Evening star., 1911-01-12
Wants Widest Publicity.


Wants Widest Publicity.
Il believe there is now substantial
agreement between us all as to the details
| of the bills except as to one point. and
| that is as to the publicity to be given the
| findings OF the commission. I personally
| feel that this is q vital feature OF the
| tariff commission plan. I believe it is
essential from every standpoint that the
widest publicity possible be given to the
| findings of the commission.
Every individual member OF Congress
| should have the benefit Of this informa-
tion in determining his vote to any
item. 1t should not be possible for Con-
gress or either branch to deprive him of
that information obtained by a govern
mental agency. The general public is en-
titled to this information, too. Any de-
nial of that is not going to make the
voters think any more highly OF the MEM
bers of Congress voting to refuse to give
it to them.
Publicity will insure an honest effort
to make tariff rates square with the
facts found. and this being done, there
will be but one political question left
for the voters to determine whether the
republican doctrine of protection shall
be continued or the democratic theory Of
a tariff for revenue only be adopted. The
facts to be ascertained are necessary for
the proper framing Of a tariM bill on
either theory.
Every republican who believes in
protective tariff and seeks only just tariff
rates TO all is not afraid Of. such an in
vestigation and the fullest publicity OF
the findings of the commission. No
democrat who sincerely believes in the
tariff doctrine Of his party ought to be
afraid of it.
"The man who insists upon receiving
tariff benefits greater than he is entitled
to may we'll be afraid OF it. For it is
mot protection that he desires. but op-
Iportunity to plunder and oppress
Address Of Mr.. Burke.
Free trade in facts" was the princi-
pie laid down by Representative James
Francis Burke of Pennsylvania.
THE best way he said, ito protect
protection Is to have free trade in facts.
l am in favor of throwing open our in
tellectual ports Of entry to all the knowl-
edge We can secure abroad, and ! am
in favor OF providing scientific methods
for the development of facts and the
spread Of intelligence upon this subject
throughout the country. Light never in
jured a just cause, but suspicion has
bHghted the existence OF many worthy
institution"
Mr. Burke declared he apprehended no
danger whatever for the commission in
the getting Of facts on the business af-
fairs Of the country.
it is vital whether 1t may pry into the
business affairs or not by compelling
the production OF books and papers and
! the attendance Of witnesses for the rea-
the government the fullest opportunity to
ascertain facts would stand self-convicted
before the American Congress as un-
. worthy OF government aid through the In
strumentaliIy Of the tariff"
He concluded with the prediction that
before 1hA nFoSAnf session ~ CSon1roRa
adjourns a permanent tariff board or
commission will have been created.
Facts Easy to Secure.
John Kirby. jr.. president Of the Ma
tional Association Of Mapufacturers. told
Of the experience which that association
has had In obtaining facts on trade con-
ditions abroad. He said:
'The National Association Of Manu-
facturers sent commission to Europe
to investigate and obtain facts and sta
pensation. prevention OF accidents and
kindred subjects, and the gentlemen
comprising that commission brought back
with them record Of the complete sta
various European countries In which such
systems have been in operation. They
went at the job right and nothing was
withheld from them.
not. be the case with respect to data
concerning costs to be used in relation
to tariff matters. but such information
can be had by going after it in the right
way.
''The fact that the Industrial progress
Of Germany in recent years Is admitted
| to be due to her methods Of tariff max
Ing through q commission should appeal
to the common sense OF our tariff max
ers and influence Congress to respect the
earnest and almost unanimous demand
Of the business interests and the general
public and give the United States the
facilities for a thorough and scientific
investigation OF conditions at home and
abroad, which Is the basis upon which
Germany's tariff. admittedly superior to
that OF all other countries. is con-
Strtlcfed"