Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-22
.LAUDS TARIFF LAW
Taft Finds It the Best in Many
Respects.
POINTS TO GOOD FEATURES
Senator Aldrich Hears His Praise in
Speech at Providence.
PLEDGES KEPT OR UNDER WAY
Expresses the Hope That Agree
ment With Canada Will Be
Reached.

Senator Aldrich seated at his left hand
President Taft again last night earnest
~ defended the Payne-Aldrich tariff bill
; In his address at the annual dinner of
the New England Manufacturing Jewel
,ers and Silversmiths Association. Mr..
) Taft received q most enthusiastic greet
Ing.
The President also expressed the hope
that 1t would not be necessary to apply
the max mum tariff rates against Canada
thus bearing out the reports of the Al
bany conference, that the negotiations
with the Dominion government had taken
a more favorable turn.
81 can't go on the floor of the House
or Senate" said the President, $50 l
have to accept opportunities like this to
express my views. At the recent extra
session of Congress we passed new
tariff bill which has been the subject,
/ many say of considerable discussion. But
the proof Of the pudding is in the eat
| ing. Seven months of the new tariff
| law have proved number of things.
| Best Revenue Getter.
"First 1t is the best revenue getter
| we ever had.
Second. 1t has by the returns shown
that it has the largest free list
| Third. 1t has shown that the rates
Of the Dingley bill have been materially
| reduced
Fourth BY the creation Of customs
| court 1t has provided a means for the
speedy and just administration OF the
customs law.
Fifth. 1t has provided free trade with
| the Philippines measure of Justice
which should have been given as far
| back as 1900.
Sixth. 1t has furnished to the execu-
|
minimum principle, q leverage to secure
from all foreign countries fair treatment
for American products without any undue
discrimination, evidences of which had
been cropping out in the tariff laws of a
number of nations We are almost
i through with our negotiations under this
clause of the law. and l very much hope
mat we shall be able to conclude without
application Of a maximum rate to any
country. At any rate, this provision OF
a new law has enabled us to secure for
the American trade freedom from the
Determinations from which at times in
the past 1t has suffered.
Seventh. new tariff law has pro-
vided permanent board. 1t is my inten-
ton soon to ask OF Congress an appro-
priation of from 100000 to $25O,OOO to
enable this board to get at the truth
concerning the protected industries of
this country. SO that when we again have
occasion to revise the tariff we will have
the boards record Of facts to be refer
red to.
Prosperity and High Prices.
Under this new law we have proceeded
to great prosperity. Wage earners have
all they can do, and at unusually high
rates Of pay. There has been some COM
plant about high prices. but I do not
think they have been so high as to cause
suffering, Our opponents have been at
| <n nhor
new tariff law. But their high prices
have been in those industries with re-
spect to which the tariff rates were
either lowered or altogether removed.
ITO put the blame on the poor old
tariff bill is, to use a moderate express
sion, unjust"
President Taft then proceeded to re-
view the proposed legislation he has re-
Gently recommended to Congress, running
over the details of the various measures
in practically the same language as his
Rochester speech Of last week He de-
clared he had attempted as much as he
could to carry out the Roosevelt policies.
He asserted also that he was attempting
so far as he could to carry out the
pledges Of the party platform He re-
ferred to the postal savings bank bill,
conservation, statehood and antt-injunc-
ton bills.
! Good Test of Fairness.
LAS both the labor unions and the man.
ufacturing interests seem to be opposed
to the anti-injunction BILL he said. ut
must be q fair measure, and I hope it
will pass
The President declared that because he
had attempted to convey his Views to
Congress I'm some detail" there had
again arisen talk of executive usurpation-
| 1.-The danger of executive usurpation In
this country" he added, us rather the
subject of the fervid imagination OF the
political orator than of furnishing a real
| basis of fear as to the stability OF our
institutions"
Referring to the passage Of corporation
tax laws as one of the things that
should be cited as bold politics. Presi-
dent Taft said he had always favored
such a tax. but created a roar of laugh
ter when he added that certain elements
in this community supposed to exercise
great influence, Senator'S Aldrich and
Wetmore. were not just enamored of IT,
Bankers Fears Groundless.
1.-The republican party agreed to pass
law for postal savings banks. and 1 am
very hopeful that when the law comes
into effect it Will be shown that the
bankers fears are utterly groundless.'
When he had concluded his speech
President Taft was presented with a
magnificent gold casket as a souvenir of
his visit. Following the ovation he had
| received at the depot when he arrived
and from the cheering crowds on the
streets this token of esteem seemed
deeply to affect him. In acknowledging
the gift he said:
Il want to say that I value most
highly this evidence of your generosity
and your confidence. The presidency
is not an easy burden. and ones spirit
sometimes lags and hopefulness some
times disappears And it is at such
time that the memory of this evidence
of your good will is dear, and despite
| the fact that, however much you may
have to criticise, you will not, at least
misconstrue any motives that may re-
lieve me from entire disbursement
under those conditions"
| Aldrich Pledges Support.
Senator Aldrich followed the Presi.
dent. He spoke only few minutes
but his utterance was notable in that
he pledged loyal and earnest support to