The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-12-08

The schedules Of the rates Of duty
in the Payne tariff act have been sub
jected TO great deal Of criticism
some Of 1t just, more Of It unfounded,
and to much misrepresentation. The
act was adopted in pursuance Of
declaration by the party which Is re-
sponsible for II that a customs bill
should be a tariff for the protection
Of home Industries. the measure Of the
protection 20 be the difference between
the cost Of producing the imported ar
ticle abroad aud the cost Of producing
It NJ home, together with such add.
ton to that difference rs might give
reasonable profit 10 the home pro
Queer
The basis for the criticism OF this
tariff il that In respect 10 a number
Of the schedules the declared measure
was not followed. but a higher differ
encc retained or inserted by way OF
undue discrimination In favor OF GER
tain Industries and manufactures.
Little. II any. OF the criticism OF the
lUIlH has UNtH ullNNANh htNA'N
protective principle above stated, but
the main body Of the criticism has been
based on the charge that the attempt
10 conform to the measure OF protec-
ton was not honestly and sincerely adj
hered to.
Tariff Board.
The time in which the tariff was pre-
pared undoubtedly was so short as TO
make It impossible for the congress
and It's experts TO acquire the informa'
ton necessary strictly to conform to
the declared measure In order to avoid
criticism OF this kind in the future and
for the purpose of more nearly conform
ing TO the party promise congress at Its
last session made provision at my re-
quest for the continuance OF board Gre
ated under the authority OF the maxi
mum and minimum clause Of the tariff
bill aud authorized this board TO expend
the money appropriated under my d.
rectlOn for the ascertainment OF the
cost Of production at home and abroad
Of the various articles included In the
schedules Of the tariff. The tariff
board thus appointed and authorized
has been dlligent in preparing Itself for
the necessary investigations. The hope
Of those who have advocated the use
Of this board for tariff purposes is that
the question Of the rate of a duty i'm
posed shall become more OF business
question and less Of n political ques-
ton, to be ascertained by experts OF
long training and accurate knowledge
The halt in business and the shock to
business due to the announcement that
new tariff bill is TO be prepared and
put In operation will be avoided 10y
treating the schedules one by one as
occasion shall arise for a change In the
rates Of each and only after a report
upon the schedule by the tariff board
competent 10 make such report
II Is not likely that the board will be
able to make a report during the pres
ent session Of congress on any OF the
schedules. because a proper examina-
/ tlOU Involves IN tiiiA aAAANhhN "
detail and a great deal OF care, but
hope TO be able at the opening Of the
new congress. or at least during the
session Of that congress. TO bring 10
its attention the facts in regard 10
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 limiting the cOnsidera
ton in tariff matters to one schedule
at time. because II n proposed amend
mcnt to a tariff bill IS TO involve y
complete consideration Of all the
schedules and another revision then
we shall only repeat the evil from
which the business Of this country has
IN times past suffered most grievously
by stagnation and uncertainty. pend
ing a resettlement Of a law affecting
all business directly or indirectly. and
the effect Of which no wise business
man would ignore in new projects and
new investments.
am strongly convinced that we
need in this government just such an
Office and that 1t can be secured 10y
making the tariff board already ap
pointed a permanent tariff commission.
with such duties. powers and Sioln
ments as 1t may seem wise 10 congress
to give. IL has been proposed 10 en-
large the board from three to FIVE. The
present number is convenient. but !
DO not know that an increase Of two
members would be Objectionable.
Need For Additional Officers
In order that the militia Of eacn
state should be properly drilled and
made more like the regular army. rec
ular army officers should be detailed
to assist the adjutant general Of each
state in the supervision Of the state
militia. But this is impossible unless
provision is made by congress for p
very considerable increase in the mum
Der Of company and Geld officers Of
The army.
Panama Canal.
At the instance Of Colonel GOethals.
oq7oor In ohorrra NJ