The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-08-29


tect the home industry. The excess OF
the tariff over the difference or the
cost OF production here and abroad was
not regarded as objectionable bee
IL was supposed that competition be-
tween those who enjoyed the high pro-
lection would keep the price for the
consumer down TO what was reas0na-
BILE for the manufacturer. The evil OF
excessive tariff rates. however, showed
itself in the temptation OF manufactur-
srs TO combine ana suppress compeu-
tiOn and then 10 maintain the prices
so as 10 take advantage OF the excess
OF the tariff rate over the difference
between the cost OF production abroad
and here.
Reduction of Rates.
"The Payne tariff bin is the first
bill passed by the Republican party
in which the necessity for reducing
rates to avoid this evil has been rec
ogniZed. and il Is therefore a decided
step in the right direction. and IL ought
10 be accepted as such. On the whole,
II was downward revision, particu-
larry on articles OF necessity and on
raw materials. The actual figures on
the first years operation OF the law
demonstrate this. It must also be re-
membered that the tariff rates N the
new law on imported liquors, wines
and silks were increased substantially
over the Dingley rates, because these
were luxuries, and it was intended TO
increase the revenue.
Charges Are False.
1.-The charge that the present tariff
is responsible for the increase in the
prices OF necessities is demOnstrably
false, because the high prices, with
very Few exceptions. affect articles IN
the tariff upon which there was no in
crease IN rates or IN respect TO which
there was a substantial reduction
Ferhaps more important than any
one feature OF the operative part OF
the tariff law is that section which
enables the executive 10 appoint tar
III commission or board TO secure the
needed information for the proper
amendment and perfection of the law.
Amend the Tariff.
When the commission completes its
work, either on the entire tariff or on
any Of the schedules in respect TO which
issue mas arisen, and the work OF the
commission shows that the present ts~-
If Is wrong and should be changed, /
expect 10 bring the matter 10 the at
tentiOn or the Congress with q view 10
as amendment OF the tariff in that
cot course this viii be impracticable
unless Congress itself shall adopt the
parliamentary rule. as 1 hope il will
mat PHI 70 amend one schedule or
the tariff may not be subject to a mo-
ton to amend by adding changes in
other schedules.
Won't Disturb Business.
1T Will thus be possible to take up a
single schedule with respect 10 which
II IL probable that great majority OF
each house viii be unpreiudiced to ad-
init the evidence and to reach a fair
conclusion and this method will tend
20 avoid disturbing business conditions.
For these reasons il seems 10 me that
all ublicans-cOnservati pro-
Eressive and radical-may we'll abide
the situation with respect 10 the tariff
until evidence now being accumulated
shalI justify changes in the rates; and
that II Is much better for them TO vote
Tor Republicans than 10 help create
Democratic majority which would be
utterly at war with the protective prfn-
Slple, and therefore would have no use
lpr The findings OF the tariff commits
sion, as we may certainly infer from
the solid Democratic vote in the pres
ent Congress against the necessary ap-
preparation Tor the commissions work.
From Deficit 20 Surplus.
"One great virtue in the new tariff
law. including the corporation tax. is
shat, ,aken with the current effort OF
the administr atiOn 10 keep down or
reduce governmental expenditures and
20 reform the method Of collecting the
customs revenue il has by its revenue
producing capacity turned a deficit in
The ordinary operations OF the govern
uent OF SOS. 600 for the year end
ing June 30. 1893, to a surplus in the
first run year OF the law ending Aug
Ost 5. 1910. Of S16.O00.0O0. From a rev
enue standpoint then, there can be no
controversy over the effectiveness of
the new law. Generally Spealzing A
full measure OF industrial activity in
production. transportation and distri-
button has accompanied the operation
OF the new law.
Again, the present law In its cor
poratiOn tax. imposes a new kind OF
tax which has many OF the merits of
an income tax. It Is one OF the most
useful and important changes in our
revenue laws. ss the future viii show.
IN spite OF the criticisms heaped upon
y al its passage, no party responsible
for revenues or anxious 70 retain every
means OF legitimate supervision OF cor
poratiOns viii repeal il.
Interstate Commerce.
THE next most important work of
the present Congress was the passage
OF the amendment 10 the interstate
commerce bill. The bill as at present
in force is an excellent bill. II is not
enacted in a spirit of hostility to rail-
roads. but submits them 10 a closer and
more effective supervision by the in
terstate commerce commission 10 avoid
injustice in their management and con-
troll
The important part that railroads
play as the arterial circulation in the
business OF the country. the million and
3 half or their employees and the mill
lion OF their stockholders, the impor-
lance OF their purchasing power as az
fecting the pros perity OF general bust
ness-all require ia the public interest
that no unfair treatment should be ac-
corded them But / am glad 10 note
that the railroad managers have ac-
quiesced in the fairness OF the present
bill and propose Loyalty 10 comply with
its useful provisions. II was support
ed by the whole Republican party in
Congress and that party is entitled 10
credit for its passage. The whole Dem
ocratic strength was exhibited against
II in both houses II was a perform