The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-07-30
THE CONFERENCE REPORT
ON THE TARIFF BILL.

ON THE TARIFF BILL.
The real analysis of the tariff legis-
lation, from the very beginnings, has all
come as a result of studies by the little
group Of insurgent Republican Senators.
They have managed to give the country
a very excellent understanding of She
Payne House bin and of the Aldrieh
Senate bill. But now a new measure
is substituted for both Of these; the
conference committee bill.
In justice to themselves and to the
country which has come to regard them
as the real iIluminators of the subject,
the insurgent Senators ought to insist
upon opportunity fairly and fully to
discuss the new bill. They need not
occupy many days with their talk; but
they should take as many as are neces-
sary. There should be no such scheme
OF practical closure as would be in
volved in a rule for continuous ses-
sion. The country is not so anxious
to get this legislation passed as will
jngly to forego the privilege of a look
inside the package.
No matter whether, as a matter of
politics and public policy, they are
going TO vote for or against this report.
those independent legislators who have
earned repute for honesty and ability
by their effort to give a fair view, ought
now 70 adhere to their policy Of turn
ing in the light. Let them be honest
with the public and with themselves.
Let them be warned that they will lose
much OF what they have gained in
public confidence, If now they shall un-
dertake to convince the country that
this bill is all it ought to be OF all the
Republican party promised it should be.
It is nothing OF the sort. 1t is a vastly
better bin than the measure which
passed the Senate, and for its improve
ment the country owes a large obliga-
ton to President Taft It viii. have no
hesitation in giving him full recog-
milton for the good fight he made with
The conference. 1t knows that the con
ference was packed, deliberately and
scandalouslv, on the House side. in
order 10 tie his hands, and that what
be gained was gained by sheer force
OF determination and personality.
But, ON the other hand, the very
demonstration which the President has
given of ms ability to force improve
lnent of a bad bill out OF an unwilling
conference, serves 10 call attention To
The bad features still remaining in the
bill. and to enforce the conclusion that
Il the President lad taken up the task
of reforming the legislation long before
he did the measure would have been
vastly different and better than it IT,
Take the sugar schedule If the Presi-
dent had taken a hand during the week
that schedule was under debate ia the
Senate, he could easily have changed
the six votes which would have ampu-
fated the iniquitous Dutch standard
Take the wooden schedule. The con
ference did not attempt TO do anything
by way of reform at this point, yet it
is CONCEDED to be the worst thing in the
measure The Presidents influence
vigorously brought TO bear at the right
time during the Senate's debate, could
have forced reforms here.
The cotton schedule, the earthern.
ware duties, the rates on iron and steel
and many other features, would have
been very different and far more de
feasible If the President had brought ID
bear the same vigorous insisteuce wher
the bin was before the houses, that he
did after it had reached conference
The lumber rate. Sl25, on which tn,
conference has agreed, viii not satisfy
the country. The President could hav,
forced free lumber through the House
and secured, at highest, a duty OF 81
81 the conference report.
To call attention to these things j.
not to disparage the work the President
has done with the conference. 1t Is
simply to join in the general regret
that, having proved himself able 20 d,
so much, he did not start sooner anC
do more.
This tariff measure viii go 10 a pub
lie competent, for the first time ac
curately 70 appraise rs merits and de
merits. There never was a time whel
the country knew one quarter as muci
about tariff and tariff making as il