The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-29
IlFT WOULD slLvE
ANGRY INSURGENTS
CONTINUED from First Pare,


ried out in full. by one congress. Ger
tainly II all It's promises are executed
In N administration. 1t will be with
In q proper time. rhe present con-
Eress has not only fulfilled many party
pledges, but has by It's course sci
higher the standard OF parry rcspon
sibility for such pledges than ever be-
fore In the history OF American
parties. Hereafter those who would
catch voters by declarations In favor
of aliuring remedial legislation Will
not max them except with much
more care as to the possibility of its
enactment. In view Of the history
Of the present congress. the return of
q republican majority in the next
congress may well inspire confidence
that h pledges still unredeemed will
be met and satisfied
Let US consider summarily the pro-
misses made and the legislation enact
ed by the present Congress: First and
Of primary Importance was the prom
Use to revise the tariff in accordance
with the rule Laid down in the plat
form, to-wit: that the tariff on arti-
cles imported should be equal TO the
difference between their cost of pro-
duction abroad and that cost in this
country. including a reasonable profit
fer the domestic manufacture. A
very full investigation-fuil. At least,
as such investigations have beer con-
Quoted in the past-was made by the
Ways and Means Committee Of the
louise TO determine what rates should
be changed to conform TO this rule. A
reduction was made In 6S4 numbers
and an Increase in some zee. while
1850 remained unchanged. Tie bill
was amended in the Senate. but the
proportion OF increases 10 decreases
was maintained. When ! signed the
bill ! accompanied ms approval with
the following memorandum:
II have signed the Payne tariff bill
because ] believe 1t to be the result
of a sincere effort on the part of the
Republican party 10 make a down
ward revision. and to comply with the
promises OF the platform as they have
been generally understood. and as /
interpreted them In the campaign be-
fore election.
The bill is not a perfect bill. or a
complete compliance with the prom
ises made strictly interpreted. but a
fulhllfnent free from criticism In re-
spcct to a subject matter involving
many schedules and thousands OF arti-
cles could not be expected. 1t suffices
to say that except with regard to
whiskey, liquors and wines. and in
regard to silks and as 10 some high
classes OF cottons-all OF which may
be treated as iuxarfes and prope sub
5ects OF a revenue tarin-there have
been very few increases in rates. There
ave been a great number OF real de-
creases In rates. and they constitute
a sufficient amount TO justify the tate
ment that this bill Is a substantial
downward revision. and a reduction of
excessive rates. This is not q free
trade bin. 1t was not intended TO
be. The Republican party did not
promise to make a free trade bill. II
promised to make the rates protective,
but to reduce them when they exceed
ed the difference between the cost OF
production abroad and here. making
allowances for the greater normal pro-
lit on active investments here. l be-
lieve that while this excess has not
been reduced in a number OF cases.
in a great majority the rates are such
as are necessary to protect American
industries. but are low enough In case
OF abnormal increase OF demand. and
raising of prices. 70 permit the posi-
htlity OF the importation of the for
eign articles and thus TO prevent ex-
Gesgive prices.
The power granted TO the execu-
tive under the maximum and mini
mum clause may be exercised to se-
" $500 @fh So ~ ~ AA%e
have been .aterposed by foreign gov
ernnents .i the NAY OF undue and
unfair discrimination against Amer
lean merchandise n products.
The Philippine tarin section ! have
struggled to secure for ten years last
past. and 1t gratifies me exceedingly
by my signature to give Ii the effect
OF law. 4 am sure IL viii greatly in
crease the trade between the two
~.z "a. q n -x..A al d.
up h Philippines in a. healthfui
prosperity.
The administrative ciusces of the
bill and the customs court are ad-
Riirabiy adapted TO secure a more uni
form and a more speedy inai con-
~struction of the meaning of the law.
The authority of the President to
nsc agents To- assist him
cation of the maximum and minimum
section of the statute, and to enable
officials TO administer the law, gives
a wide latitude for the acquisition, un-
der circumstances favorable TO its
truth. of information in respec, to the
price and cost of production of goods
at home abroad, which will throw
much light on the operation of the
present tariff n be of primary i'm
portance as officially collected data
upon which uture executive action
n executive recommendations may
be based.
Corporation Tax Is just
The corporation tax Is a Just and
equitable excise measure. which it Is
hoped will produce a sufficient amount
to prevent a deficit and which Incl
dentaIly will secure valuable statistics |
and information concerning the many
corporations of the country. N will
constitute IN important step toward
that degree of publicity and regula-
ton which the tendency in corporate
enterprises In the last twenty years
has shown to be necessary"
This fairly states the effect of the
bill. The bill has been criticized for
certain OF its rates and schedules.
Some OF the criticisms are just and
some are wide OF the mark and most
unjust.
The truth lis that under the old pro-
tective idea the only purpose was TO