Omaha daily bee., 1911-08-18


TO continue the work of the tariff board
and stating the good results he believed
would be obtained by scientific revision,
Today.s message continued:
"A popular demand arose for the formal
creation by Jaw of permanent non-parti-
san tariff commission. Commercial bodies
all over the country united In movement
20 secure adequate legislation for the pur-
pose and an association with a nation wide
constituency was organized to promote
the cause, The public opinion in favor Of
such a commission was evidenced by reso-
lutions adopted in 1903 and 1910 by republican
state CONVENTIONS in at least twenty -eight
states.
''ln addition efforts were made to secure
change in the rules Of procedure In the
house and senate with a view TO preventing
the consideration OF tariff changes except
schedule by schedule
SBusiness on Protective Basis.
The business, OF the country rests on a
protective tariff basis The public keenly
realized that a disturbance Of business by
G change in the tariff and a threat OF in
jury.to the industries of the country ought
to be avoided and that nothing could help
so much TO minimize the fear of destruc-
tive changes as the known existence Of
reliable source of information for legis-
lative action. In the deep interest in the
matter of an Impartial ascertainmens Of
facts before any new revision was evil
denced by an effort to pass tariff com
mission bill! in the short session OF the
Sixty-first congress in which many Of both
parties united. Such a bill passed both
houses. 1t provided a commission OF five
members TO be appointed by the president,
NAN Nka. ,f
kong to the same psrty, and gave them
the power and made 1t their. duty to in
vestigate the operation of the tariff, the
comparative cost Of production at home
and abroad and like matters Of importance
I'm fixing the terms Of a revenue measure
and required them to report to the execu-
tive and to congress when directed.
Several, not vital ineidmehts were
made In the senate which necessitated q
return of. the bill to the house, where. be-
cause of the limited duration Of the SEES
sion, q comparatively small minority were
able to prevent its becoming q law.
How Board Was Appointed.
"On tho failure OF this bill, l took such
steps as I could to make the tariff board
l had already appointed a satisfactory sub
stitute for the proposed tariff commission.
An appropriation Of $685. 900 to continue
the work until June 80, 1912, had been
granted by congress In the alternative, to
be applied to the board l had appointed,
unless a tariff commission bill was passed,
In this appropriation bill, the non partisan
tariff commission; II created and appointed,
was directed TO make a report on schedule
X; rby December l. 1911. Accordingly !
added two members to the tariff board
from ,tha opposition party and directed the
board to make report ON schedule w by
December l. next. The board differs In
no rwsyt from the tariff commission as It
would have been except in its power to
summon Witnesses and / am advised by
the members OF the board that without this
power, they aave had no difficulty in Sc
curing the Information they desire.
what hoard Has Done.
The board took some months TO inves-
tigate the methods pursued in other coun-
tries in procuring information on tariff
subjects ana to organize its force, In oc-
tober, 1910. ITS work Of investigation be-
gan With force OF forty that has now
Increased TO eighty. In addition to the
glossary which is near completion. and
other work, connected with. furnishing in
formation IN Connection with the enforce
mont OF maximum~aud minimum clause
Of the Payne tariff act and In respect to
the Canadian reciprocity measure its at
tsntion has been especially directed to
comparative cost under schedule X,
(Syool and woolens), under schedule NJ,
(paper and pulp, and under schedule l.,
COTTON manufacturer. The report on
schedule NJ. (pulp and paper. has already
been sent to congress, Full reports on
wool ami cotton will be submitted to con
naRnmhar 1 alsO 1lrapfad
En- investigation into the'metal and leather
schedules. the results Of which, At is hoped,
can be submitted to congress al It's first
SECULAR session In time to permit their con-
Alteration and legislauye action il neces-
sRTY." :, eoa.'
The president, after quoting from n re-
port Of the tariff commission -sppropra-
tIon commencing the work OF the tariff
board, continues.
Il have thus reviewed the history Of the
movement for tho establishment. Of "a tariff
commission or board In order 10 show
that the real advance and refoPn in tariff
making arc to be found In the acquiring
a. accurate and-lrhparttai information as
to the effect OF the proposed tariff changes
under each seSedMs before they are
ed6pted and further to show that II delay
Ia the passage Of a bin 10 amend schedule
s., can be had until December congress
viii then be In possession OF a fun and
satisfactory report upon the whole
schedule.
seheduIe'is Complicated.
s'-rhis brings me to the consideration Of
he terms OF the bill presented for my APP
provai. Schedule X Is the most compi-
dated schedule IN thstRrlff. II olsssifies
raw wool with different rates for different
classes; II affords the manufacturer what
a called a compensatory duty TO make up
tor the increased price Of the raw material
&c has TO use due 10 the rate on raw wSol
ana for the shrinkage that takes place In
occurring the wool for manufactures; and
Il gives him. in addition. an ad valorem
duty 10 protect him against foreisn eompe-
atlon Witheehsap labor. The usages which
prevail in securing the wool in making the
yarn and In the manufacture Of cloth pre-