Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-11
NATIONAL TARIFF COMMISSION
By FREDERIC J. FIASKN.

| for tariff commission. MANY protec.
uonists think that tariff commission
| would tend to keep the country's tariff
policy unsettled.
| On the other hand, it is urged in sup
port OF a tariff commission that the COM
m!ttees or Congress which are concerned
with the framing and shaping of a tariff
| Dill have no time to delve into the facts
| needed to form the basis of a tariff meas
ure. 1t is urged this is something that
| can only be done by experts Supporters
or tariff commission are fond of citing
the troubles of the Senate finance COM
mittee and of the ways and means men,
bers in considering the Wilson-Gorman
tariff bill.
Senator Vest of Missouri said he looked
pack on the debates and conferences as
nightmare from which he had never re-
covered He and Representative Wilson
each other with faces painted with iodine
and looking like Indians ready for the
war path; Senator Harris broke down
from overwork. while Senator Jones was
attacked by angina pectoris and had to
traVel abroad to get relief
while Congress apparently is getting
close TO the point of providing for a per-
Similar Body commi ssion.
Established in 1882. s anS II, mea mot t by
first of the tariff commission idea in the
United States. AS far back as 1882. in the
administration of President Arthur, a
tariff commission was established. 1t
made careful study of various phases
OF the tariff question lasting about five
months, and then made a lengthy report
vi iorty-nve pages to Congress Accom-
peHyihs us report was a tariff BILL Con-
sress then proceeded to enact the tariff
Jaw OF 1883 1t ignored the recommends
IONS or the commission to a large ex-
tent, though 1t did not do so entirely. as
Is sometimes alleged.
Inc fact that Congress did not follow
many OF the recommendations of the com
MISSION OF 1852 often has been cited as q
reason why the commission plan in prac-
tice Will not be found successful. To this
tue reply OF the advocates of the COM
MISSION Is that It is not now proposed to
nave commission report recommends
tirely to Congress.
In the last session Of Congress provision
Mas mace Tor the existing tariff board
resident Taft has appointed thereto Prof.
a;,,,,, emery. James B. Reynolds and
ata n. sanders. This board. with the
alu OF numerous experts, is now investl-
gazing production cost here and abroad.
II VIII from time to time report to the
PRESIDENT the cost of articles which, have
~ oeecuVe tar1n Its purpose is not to
make recommendations It's exberts ar.
pussy In the field finding out costs from
tne DOCKS of manufacturers and from
otner available sources. It is Sometimes
said the board is investigating prices. but
IL Is costs, not prices, for which the board
Is searching. 0]u
Some of the other countries Of the
world have tariff commissions. Germany's
tariff commits
Other Nations sion is the one
Hava ro,n~;.,;. most often cited
Kept body of thirty highly trained men
at work nearly six years investigating
every phase of the industry of tn, EN-.
ptre that might bear upon the tariff. Tn.
commission in turn consulted more than
200 trade and industrial experts. The
tarins of other countries were explored
and the entire Inquiry was most exhaust
I'VE. The present German tariff was
built on the work of that commission.
Japan and France are among the nations
which have adopted the tariff Commission
plan.
TOmOrrOw-HISTORI SCOURGEs.
1.-THE PLAGUE.