The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-12-06

! lafin IS LHut III respect 10 Il number
of the schedules the declared measure
was not followed. but 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
1 PROF. tive principle above stated. but
| the lain body of the criticism has been
based on the charge that the attemp!
! to conform to the measure OF protec.
ton was net honestly md sincerely ad.
hered to.
Tariff Board.
The time in which the tariff was pre-
pared undoubtedly was so short as tc
make it impossible for the congress
and its 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 It's
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 and authorized this board to expend
the money appropriated under my d.
rection for the entertainment 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 is that
the question Of the rate Of a duty i'm
posed shall become more of business
question and less OF political aues-
ton, to be ascertained by experts Of
long training and accurate knowledge.
1he halt In business and the shock to
business due to the announcement that
a new tariff bill Is to be prepared and
put in operation will be avoided by
treating the schedules one by one as
occasion shall arise for change in the
rates of each and only after report
upon the schedule by. the tariff board
competent to make such report.
1t 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 proper examina-
ton involves an enormous amount of
detail and 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
It's 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 considera.
ton In tariff matters to one schedule
at time, because il proposed amend
ment to a tariff bill is to involve a
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 resettlement of law affecting
all business directly or indirectly, and
the effect of which no wise business
man would ignore in new projects and
new investments.
Line inquiries which the members of
the tariff board made during the last
summer into the methods pursued nv
other governments with reference to
the fixing of tariffs and the determine
ton OF their effect upon trade show
that each government maintains an of.
nee 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. so that whenever n
change is thought to be necessary in
the tariff law this Office is the source
Of the most reliable information as To
the propriety of the change and its eff.
feet.
am strongly convinced that we
need in this government just such an
office and that it can be secured by
making the tariff board already an.
pointed permanent tariff commission.
" - ->SNa NutACs, HONeTS ana e1nOlu-
ments as 1t may seem wise to congress
TO give. 1t has been proposed to 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.
recommend that congress establish
a commission to determine as early as
practicable comprehensive policy for
the organization, mobilization and adj
ministration OF the regular army. the
organized militia and the volunteer
FORCES In the event of war.
Need For Additional Officers.
One of the great difficulties In the
prompt organization and mobilization
OF militia and volunteer forces fs the
absence OF competent officers of the
rank of captain TO teach the new army.
by the unit of the company. the husi.
ness of being soldiers and of taking
care OF themselves so as to render eff
fective service. This need OF army
officers can only be supplied by pro-
visions of law authorizing the appoint
ment of greater number Of army of.