Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-24
FURTHER REVISION OF TARIFF
IS FAVORED BY PRES. TAFT.
Sounds the Keynote for Coming Congress
sional Campaign--Stands by Present
Law as Best We Have Had, but Is
Convinced 1t Can Be Improved.

Beverly, Mass. Aug 33.-President
Taft's keynote for the coming Con-
gressional campaign became known
here tonight The President will ia
vor a further revision of the tariff.
While he is still convinced that the
Payne Aldrich law is the best tariff
the country has had up to this time,
he has at last reached the conclusion
that there is decided room for i'm
proyement.
Mr.. Taft does not propose that bust
ness shall upset by another wholesale
revision. but ne viii recommend to
Congress that individual schedules in
the tariff system be taken up sepa-
rately and be disposed Of on scien-
ltifc basis. The new revision is 10 be
based upon the findings Of the tarlf1
commission as to the cost Of produc-
ton at home and abroad. Only fair
profit is TO be allowed the American
producer. "Extortionate and unrea-
sonable profits. the President de-
clares, are to be tolerated no longer.
The President has stated these facts
and has outlined his position in detail
in the letters he has sent to Repre-
sentative Mckinley of Illinois for pub
location in the Republican Congress
sional campaign textbook The letter
was mailed from Beverly yesterday af-
ternoon The time Of making II pub
lie has been left entirely to the judS-
, ment Of the committee.
Political observers regard this move as
about the shrewdest that has been made
during the present administration II Of
fefs an excellent opportunity for the In
surgen1s and Regulars 70 get together in
| the campaign, and President Taft has
been exceedingly anxious to find GROUND
upon which the different factions could
meet without EMBELLISHMENTS Of each
other.
The principal fight Of the Insurgents
was upon certain schedules Of the tariff
bill President Taft is meeting them
more than half way in admitting that
individual schedules need further re-
vision At the same time he is backing
W the Regulars in that he believes they
did the best they possibly could with the
unrelia bic information that was in their
hands
With the creation Of the tariff board
under the Payne-Aldrich act, and the en-
largement Of its power by provision ol
the last Congress, the President believes
way has been opened 10 put the tariff
on scientific basis for the first time in
the history Of the country
The objection has been raised, and urs-
ed upon the President, that the opening
Of an Individual schedule of the tariff
would mean the possible throwing open
Of the entire tariff act. with another
5ah M S-ir iTr pr f.fAr1Fi-
tons generally
Mr.. Taft proposes TO meet this with
thu recommendation TO Congress that
before any schedule is taken UP for
further consideration. rule shall be
passed both by the House and the
Senate, providing that amendments 70
a certain schedule of the tariff shall
be in order and that any amendments
not german to that particular schedule
shall be declared out Of order. 1t Is De-
loved that with a workable majority
in the two houses Of Congress. and
with the insurgents lined up with the
regulars for the program outlined by
the President. there will De little
or no difficulty in putting through SUCH
d rule The President lakes the
ground that it was impossible to re
wise the tariff Immediately after the
Republican platform was adopted and
to revise it at the same time on basis
of the difference in cost OF production
at home and abroad. He believes that
substantial progress was made IN the
Payne ldrich act and that the new
tariff commission has gotten its IN
quiries well under way, il soon viii De
POSSIBLE to take up the Individual
schedules as fast as the facts and fig
ures are available, and revise them &C
tuaIly on the basis declared for in the
party platform
The President already has had two
conferences with Chairman H. g I'm
si'v Of the tariff commission.
There is every reason 10 believe thai
preliminary report from the commits
sion will be availa bic this fall.
President Tafts plans for the early
fall have been altered and instead OF
going to Washington direct from 81
Paul. as he intended, il was announced
tonight that ne viii return to Beverly
from the Conservation Congress.
Leaving here the 10Th Of September
til President will GO to Washington for
nine days and during that time will
entertain all Of the members Of his cab
met at the White House.
1t is stated that on Sept. rs, p and .
there will be practically three Gays OF
continuous session Of the President
official family. Returning to Beverly
from Washington. the President VIII
remain here Indefinitely. II is predict
cd that his stay may extend TO Nov. L