The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-08-15
THE DIFFICULTIES or TARIFF REVISION

The majority IN Congress need scarcely eX-
pect further progress i'll tariff revision, it
appears now having passed the Reciprocity
ht II is said that Mr. Taft will veto furtha
legislation, though ii should be passed hy
House and Senate The ground utuu which
he and some Of the members Of the Congress
oppose further efforts at revision i, that
time does noi suffice FOR thorough investlea.
tian and scientific revision. They counsel
oaution aud advise elaboration in the fran
ing Of schedules SO vitality affecting the in
forests OF the coaurs. A tariff commission is
nov at work gathering Information 1t anti
clpates 4 readiness 10 report In December. The
oonisntion is that Congress should wait until
Its regular session. when time aud resource
will both b. sufficient to insure judicial and
Just revision Of the tariff.
We do not place too much confidence in the
sfnrerft t,f ttto@e-s.o -tfttrrttffs argument
The fact that this plea comes from the party
now in the minority the party that rushed
the PayneAldrioh tariff trough when they
we're IN the majority justifies a suspicion con
corning the motives behind the argument The
fact that We upon the verge of cam
i,aien for presidential nominations and the
attitude q aspirants towards tariff revision
will affect their chances Of nomination, ex
plains the desire 10 delay the consideration Of
a tieklish matter, On the whole. we tan see
no just reason Why IA new tariff may not be
made as Well as at any other moment
and certainly the present dia9ority has as
much. and more information available as any
ether majority that has faced the problem Of
framing tariff bill.
And Vet we realize the Importance of the
matter and are fully aware Of the difficulties.
1t is an extremely delicate and complex problem
to soye-this making tariff to fit the needs
Of a great nation like ours. with its diverse
and ramded interests When such a revision
Is undertaken, il must be with the purpose of
giving all parties fair and impartial considera-
tion Te merely play the game a. politics: 10
merely court popular favor, 10 fail to take into
account the interests and rights of organized
Industries, would be nexcusable There must
be the patriotic purpose to serve The whole
country and consider the interests Of all par
ties IN the making Of bin that snail deal
exact justice 10 all. SO far as it lies in The
range OF possibility.
Hence nothing will lie lost in our opinion
by thorough consideration as shall insure
these ends. There be doubt that tha
protective tariff of the Republican administers
ttons has produced conditions unfair and nm
fortunate Tor the masses. There can Re ne
doubt that the country is clamoring for relief
and lis looking 10 the Democratic party for It.
I5< s1f5sh~ It a8as tire sssnE atlya that
no mistakes shall be made, and suspicious
aroused of other motives than the framing OF
schedule that shall reveal wise and Just
adjustment 10 the diverse needs and rights OF
all related clements. Better that broadmind,
cd and fairtninded patriotism should move
slowly 10 the successful accomplishment of this
task, than that undue haste precipitate
eagerness should rush to failure.
Not only the good of the people, bat the
continued success Of Democracy liz at stake.
The issue is too great to be endangered by
hot-heads or rattle brains.