Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-12-07

tariff is that in respect to a number
of the schedules the declared measure
was not followed. but higher differ
ence retained or inserted by way of
undue discrimination in favor of GER
tain industries and manufactures.
Little, II any, of the criticism Of the
tariff has been directed against the
protective principle above stated, but
the main body of the criticism has been
based on the charge that the attempt
to conform to the measure of protec-
ton was not honestly and sincerely adj
hered to-
Tariff Board.
The time in which the tariff was pre-
pared undoubtedly was so short as to
make it impossible for the congress
and its experts to acquire the informa-
ton necessary strictly to conform to
the declared measure In order to avoid
criticism oe this kind in the future and
for the purpose of more nearly conform
ing to the party promise congress at its
last session made provision at my re-
quest for the continuance of board Gre
ated under the authority of the maxi
mum and minimum clause of the tariff
bill and authorized this board to eXpend
the money appropriated under my d.
rection for the ascertainment of the
cost Of production at home and abroad
of the various articles included in the
schedules OF the tariff. The tariff
board thus appointed and authorized
has been diligent in preparing itself for
the necessary investigations. The hope
of those who have advocated the use
of this board for tariff purposes is that
the question Of the rate of duty i'm
posed shall become more Of a business
question and less of a political ques-
ton, to be ascertained by experts Of
long training and accurate knowledge.
The halt in business and the shock to
business due to the announcement that
put in operation will be avoided by
treating the schedules one by one as
occasion shall arise for a change in the
rates Of each and only after a report
upon the schedule by the tariff board
competent to make such report.
1t is not likely that the board will be
able to make report during the pres
ent session of congress on any of the
schedules, because a proper examina-
ton involves an enormous amount Of
detail and great deal of care, bat
hope to be able at the opening of the
new congress, or at least during the
session of that congress, to bring tO
its attention the facts in regard to
those schedules in the present tariff
that may prove to need amendment.
The carrying out Of this plan, Of
course, involves the full cooperation
Of congress in limiting the considera-
ton in tariff matters to one schedule
at time, because If proposed amend
ment to a tariff bill is to involve q
complete consideration of all the
schedules and another revision then
we shall only repeat the evil from
which the business of this country has
In times past suffered most grievously
by stagnation and uncertainty, rand.
ing a resettlement Of q law affecting
all business directly or indirectly, and
the effect of which no wise business
man would ignore in new projects and
new investments.
The inquiries which the members of
the tariff board made during the last
summer into the methods pursued by
other governments with reference to
the fixing of tariffs and the determine
ton Of their effect upon trade show
that each government maintains an Of
flee or bureau, the officers and en-
ployees of which have made their life
work the study of tariff matters, Of
foreign and home prices and cost of
articles imported and the effect of the
tariff upon trade, so that whenever a
change is thought to be necessary In
the tariff law this office is the source
Of the most reliable information as to
the propriety of the change and its eff
feet.
/ am strongly convinced that we
office and that it can be secured by
making the tariff board already ap-
pointed a permanent tariff commission,
with such duties, powers and emolu-
ments as it may seem wise to congress
to give. 1t has been proposed to en-
large the board from three to FIVE. The
present number is convenient, but |
do not know that an increase Of two
members would be Objectionable.
l recommend that congress establish
commission to determine as early as
practicable comprehensive policy for
the organization, mobilization and ad-
ministration Of the regular army, the
organized militia and the volunteer
forces in the event of war.
Need For Additional Officers.
One Of the great difficulties in the
prompt organization and mobilization
Of militia and volunteer forces is the
absence Of competent officers Of the
rank of captain to teach the new army,
by the unit Of the company, the bust.
ness Of being soldiers and Of taking
care Of themselves so as to render ef-
fective service. This need Of army
officers can only be supplied by pro-
visions Of law authorizing the appoint
ment OF a greater number of army Of
fcers than are needed to supply the
commands Of regular army troops now