The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-05-17
TARIFF T!NKERERS
OPERATING IN.
THE DARK
Hampered, Too, BY Split in DEM
ocratic Ranks
FREE TRADE GAINS STRENGTH
Tariff for Revenue Only Congressman
Find Themselves In the
Minority.

Washington, May 15.-Some cores
pendent, writing from here in the past
few days, has described congress this
session as working under forced
draught" This accurately describes
the session, in a way. AS concerns
the House there has been an appear
ance of spontaneity and to some SUI
perficial extent enthusiasm in its ac-
ton, but the fact is that the demo
Gratis did not want an extra session.
They were in no wise prepared for it,
and the forcing of it at only four
weeks notice entirely upset their pro-
gram of months OF careful preparation
in the way of carefully testing their
own sentiment and arriving at good
working agreement
This has developed as the session
has progressed. Issues broadly nat
ional in their scope which only neces-
STATED an application of the general
principles of democracy were Endorsed
in legislation with little internal fric-
ton, but when it came to the details
of the tariff the lack of a hard and
fast working agreement was plainly
in evidence
Possibly no such agreement could
be made which would have binding
force and effect. In any event, it
would require months of personal con-
ference and feeling OF the ground.
This the president did not give them,
and they were forced into the fight i'll
trained and poorly armed. Notwith-
standing, it must be admitted that
they have thus far done exceeding
we'll in impressing the country with
their honest intention of giving the
people the sort of legislation which
it has seemed to demand, and of be-
ing equal to the unexpected emergen-
cy.
There is nothing gained for ones
party by denying this. A Republican
sacrifices nothing by giving the polit-
ical adversary the credit to which 1t
is plainly entitled. Fairness and COM
mon decency requires the truth con
corning a political opponent who is
honestly and patriotically doing the
best he knows how and is giving the
best that is in him. In essential res
poets we may not believe that the
democratic theories of government
will be best for the country if worked
out in application, but at least we can
give honest men the credit of the
right intentions and absolute honesty
of purpose.
Republicans OF all shades yet be-
lieve in the principle OF adequate pro
lection to home industries Whatever
disagreement there may be hinges
largely on the definition OF 'ade'
quate." Most if not all republicans
today interpret it as tariff protect
ing labor and it's industries to the
extent of the difference in the cost OF
production here and abroad. Gener
ally speaking, democracy repudiates
the protective principle, but in leav
ing it that party at once splits. The
democratic House leaders today favor
the collection of duty only sufiicien
to pay the running expenses OF the
government economically administer
ed" These are the tariff for rev
enue" democrats, and it was with this
intention in the minds of the leaders
that the present House set out on 1T
exceedingly dangerous mission OF re
vising the tariff.
According to such program as the.
had time to prepare they generalize'
the intention of scaling down presen
duties somewhat in the way of
horizontal reduction" until barrel
enough was left TO pay governmental
expenses after such expenses had beel
revised by them by what they ma
be pleased to consider the cutting GU
of all extravagances." Their propos
ed housekeeping, now barely unde
way, would disclose to them, whe
completed, just how much of the pres
emit income they could spare Thei
program was to spend the summe
in committee investigations, with n
session of congress on their hand
and when the time arrived next viii
ter for them to revise the tariff the
would be able with the committee r
ports before them to tell just no
much of the present income could
spared.
But the president raised hades wit
that best laid PLAN" and they hay
been compelled to hastily operate
the patient without being given
opportunity to diagnose the case al
ascertain just how much cutting
can undergo and yet survive. Thu
far it may be admitted that they ha'
done as we'll as anybody could wi
was compelled to operate in the dar
Besides the old original tariff-fC
revenue democrats, as noted aboV
there has always been a faction {
voted to out and out free trade. Z
til a comparatively recent date the
have not been so conspicuous in t
part councils, but during these lat
months these extremists have groV
to the extent that they are apparent
able to wag the dog. The tariff
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