New-York tribune., 1910-01-28
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

washington. jan 27.-The President has
.eaeheo the conclusion that ii is time for
tne republicans TO take an active part in
the discussion of the increased cost of
iiVing and no longer to permit the Demo-
craS TO monopolize this discussion, and
tlus 10 mislead the people as to it's causes.
especially TO represent the tariff as the
chiel FACTOR. Mr.. Taft has taken this SUBJ
9ect up with some OF the ablest debaters
IN the party and has sought to impress on
then the advisability of making careful
study OF the effect of the tariff and of ex-
posing in speeches in Congress the fallacy
or the Democratic reasoning. The speech
OF representative Boutell on the tariff and
It's effect in promoting the prosperity of
the south. and especially of Texas, was the
hrst gun in this campaign, and others
equally effective will follow The President
is convinced that the Payne tariff bill
plays no part in the increased cost Of liv-
ing. II it can be shown that it does he
VIII lend willing ear TO arguments that
certain schedules should be reduced, but
MS examination of the Democratic argu-
ments and of the instances in which in
creases of price can be shown has con-
WINGED him that his political opponents are
talking nonsense, and that this can easily
be demonstrated
There has been some anxiety expressed
regarding the prospect that this country
would not be adequately represented at the
Argentine exposition next summer, and es-
pecially has this been regarded as a mis-
fortune in view of the success of the Secre-
tary of State in obtaining for American
shipbuilders the contract for two Argentine
battleships and for the ordnance for the
Argentine torpedo boats which are being
constructed in Europe. Those who have
entertained this anxiety will be relieved to
know that the urgent deficiency BILL which
is now in conference. carries appropria-
ton of S59,eo0 for this purpose. The pro-
vision is not strikingly generous. and. as is
too often the case, it is being made at the
eleventh hour, but from the point &C view
of the administration it is d case of better
late than never. Secretary Knox hopes
that American manufacturers and pro-
ducers will realize, the advantages Of the
opportunity to extend their trade afforded
by this exposition and will make generous
provision for representation.
The extent to which competition as a
factor in promoting just and reasonable
rates for transportation, especially by
rail, has been eliminated from all prac-
teal consideration of the subject, is
SIrlhlnEly Illustrated Dy lLe report OIL IIlS
National Waterways Commission. The
commission takes issue with the assertion
OF President Taft that Improvement OF
the waterways will lower railroad rates,
at least 10 the extent of pointing out that
the hazard of investing in systems OF
water transportation are generally too
great where the competition Of the rail-
roads is uncontrolled While admitting that
water routes have a tendency to reduce
rail rates, the commission points out the
various methods whereby the railroads de-
stroy the business of water transporta-
ton and thus nullify the effect It con-
cludes that rail rates must be controlled
by some means mere effective and trust
worthy than water competition, that the
railroads must be compelled 10 make just
joint rates. but to accept at reasonable
rates freight delivered 10 them from water
TRANSPORTATION companies, and that where
the railroads have reduced their rates they
should not be permitted TO raise them
unless they can prove that such increase is
warranted by conditions other than the
elimination Of water competition. The
commission also suggests stricter applica-
ton OF the law, 70 the end that rail rates
may not be reduced for the sole purpose
of eliminating water competition.