The Paducah evening sun., 1910-08-29

the cost OF production abroad ant
here. making allowance for tbs
greater normal profit on active in
vestments here. believe that whilC
this excess has not been reduced IL
a number OF cases, in a great major.
ity the rates are such as are neces-
sary to protect American Industries
but are low enough. in case of alb
normal increase of demand. and rails
ing OF prices, TO permit the posi-
bility OF the importation of the
foreign articles and thus TO prevent
excessive prices.
TariH Not Perfect.
THE power granted 20 the execu-
tive under the maximum and mini
mum clause may be exercised TO Sc
cure the removal OF obstacles which
have been interposed by foreign
governments in the way OF undue
and unfair discrimination against
American merchandise and products
The Philippine tarff section
have struggled to secure for ten
years last past, and It gratifies me
exceedingly by my signature TO give
IL the effect of law. / am sure u
will greatly increase the trade be
tween the two countries. and II will
do much TO build up the Philippines
in healthful prosperity.
The administrative clauses OF the
bill and the customs court are ad-
mirably adapted TO secure a more
uniform and a more speedy final con-
struction OF the meaning OF the law
THE authority to the president "a
use agents to assist him in the appli'
cation Of the maximum and mini
mum section of the statute. and e
enable officials to administer tbs
law, gives a wide latitude for the ac
QUESTION. under circumstances favor
able to its truth. of Information IL
respect to the price and cost OF pro
OF goods at home and abroad
which Will throw much light on III
operation OF the present tariff and b
OF primary importance as officiall,
collected data upon which future
executive action and executive rec
concentrations may be based.
THE corporation tax is a just ant
equitable excise measure. which Il 4
hoped will produce sufflcien
amount to prevent deficit anS
which incidentally will secure valu
able statistics and Information con
cerning the many corporations OF th'
country, and will constitute an i'm
portant step toward that degree o.
publicity and regulation which th'
tendency In corporate enterprises IL
the last 20 years has shown 70 b'
necessary
Criticism Unjust.
This fairly states the effect OF th'
bill. The bill has been criticised 70
certain OF its rates and schedules
Some OF the criticisms are wide o
the mark and most unjust.
The truth Is that under the oil
protective idea the only purpose wa
to make the tarif high enough 4
protect the home industry. The eS
cess OF the tariff over the differenc
in the cost OF production here am
abroad was not regarded as objec
tionable because II Was sippose
that competition between those wh'
enjoyed the high protection woul'
keep the price for the consume
down to what was reasonable for IN
manufacturer. The evil OF excessiv
tariff rates. however. showed itsel
in the temptation OF manufacture
TO combine and suppress competl
tion. and then 10 maintain the price
so as TO take advantage OF the eNces
OF the tarif rate over the differenc
between the cost OF productio
abroad and here.
The Payne tariff bill Is the frs
bill passed by the Republican part
in which the necessity for reducln
the rates to avoid this evil has bee
recognized. and IL Is therefore a d.
clded step In the right direction an
II ought TO be accepted as suci
On the whole. Il was a downwar
revision. particularly on articles G
necessity and on raw materials. Tn
actual figures on the first year
operation OF the law demonstrat
this. II must also be remembere
that the tarlff rates IN the new lp1
on imported liquors. wines and silk
were increased substantially oye
the Dingley rates, because thes
were mxuries and IL was intended {
increase the revenue.
The charge that the present tarii
is responsible for the Increase In IN
prices OF necessities Is demonstrabl
false, because the high prices. wit
very few exceptions, AFFECT article
in the tariff upon which there wa
no increase in rates or In respect &
which there was a substantial reduC
ton.
Tariff Board Disinteresfed.
Perhaps more important than an
one feature OF the operative part o
the tarin law is that section whicl
enables the executive TO appoint
tariff commission or board to secur
the needed information for the prop
er amendment and perfection Of IN
Jaw. The difficulty in fixing the prop
er tariff rates in accord with th
principle stated in the Republlcai
platform, is in securing reliable eyi
dence as to the difference betwee
the cost of production at home an
- -. - ....auotfou abroad tn