The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-01-12

ton, but the real active work to pro-
Iduce results is covered by a period
little over two years, / may almost say
beginning with the indianapolis con-
vention, held in February 1909.
The fundamental basis of our work
is the fact that there has existed In
the country for many years, wide
spread and earnest conviction that our
tariff making system is unsound and
inadequate to cope with modern con-
ditions, with all the complexities ex-
listing i'm the relations of labor and
capital, the consumer and producer
and the adjustment of the tariff to do
nestle business and foreign trade.
The levying of duties must of me-
cessty affect all these questions and
If we desire to produce sound results,
it is self-evident proposition that the
first step should be thorough knowl-
edge of existing conditions. 1t has
been our province simply to present
to the country for general discussion
and consideration, the idea that this
necessary knowledge of conditions can
best be acquired by a permanent i'm
dependent tariff commission. We have
worked assiduously for two years to
present this idea and have met with an
affirmative response so unanimous and
so general from all sections of the
country and from all kinds and condi-
tons of men, regardless of business
and political Affiliations, that your
board of directors has felt justified
in calling you together here in Wash
ington to say to congress that the
country desires and deserves to have
a permanent, independent tariff COM
mission with provision for the consid-
Grafton of the tariff by schedules i'm
the full light of public discussion,
based on Investigations made by
commission SO established that it win
command public confidence.
1t is perfectly simple proposition,
this suggestion that the tariff question,
laftecting as it does, directly. or indi-
rectly, the welfare of every citizen in
a most intricate manner-should be
thoroughly investigated and analysed
by men of ability and experience who
4 shall devote themselves exclusively to
the work The result OF their investi-
cations and finding of facts being at
all times available to congress for it's
use in making tariff laws and fixing
rates OF duty. 1t Is proposition which
we have found when clearly presented
and understood, commends itself
equally to Minnesota and Texas, to
Massachusetts and Oregon
III the creation of the present ia riff
board our work secured a standing and
recognition of very great value as a
step towards its full accomplishment,
and the statement made to us yester-
day by Chairman Emery of the board.
clearly showing that he and his col
leagues are convinced by the work al
ready done that 1t is a practical and
feasible proposition, is evidence which |
should encourage US to renew endeav- |
ors to perpetuate the work so we'll be- |
gun, by an earnest effort to secure leg
islation to develop this important first |
step into a permanent tariff commits.
sion.
Speaking of the tariff board brings |
me to the invaluable help and I may |
say leadership which we have had in |
our work from President Taft. Firmly |
convinced that our tariff making sys- |
tenn was inadequate, he has consist |
emily and courageously worked for its |
Improvement along the lines we stand /
for. He has created the tariff board |
as an effective working object lesson |
tirely inadequate in its scope and tenn I
porary i'm its nature and he has stretch |
ed the discretionary powers given him /
to their limit to accomplish this re- |
suit
In closing want to say word for
the business men Of the country. 1t is 1
charged that selflshness and avarice /
always have and always will control 1
mems attitude toward the tariff. This
do not believe. 1t has fallen to my /
lot during the past two years to dis
cuss this question in all its bearings 1
with men from all sections of the Il
country, and / am convinced that the
greatest evil in our present tariff max
ing system Is the widespread belief, /
that 1t Is necessary to engage In per-
sonal scramble for self-preservation in
the heat and turmoil of general re-
vision
tariff commission to gather facts
10 q systematic and intelligent manner
for presentation to congress as 4 basis /
for tariff legislation, so organized as 1
to carry the conviction that IL win 4
produce fair and Just results, will cure
the worst evils of our present tariff
making system and II 1t is supported 4
by public opinion. the pressure for
special advantages will soon cease.
1t IL not many years since most of H
US were struggling for special rates or
special privileges in railroad freights.
Today we have lost our special advan- II
tages but are satisfied that we are all n
treated alike and who would return to
the old system?
The agitation for tariff commission n
Is based on the same inherent Ameri-
can Characteristic which did away with Il
cut rates on the railroads, q deep Il
seated conviction that ali are entitled II
to equal opportunity and a Willingness
to respect an established authority n
which we believe is endeavoring to
give just measure to all and special adj
vantage to none.