The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-04

10 A bill revising the Dingley act. This
should secure an adequate revenue and
adjust the duties in such a manner as
TO afford to labor and 10 all industries
in this country, whether of the farm
mine or factory, protection by tariff
equal TO the difference between the
cost of production abroad and the cost
or production here. and have a prOvi-
sion which shall put into force, upon
executive determination of certain
facts, a higher or maximum tariff
against those countries whose trade
pohcy toward US equitably requires
such discrimination. 1t is thought that
there has been such a change in con-
ditlOnS since the enactment of the
DiHgleY act, drafted on a similarly pro-
tecuye principle, that the measure of
the taTln above stated will permit the
reduction of rates in certain schedules
and will require the advancement of
few, if any.
The proposal to revise the tariff made
IN such an authoritative way as 10 lead
the business community TO count upon
IT, necessarily haltS all those branches
OF business directly affected and as
these are most important, II diSturbs
the whole business of the country. 1t
Is lmperatlVely necessary, therefore, that
a tariff bill be drawn in good faith in
accordance with promises made before
me election by the party in power. and
as promptly passed as due consideration
VIII permit 1t IS not that the tariff is
more important i'm the long run than
the perfecting Of the reforms in respect
70 antitrust legislation and interstate
commerce regulation, but the need for
action when the revision Of the tariff
has been determined upon. is more i'm
mediate to avoid embarrassment of
business. To secure the needed speed IN
the passage Of the tariff bill, il would
seem wise to attempt no other legisla-
ton at the extra session. ! venture this
as suggestion only. for the course to
b. taken by Congress upon the call of
the Executive, Is wholly within its dis
erection.
DEFICIT-Inheritance Tax Suggested.
In the making OF a tariff bill. the
prime motive is taxation. and the secur-
ing thereby OF a revenue. Due largely
10 the business depression which fol-
lowed the financial panic Of 1907. the
revenue from customs and other sources
has decreased 10 such an extent that
the expenditures for the current fiscal
year viii exceed the receipts by 500
100000 It is imperative that such a
oeflclt shall not continue, and the
trainers OF the tariff bill must Of course
have in mind the total revenues likely
L. be produced by il. and so arrange
the duties as 10 secure an ade0Iate
income. Should II be impossible to do
50 by import duties new kinds Of tax
alton must be adopted. and among these
] recommend graduated Inheritance
tax, as correct in principle and as GER
tain and easy OF collection.
Inc obligation on the part Of those
responsible for the expenditures made
TO carry on the Government. 10 be as
economical as possible, and to make
the burden Of taxation as light as pos
sible. is plain and should be affirmed
~ every declaration Of government pol
ICY. This is especially true when we
are face 10 face with a heavy deficit.
But when the desire 10 win the popular
approval leads 10 the cUtring of Of ex-
penditures really needed 10 make the
government effective, and 70 enable Il
10 accomplish its proper objects. the
result Is As much 10 be condemned as
the waste Of government finds is un-
necessary expenditure. The scrDe of p
modern government in what ID can and
ought 90 accomplish for its people has
been widencd far beyond the principles