The Washington herald., 1910-10-17
THE TARIFF COMMISSION.
President Needs Congress that
VIII Actually Help Him Out.

PREM The Detroit News
The asI;s.ion for tariff commits
sion. IL must be remembered. did not
begin with the present administration,
nor with the previous one Tariff
students saw long ago that not only
was the tariff unscientlhcally adjusted
by two and fouT-year Congressman
from time to time. but that the day
approached when party and national
disaster would attend on this haphaz-
ard way Of dealing with one Of the
most vital of our national problems
For something like fifteen or twenty
years Nelson ". Aldrich successfully
combated all movements toward a
tariff commission. and mis- very last
act was to stab the proposition. even
while President Taft held il in his
hands as a peace Offering TO the coun-
try.
Aided BY the intens'-- Of public
opinion on the questions OF the tarin
President Taft did the country a sig
nal service by bringing the matter OF
the tariff commission to the fore at a
time when its enemies were busy with
something else But those enemies
quickly dropped their business 10 knife
the plan, for such a plan contained
within II the fate Of all future revisions.
The President wanted a commission"
appointed" mote the terms with GER
tain well specified powers resembling
those Of a duly constituted court Of in
quiry. Mr. Aidrich first pared away
many OF the powers. Mr.. Aldrich then
pared away much Of a semblance Of a
commission. Mr.. AIdrich lastly pared
away all powers 10 appoint" For days
he fought 10 change the word appoint
20 the word employ old hair
splitter that he is, The upshot OF the
matter is that President Taft was al
lowed 10 spend $4,000 20 employ" GER
tain men 20 do whatever they can do
Ihey can't make any one show books
they can't compel witnesses 10 attend in
quiTes. they can't do anything in a
way betting the dignity Of representa-
lives OF the President. Any revenue Of
hcer is clothed with more power than
the Presidents distinguished "em-
pioyes thanks 20 Mr.. AIdrich.
Ihus The tariff commission idea rests
thus far only in the intention Of Presi-
dent Taft and a few who have. in spite
Of other differences. consistently fought
with him for this reform No one. Of
course, doubts the determination OF the
President 10 make the commission a real
commission. sppolntive nor employed
and clothed with powers sufficient o. en-
able IL TO do its work. II the President
shall be able To undo Mr.. AIdrlch's work
IN the next session u Congress. be viii
have accomplished one or the biggest at
tempts Of his administration
The thing 10 30 al present is to keep
the people alive 70 The fact .hat the
tariff commission is not al that IL should
be. and thar the President needs a con
gress % enable him 10 put tile plan far
beyond the Interference OF men like Nj
There has been so much COM
mandatory remark about the commission
that il is common error that il is com
piete. thousands have lain back in COM
Portable belief that all our tariff troubles
are really over. This is wrong. The
President still has the big tight before
him, and he needs all the help he can get
None but those who favor the tariff COM
mission as an authoritative and rerma-
1ent body should be sent % Congress
this fall