The Washington herald., 1910-04-25
NEEDS MORE POWER
Tariff Board to Probe Cost
of Production.
WILL SETTLE THE AGITATION
IL Plans Are Carried Ont the Adj
ministratiOn Bill VIII Authorize
Most Comprehensive Inquiry Ever
Undertaken by GOvernment-Presi-
dent General Revision soon.

That the powers Of the existing tariff
board will be so broadened to give that
body authority 70 make extensive invesu-
cations into cost OF production here and
in foreign countries is assured as a result
Of recent conferences between Senate and
House leaders.
The tariff commission plan" was
bone OF contention between the regulars
and the insurgents during the fight on
the Aldrich-Payne law. A compromise
was effected, satisfactory only in part to
the insurgents. in the form of the tarin
board that Is now operating under the
direction OF President Taft
In a recent message TO Congress the
President asked for an appropriation OF
S25OOOO 20 enable the tariff board 10 con-
tinue its inquiries Announcement has
already been made by Representative
Tawney. chairman OF the Committee on
Appropriations Of the House, and Repre-
sentative Walter I. Smith, one OF the
House leaders. who is a member OF the
Committee on Appropriations, that the
sundry civil bin. now being framed. will
authorize the appropriation desired by
the President In addition II will broaden
the powers OF the board as TO lay low the
present agitation against the tariff law.
Into Cost Production.
II present plans are carried out. the
administration will authorize the most
comprehensive inquiry into cost produc-
tion that has ever been undertaken by
the government.
r~ocf5avt Tar Inec Iorir Tor m
other general revision OF the tariff before
the expiration Of his term. There is a
fair prospect. however. Of piecemeal re-
vision along certain lines, dependent upon
contemplated Investigations by the tariff
board.
Il is the understanding the first inquiry
10 be made by the tariff board under It's
enlarged authority will be into the woollen
Industry. Present plans call for the en-
ployment Of experts in getting at the
facts relative to the cost Of wool
The existing tariff board was created
by the President under the authority OF
section . which provides FOR the i'm
position Of a maximum tariff on the
products OF countries that unduy disc-im-
mate against the United States. in max
ing inquiries TO determine what Countries
might be discriminating against the
United States. the President was author
lied TO employ such persons as may be
required.
Will silence Demand.
Advocates Of a tariff commission plan D.
however. have continued the agitation
and the leaders believe that II such q
board is created the demand for revision
will be slenced until the government ha.
obtained full information on the subject
The provision in the sundry civil bill
will specifically authorize inquiries into
cost production.
The proposed broadening OF the scope
OF the board may be the basis of a better
understanding between insurgents and
the regulars. The Payne-Aldrich tariff
law is at the bottom of the present dis
content and dissentlon in the party, and
Republican leaders acknowledge that Il
the two factions are 10 be brought To-
gether in any way for the fall election, i
must be through concession on this ques
ton