The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-12-29

market prices OF this commodity I'm
competing countries what IL the cost
per unit OF production I'm this and com
peting countrles what n the percent
age OF labor cost 10 the total cost OF a
unit OF product. In this and In compel
Ing foreign countries: what IN the cost
OF transportation 10 the principal mar
kets from the points or production In
this and competing foreign countries.
what part OF the proposed duty repre-
sents the difference In cost OF produce
tion between this and foreign compel
ing countries; what part OF the pro-
pofed duty represents the reasonable
PROFITS of the American manufacturer.
III he IL To be given "a reasonable profit.
Business would not be disturbed.
buhlness would have no reason TO fear
tarln legislation. III II were made on
these correct economic principles. With
the excessive duties we have main
tanned so many years, 10 might produce
700 great shock 90 come to the proper
leNel al one step. Hut we should pro-
coed with all possible speed. consider
ing financial and economic conditions.
10 reduce step ny step. until we reach
basis measuring the difference In
cost or production. Then there should
be constantly I'm the field n body of
experts Investigating the effects result
ing -treIa-ehaHsiHg industrial atid-teo-
monte conditions and commission
which shall recommend congress
what transpires TO cheaper the cost OF
country may quickly secure the benefit
OF such changes
1t has been the policy OF those In
control OF tariff legislation To revise
only when there arises such a clamor.
such demand from the people that IL
cannot be resisted And IL is revised
without reference TO- economic con-
ditions and without any information
upon which 10 base action. The bust
ness OF the country Is placed In perl
ode suspense, IL does not know how
10 calculate. There would he no busi-
messy disturbance ~ there were a scicn-
tine basis for tarin changes The modi-
ncatlon OF some par.ic Ilar rates in any
given schedule would make no very
great impression upon the current bust
ness at the time.
No other great country revises its
tafin without thOropghgoing invest ga
ton, or orders revision TO go into ef-
tect Immediately upon tho passage OF
a bill. as Is done in this country.
In the tariff legislation OF the last
two sessions OF congress. the progress
slVes have not claimed that they had
the knowledge feF-a- thorottEhEufug.
scientific revision. but they handed to-
gether. determined To analyZe the COM
plicatCd thlngs, and find out the best
they couli, what was fair and just TO
the sO.0Oo,OGC consumers OF this cOun-
try. hey called in experts worked
nav ana night, exposed Iniquities. and
offered amendments. Their work was
y Slthl fuutdtlOH ana enlightenment.
But the progressives stood first. last,
and all tho time. for the creation OF a
permanent tarin commission. non-par-
tlsan, composed or men OF standing
representative of business interests,
agricultural interests, manufacturing
--l--.--.. r-NfSS have made n study
OF commerce and transportt ton in the
United states, and who have made a
study of the commerce.
Of the world, economists and trained
statisticians thoroughly equipped for
scientific work
Ii is an old device for the special in
telcsts which thrive i'm exploiting the
public, TO warn against the dangers OF
commission form OF government But
our social and industrial life grows
daily more and more ,omploX Experts
~ framing OF Legislation and In the adj
OF law become more and
more public necessity. So long IS the
commission Is the creature OF tho legis-
Iature, subject TO prompt control or
ibolition, we need not be alarmed by
the warning OF selfish interests Ex-
pert commissions are demanded where
ever technical knowledge and special
training and expert investigation are
fe+tt4tfedi before the law can be INTEL
1gentlN administered.