Semi-weekly herald. [volume] (Durango, Colo.) 1907-1917, 1910-11-24
DEMOCRATS AS OsSTRUc-
TIONiSTS

In his message to congress two
weeks from next Monday Mr.. Taft
win urge larger power for the tariff
board which the Republicans created
In 1909. This is known not only from
what he said last summer but from
some recent remarks which he has
made to the Republican leaders. But
one OF the Democrats purposes after
entering power is said to be the with,
drawal of all appropriations for that
body. so that II will die from suspend,
ed animation. This would be in ac.
cordance with the position which they
took toward the board when first
urged by the president. Championed
drich in the senate the proposed body
OF tariff experts had hard fight TO
establish itself. Almost to a man the
Republicans favored it. But the Dem
ocrats opposed it. It is even limited
that. in the coming short session of
congress. they will work against the
continuance OF the small appropria-
lion which was made for the support
of the board by the last session. Mr.
Taft will ask for a larger approprpia-
ton. and also for a larger scope OF op-
GRAFTON. He will have the support of
regulars and insurgents in his own
party. as he had when the board was
created. As the Republicans are still
in control. the proposition will be ell,
acted, Notwithstanding the obstacles
which the Democrats may raise
against it. It is well for the country to
be warned beforehand. however. of the
fate which the Democrats intend. IN
the congress OF 19ll-13. to hand out to
the commission of tariff experts
Here is a characteristic instance o.
Democratic inconsistency While that
party has pretended to want tariff re
vision. it opposes the Republican plar
tn render the revision scientific. wher
II comes. And this is the only plan
in which scientific revision can be
had. 1t must be remembered that tho
Republican tariff board usurps no pow
e. of congress. 1t is an advisory anc
not a legislative body 1t gathers in
formation as to the conditions at homo
and abroad. which congress has Meth
err the time nor the patience TO collect
and makes a report which viii brint
that information before congress anC
the country, together with its recon
nendations in the way of legislation
1t does not shape the tariff. That Wort
congress. but 1t presents facts. which
were necessarily lacking at the tim,
ali the tariff revisions heretofore have
taken place, except that OF 1888 Tho
Republican tariff act of that year
was based upon the information gath
| cred by the tariff commission o.
| 1882, which was recommended BY
President Arthur, and created by L
Republican congress. In the pres
ent instant the Republican purpose
is to make the tariff board per
manent body, composed OF experts
who refused TO be influenced by pc
| litioal or sectional considerations Ev
cry Republican in the present con
| gress fayors the retention of that
| body, and every one OF them. or al
most every one OF them, wants its
powers to be enlarged, as the presi
dent urges. But the Democrats ar,
determined 10 kill the board IL they
can. and as IT can not continue &
financial support be denied 1t. and as
this support is dependent upon the
consent of both branches of congress
the outlook for 1t after the Repub-
Leans lose the house next March il
not bright.
As tariff revision is the leadinr
measure on the Democratic pro
grsmme after ii enters into control oil
the house few months hence, its at.
titude toward the tariff board be,
comes of large interest to the coun.
try, Those who remember the Demo
cratic tariff bills of the past third OF a
century. or who have read OF them
know the spirit in which the aver.
age Democrat approaches that big
question. William r. Morrison. lonc
the chairman OF the committee on