The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-02-05

strongly opposed - any inquiry that
IS one-sided- He believes that any
investigation 10 be worth while must
be an honest one He feels that any
other kind OF an investigation would
be worse than useless. and that the
people would take no stock IN it what
ever.
Wants Tariff Included.
The President thinks an Investigation
that ignores the part the tariff may
play in making the cost OF living higher
would be condemned by the country
from the outset and might far better not
be made He feels that an attempt 70
conduct such an investigation would be
rebuked by the people at the polls and
that It would be politically dangerous
As President Taft IS understoos 90
look at the agitation over the cost q
living. there must be an honest investl-
cation without reference to what Is hit
by it. II the ta-fn is absoIved from
blame. IT win be as he sees IT so much
the better II It is not. that viii be
much preferable TO any course Of action
which can give foundation 10 the notion
OF "A tariff vhitevvash.r
No public agitation in recent years has
50 alarmed the leaders IN the Senate
and House as the one now on over the
high cost Of living The ramifcations Of
the agitation are seemingly endless Let
ters are literally pouring into the CAPT
Jol, 10 the members Of both houses,
making complaint
Effect On Party Feared.
As things are going now, the ceiling
on Ihe subject IS certain TO have an ad-
verse effect on the Republican party in
tho next elections President Taft I'm
derstands this and the leaders in Con
gress fear IT, So do the members gen
orally. But the President understands
more clearly apparently than some Of
the high tariff leaders at the Capitol
the folly Of trying to conduct "a tariff
whjtewash' Unde- the guise Of a real
investigation into the cost Of Iivin--
The fact the President is anxious for
any inquiry 20 be broad, sweeping. and
fair IS not the only obstacle the Senate
and House leaders have struck, more es-
peciaIIy those in the House A pIan
was well matUred 10 have the WAYS
and Means Committee. which is dom
mated by high tariff men, conduct the
si.-cstiEation for the House But this
had not gone Tar when Il deveIoued
that insurgents and Democrats as well
as not a few Of the regulars, were deep
Iy dissatisfied with any such plan. WAYS
are now being devised to force amend
ment Of any resolution which may De
reported to have the Ways and Means
Committee conduct an invest igatIOn
InsurgeuJ members have been con-
ferring about the situation, and when
the resolution comes TO the floor. If II
ever does, it viii meet with vigorous
attack
Said To Be Afraid.
TAX IS afoat to the effect the or
sanization has been afraid TO have the
resolution brought out less II be seized
on by iusUrg gents and Democrats. and
made the occasion for once more I'D
setting the Speaker and his friends. as
was done when the BaIlinCer-Pincho
investigation committee was being made
up One plan now being talked OF IS
10 have a joint committee conduct the
investigation. Another is to leave il
to the Senate under the Lodge rescIu-
ton.
Disturbed by the talk Of "a tariff
wlitsvasn. The leaders are now say
ing that any investigation VIII be broad
and comprehensive. and that il VIII re-
y not merely on the information gath
cred by whatever committee has charzS
Of #, but on such help as can be OBJ
tanned from the departments Thus the
mass Of information in the hands Of
the Department Of Agriculture and of
Dor viii be utilized The data collected
by the Department Of Agriculture on
meats, il Is said, will be made use Of.
and so viii the information the De-
partment Of Commerce and Labor has
sent 10 the Senate under the Crawford
resolution
one OF the interesting phases Of the
situation Is that the President has been
bent for some time il having the work
fncs Of the tariff fully explored BY the
tariff board This has met bitter oppO-
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