The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-31
FIFTH WHEELS.

IT is almost invariably the case that when "a
worthy measure is before Congress, especially
/ the House fer passage, large number OF men
chosen to represent the country at large and GER
tain districts in particular, deliver themselves
OF great burden of meaningless. puerile and in
consequential yerbiage while corporals guard,
or one man, has the right idea and keeps mind
on IT, This hyperbole and personal gibberish
serves admirably 10 furnish an estimate of the
man who loosens the iisjointed phrases upon
the atmosphere and to Hitter up the Congression-
Al Record, but It accom2lishes little toward Sc
curing the average mind against despair of the
republic.
And 50 1t was with the tariff commission bill
which the House adopted by vote of 1SG. Those
opposed TO the creation OF the commission aired
their views gave their personal and political
speculations, and. leaving their hearers with the
! idea that the country was not at all safe, sat
4 down to think OF what the folks at home would
remark when they read these glowing speeches
In the Illuminated pages of the Congressional
Record.
They told of what God knew and what Presi-
dent Taft knew In stirring tones and quaver-
ing voices they declared the creation of the com
mission would be virtually an admission that
the Democratic party did not feel competent to
draft tariff bill such SIS win remedy the evils
complained of by the American people and they
howled. fretted and fumcd over many other al.
legged points" and sideights. And through II
all sat quietly and serenely Representative
Brantley, of Georgia, and 1855 other members OF
the House, who were utterly unaffected by these
obdurgatons
When the time came for Mr.. Brantley to speak
his brief piece he merely remarked, Accurate
information on the tariT and its schedule can
not possibly embarrass the Democrats" This
was the right and the final word. The Long
worth bill providing for the creation OF legal
and authorized tariff commission composed OF
fve men not more than three of whom are to
be of any one political faith, was passed by the
House and sent 10 the Senate for its action
which will probably be similar.
No bulrseye was ever hit more squarely in the
center than when Mr.. Brantley spoke Lack OF
accurate information has embarrassed the Dem
ocrafs before, and 1t has embarrassed millions
/ pf others who are not Democrats and will con
tinue so to do A little knowledge, especially
about the tariff OF this republic. is a dangerous
thing and no good representative OF his people
should oppose plan TO gave the American voter
4 little peek at what is being done with regard
10 the tariff and providing him with some
knowledge as to why it is done.
The trainers of the present tariff BILL Republi
cans have received countrywide condemnation
because the schedules look to have been framed
In the interest of manufacturers and the mo
4 nop8iies.- The Democratic party was usheret
IL fnfo ofice Fast fail on the promise to provide
system of tariff for revenue only and remedy
the situation brought about by the Republicans
II In now the duty OF the Democratic party Il
redeem its pledge to draft and pass a more equi
table and humane tariff bill
Every means should bs provided tie get aecu
rate, unbiased and disinterested information
about the articles subject to tariff. That is tbs
purpose OF the tariff commission, which will b,
empowered to sit anywhere in the world ant
Investigate prices of raw material, labor, manu-
{ facture. and all items entering into the cost o
u production at home and abroad, and to deter
I mine upon fair and reasonable price for the
necessities OF life The special interests will
\ have nothing TO say in the deliberations of tbs
q commission, and there can be no charges Of vote
buying or other corruption. The commission
will make its recommendations and suggestions
1 10 Congress and provide that body with accurate
i definite specific and uncontrovertbe informa
81 fion as TO what prices should be. With this ir
hand. 1t will be up to Congress to do the righ
u thing by the people and the trusts alike. ant
PUT its hand upon scientific data as justification
n and authority for its action
IS Verify. accurate information the tariff
4 and its schedules cannot possibly embarrass tho
II Democrats If they hetake themselves 10 theiI
duty with thought of the pledges of the past
A PATRIOTIC TRIUMPH