Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-12-06

CONTINUED from Page 81


gress, to bring to It's 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 lin
fling the consideration in tariff mat
fers as to schedules at a time, be-
cause If a proposed amendment to
tariff bill is involve a complete
consideration of all the schedules and
another revision, then we shall only
repeat the evil from which the busi-
ness Of this country has in times past
suffered most grievously by stagns
tlon and uncertainty. pending set
tlement of a law affecting all business
directly or indirectly, and the effect
of which no wire business man would
ignore in new projects and new in
westments. l cannot too much em-
phasize the Importance and benefit of
the plan above given for the treat
ment Of the tariff. 1t facilitates the
removal of noteworthy defects in an
important law without a disturbance
OF business prosperity, which is even
more important to the happiness and
comfort of the people than the elm
ination of instances of injustice in
the tariff.
The inquiries which the members
of the tariff board made during last
summer into the methods pursted by
other governments with reference to
the fixing of tariffs and the deter
mination of their effect upon trade,
shows that each government main
tains an office or bureau, the officers
and employees of which have made
their life work the study of tariff
matters. dnd cost of articles import
ed and the effect Of the tariff on trade
SO that whenever a change is thought
to be necessary in the tariff law this
office is the source Of the most reli-
abDa information as to the propriety
of the change and its effect. l am
strongly convinced that we need in
this government just such an Office,
and that Il can be secured by making
the tariff board already appointed a
permanent tariff commission, with
its duties. its powers and It's emolu-
ments as It may seem wise to give.
1t has been proposed to enlarge the
board from three to Ave. The pres
ent number is convenient, but do
not know that an increase of two
members would be Objectionable.
Whether or not the protective poll
cy is to be continued and the degree
of prohection to be accorded to our
home industries, are questions which
the people must decided through their
chosen representatives.; bat what
ever policy is adopted, It is clear that
the necessary legislation should be
based ON an impartial, thorough and
continuous study OF the fact.
Banking and Currency Reform.
The method OF impartial. scien-
tifc study by experts as a prelimin-
airy to legislation, which / hope to
see ultimately adopted as our fixed
national policy with respect to the
tariff. rivers and harbors, waterways
and public buildings, is also being
pursued by the non-partisan none
tary commission of congress. An ex-
haustive and most Yaluable study Of
the banking and currency system Of
foreign countries has been completed.
A comparison OF the business meth
ods and institutions OF our powerful
and successful rivals with our own
methods. is sure to bh of immense
value.
/ urge the Importance of a non-
partisan and disinterested study and
consideration OF our banking and
currency system. II is idle to dream
of commercial expansion and OF the
development of our national trade on
scale that measures up TO our
matchless opportunities, unless we
can lay a solid foundation In sound
and enduring banking and currency
system. The problem is not partisan.
Is not sectional-it is national.
War Department.
The army now numbers about s0,-
900 men. OF which about $4,000 are
engaged In the coast artillery.
The general plan of an army OF the
u. 8. at peace should be that OF
a skeleton organization with an eI-
cess OF trained officers, and thus ca
pabIe OF rapid enlargement by enlist
ments, 10 be supplemented In an
emergency by the national guard and
a volunteer force.
There is now pending In congress {
bill repeating the recent volunteer act
and making provisions for the organ
ixation OF volunteer forces In time o.
war. which is admirably adapted Il
meet the exigeneies which would b'
then presented. The passage OF th'
bill would not entail a dollars ex
pense upon the government at thii