The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-13
Hopes to Have Measure Be
come Law Before March
4 Next.
BELIEVES COUNTRY
FAVORS THE PLAN
New Commission Is Expected to
Be Aid to Republicans
in Future.
By IUDSoN c. WELLIYER.


leadership OF the Senate, In behalf Of
more progressive legislative program,
when he extracted from Senator Aid
rich the assurance that the Finance
Committee is planning 70 bring out
,aTin commission bill in the immediate
future
Senator Beverage is a bit fl a hurry
about his tariff commission business
He has been pushing the matter for
three years, getting his lay mostly in
jibes and jests from the regular man
ayers or the Senate. but wIthaI being
cheered along the way from time to
time BY the assurances that the country
was with him
Not unnaturally. the Senator would
like to see his tariff commission bHl
written into the statute books before
the end Of his term, March ( next. and
accordingly at the earliest opportunity
he directed an inquiry to Senator Aid
-ich. who, nouinalIy at least. viii con-
tinue head Of the SSlatoriaI scheme OF
things until that time as 10 when some
action might be expected
Senator Beveridge pointed out that the
Finance Committee had had some years
Of opportunity 20 fanliHarize itself with
the details OF his plan, and indicated a
feeling that with reasonable diligence q
might have managed by this time 10
make up its mind
Expects Early Action.
Senator AIdrfch replied with the as
surance that he expected the committee
very early 20 take action favorable &c
a bill which would satisfy Senator Bcv-
eFidge. This announcement was not IL
itself sensational. because Il was Init
mated some days ago that the election
returns had convinced the Finance Cont
rnittee OF the prOpriety Of making some
concession to the country's feelings on
the subject OF tariff commission.
As the story goes Senator Lodge
wants 70 extract as much credit as pos
sole out OF this change Of front. ia
the hope that IL VIII help him in his
campaign for reelection in Massa-
chusetts. Whether the Finance Com
mittee and the Senator from Massachu-
sets viii have sufficient self-restraint
10 keep their dignity on straight while
Senator Lodge goes through the per
Torrance Of reporting a tariff commits
sion bin. IS a matter OF some wonder
ment- The committee as a whole, and
Senator Lodge in particular. have been
untiring in their opposition TO the tar
il commission plan.
When the Payne-AIdrich bill was pass
ed a concession was made to Senator
Beveridge- IN the provision OF the pres
ent tariff board That board PRACTICAL
~ had no authority and no significance
until the appropriation bills OF last ses-
sion were passed. when just enough OF
IeEaIized function was attached TO the
board to give IL a comfortable excuse
for existence.
President Is Determined
President Taft. however, has been
determined TO make the most of what
he had, and under his direction the
board, whose members likewise have
been perfectly willing to magnify their
authority, has been doing some work.
albeit Of more or less doctrfnaI legal
ity.
Senator Beveridge Is anxious that a
real, statutory tariff commission shall
be created before he SoeS out Of office,
and is assured that the Finance Com
rnittee measure will be generally salts
factory to him.
In substance. his bill. as introduced
on February 3, 1905. provides for a com
missien of seven. appointed by the
President; one member to be a lawyer
and specialist in customs law; one 10
bs a specialist IN customs administra-
ton; one TO be familiar with industrial
conditions in foreign countries and with
the foreign tariff law: one to be an
economist and stsiSticIsn, who shall
also be a specialist in tariff matters;
and three to be identified with the pro-
ducing interests Of the country.
The members shall be appointed for
seven years, at a salary OF $500
Duties of Commission.
The commission is to study the cost
Of production at home and abroad with
reference to fixing the tariI at such
point that It shall represent the differ
ence between costs OF production at
home and abroad Its findings shall be
submitted to Congress for its guidance
In tariff making
The commission IS given the largest
powers in securing information, being
authorized TO take testimony, admins
ter Oaths, and call for books and pa
pers-
JockeyinE for position in connection
with the forthcoming measure The
regulars in the Senate would be glad
to make IL helpful to Senator Lodge,
II possible. and II is reported that Mr..
Ledge has asked to be permitted 20
report the bill in the hope that IL viii
neIp him to reelection If this hap
pens and II Senator Aidrfch and other
oId-line statesmen support it. Demo-
Gratis, who are opposed to the whole
plan of tariff commission, Will be
ven sure to make the most of their
opportunity 20 point out Republican in
cOnsistencies-
The utterances OF Mr.. Lodge and 9th
er members OF the Finance Committee,
who, in fact. have been enthusiastically
opposed to the measure, viii be dug
out of the record and used for all they
are worth Senator Beverage is not so
vs.y particular in whose name the leg
gets credit for II. but expresses himself
as determined TO fight to the end of
the session 10 get IL into the law
books
Good Work of Beveridge.
Although he vas defeated in the re-
cent election in Indiana, Senator Bev-
eridgs is regarded as having already