign country of that which is undnly
discriminatory. M arr is seeking a
tariff war or a condition in which the
spirit Of retaliation shah be aroused.
The New Tariff Board.
The new tariff law enables me to
appoint tariff board to assist me in
connection with the department of
state in the administration of the mini
mum and maximum clauses of the act.
and also to assist officers of the gov
eminent in administration of the en-
tire law. An examination Of the law
and understanding of the nature OF
the facts. which should be considered
in discharging the functions imposed
upon the executive. show that l have
the power To direct the tariff board to
make a comprehensive glossary and
,v.HN rIt..