Evening star., 1909-05-08
OLD GUARD STANDS FIRM
And the Gentle Public Gets It in the
Neck.
BOOSTERS EXPECT BIG BOOM
Vague General Demands for Down
ward Revision Stand No Show
Against Hunks Of Figures.

Consideration of the tariff bill is being
resolved into a general and vague de-
mand for a reduction Of duties on one
hand and demonstration on the other
hand of the inadvsability Of reduction
when 1t comes to show down on individ-
ual schedules. 1t. is an unequal contest
The demand for reduction is general in
character. not specifying rates. The re-
sistance is specific and based upon figures.
On the one side is the public at large,
imbued with the idea that reduction
should be made. On the other is the
manufacturer. equipped with figures to
show that is should not be made in his
particular schedule.
The men who advocate reduction speak
in broad sense. The men who oppose
it produce statistics and facts to back up
their position. When the agitation for
tariff revision started the tariff experts in
Congress said, Where will you begin to
cut?" They knew this question would
come up as a practical problem to be
solved once revision was undertaken, and
they wanted to postpone revision as long
as possible for that reason.
How You Gwine to Do Itp
Practical demonstration is now being
given of the direct application of that
gests a reduction on some particular
item-barring steel-immediately there is
marshaled an imposing array of testi-
mony from practical business men show
ing why the reduction would be hurtful
or ruinous to the business. The re-
visionist, baked at this, turns to an
other schedule. but finds the old guard
at attention there also. There are no
breaches in the wall and no bastion is
left unguarded
Occasionally a Dolliver or a Cummins
gives specific rates (which they claim
might be reduced. Against that claim
the tariff makers put the testimony of
know whether this bill Is to be made
on the republican platform OF protection
| to home industries or the democratic
theory of tariff for revenue.
The case for the plaintiff. the demander
| OF revision downward, is being argued in
| the main along theoretical lines. The case
| for the defendant is In the hands Of ex-
perts. An appeal to the court OF last re-
sort. the people at the polls is threatened
| by the plaintiffs. They say the people
| know what they are driving at in general.
even IL they don't know how to get it in
particular.
Don't Scare for a Cent.
This threat does not alarm the men who
are" responsible for framing this tariff
| figure that as the proof of the pudding is
tho eating. the test Of the popularity Of
the new law will be ITS practical effect
upon business and employment. They
believe that the bill will cause business
boom, the dawn Of which is already tint
| ing the east. They believe that the tariff
discussion will serve to convince the
thoughtful public that the demand for re-
vision downward was largely in the ma
Iture Of a popular fever, the cure for which
lay in the showing in opposition made by
the manufacturing industries.
| The political effect of the bill is dis
counted in their own favor by the tariff
makers. They do not see how the repub-
lican party can suffer If this bill-as they
are confident it will-starts great revival
of industry all over the country and main
tains the farmers prices on his products.
They calculate that the consumer, COM
planning against something. he hardly
knows what. will be less querulous when
he finds that he has the price in his
pocket, the result of general good con-
ditions of business.
| They'll Take a Chance.
| At any rate, whatever the political eff
feet, it is certain that the responsible
men in the House and Senate are set In
their determination to make stiff protec-
| tive tariff law. They are willing to take
their chances with the public because
| they think they can make 1t plain that
the material interests of the country will
| be benefited They will set forth this
showing, this practical demonstration.
against the theoretical demands of poll
ticians.