Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-12-07

was not followed. but a higher differ
ence retained or Inserted By way Of
undue discrimination In favor Of Ger
tain Industries and manufactures.
Little. II any, Of the criticism Of the
tariff has been directed against the
protective principle above stated. but
the main body Of the criticism has been
based on the charge that the attempt
to conform to the measure Of protec-
ton was not honestly and sincerely ad-
hered to.
Tariff Board.
The time In which the tariff was pre-
pared undoubtedly was 50 short a. to
/ make II impossible for the congress
and its experts to scquire 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-
guest for the continuance Of board ere
afed under the authority Of the maxi
mum and minimum clause Of the tariff
bill and authorized this board to expend
the money appropriated under my d.
rection 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 diligent in preparing itself for
the necessary investigations. The hope
Of those who have advocated the use
Of this board for tariff purposes Il that
the question Of the rate Of q duty I'M
posed shall become more OF q business
question and less Of 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
q new tariff bin Is to be prepared and
put In operation VIII be avoided by
treating the schedules one by one A.
occasion shall arise for change In the
rates Of each and only after a report
upon the schedule BY the tariff board
competent to make such report.
II Is not likely that the board viii be
able to make report during the pres
ent session of congress on any Of the
schedules, because proper examina-
Z ton involves an enormous amount Of
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 to
Its 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 limiting the eousidera-
ton In tariff matters to one schedule
at time. because II a proposed amend
ment to a tariff bill Is to involve
complete consideration Of all the
schedules and another revision then
we shall only repeat the evfl from
which the business Of this country has
In times past suffered most grievousiy
/ by stagnation and uncertainty. pend
ing a resefflement 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
The inquiries which the members OF
the tariff board made during the last
summer into the methods pursued By
other governments with reference 10
the fixing Of tariffs and the determine
tion of their effect upon trade show
that each government maintaius an Of
fee or bureau, the officers and en-
ployees of which have made their life
work the study Of tariff matters. Of
foreign and home prices and cost Of
articles imported and the effect OF the
tariff upon trade. 20 that whenever a
change Is thought to be necessary In
the tariff law this ONCE II the source
Of the most reliable information rs to.
the propriety of the change and It's ef-
feet.
am strongly convinced that we
need in this government just such an
Office and that 1t can be secured by
making the tariff board already ap-
pointed a permanent tariff commission.
with such duties. powers and emoiu-
ments as IL may seem wise to congress
to give II has been proposed 10 en-
present number Is convenient. but
do not know that an increase q two
members would be Questionable.
recommend that congress establish
commission to determine as early as
practicable comprehensive policy for
the organization. mobilization and ad-
ministration Of the regular army. the
organized militia and the volunteer
forces In the event Of war
Need For Additional ofsicsrs.
One Of the great difficulties In the
prompt organization and moolliza ton
OF militia and volunteer forces il the
absence Of competent officers Of the
rank Of captain to reach the new army.
by the unit OF the company. the bust
ness OF being soldiers and of taking
care Of themselves so as to render sf-
fective service. This need Of army
officers can only be supplied by pro-