New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-23
THE WIN WASHINGTON

protected by duties equal to the difference
In the cost of production hero and abroad
Observation of the methods OF Congress IN
framing the PAYNE tariff law convinccd
him that they were wholly ineffective III
determining those differences He saw tha'
the hearings OF the tariff committees
consisted almost exclusively of listening 10
OK parte testimony. and that tho final de-
termination Of the duties depended In large
measure on log-rolllng and trading. Ac-
cordingly, lie procured authority to create
a non-partisan Tariff Board, and TO Us III
vestigations and findings he has pinned MS
faith. From his point of view any enort
n. tariff revision not base on tho findings
OF the Tariff Board Is certain TO be oulte
as faulty and unbalanced as the Payne
law For this reason he will approve no
tariff legislation now. Canadian reciproc-
ry. he believes should stand on It's own
merits. He regards it as far more impor-
tant in IT'S potential benefits TO the Foreign
relations OF the United states than In i's
economic aspects Therefore he has deter
mined that 1t must stand or fall on us
own merits, uncomplicated by any nail
baked efforts at general tariff revision.
THE DEMOCRATIC TEMPTATION
These facts are known to Democratic sena-
tors. as we'll az to insurgcnt Republicans
Sincere advocates of tariff revision on the
Democratic side of the chamber have de-
clared their purpose 10 support tho reel
procty agreement because they believed II
10 be intrinsically good and In line with
their tariff revision views Now, however.
they find themselves confronted with the
grave temptation Of making political capt.
tai at the expense of their economic prin-
ciples and convictions. on the one hand
they are goaded by mon of tho Bailey type
from the beginning opponents OF reciproc-
ity and untrammeled political convictions
and principles. within their own ranks on
the other, they ere tempted by those Re-
puhlicans who are determined at all costs
to- iniure Mr.. Taft and who offer the spe-
cious plea Of demanding more tariff re-
vision" as cloak for their real object
Final approval Of the reciprocity agree
ment would greatly promote President
Taft's political fortunes, as IL known Of al
men The country is OH the eve Of ma
tioual election. and to Democrats, long ont
Of power the temptation TO cast considera-
lions Of tariff revision 10 the four winds
and TO play politics. is naturally almost
empowering.
FATE WITH DEMOCRATS.-As thu sit
nation In the Senate stands nothing but
Democratic steadfastness TO their promises
can save the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment. The Republicans who are ready to
vote for the agreement. either on It's merits
to ho In ttOn
in the minority. Sixteen Republicans pre-
fer anything TO injure Taft or any
thing 70 prevent any tariff revision to
considerations of International relations or
economic benefit 10 the consumer The
Democrats have II in their power to desert
their insurgcnt allies and remain true TO
their principles and their promises or to
seek political capital, an effort not unat-
tended with danger. because It's success de-
nends entirely on the extent to which the
voetrs can be deceived.
PROBABLE OUTCOME.-Tt Is perhaps a
little soon after the storm to hazard
guess as to the outcome, but the Indications
still point 10 the success of the RECIPROCITY
agreement. The Democrats say they VIII
not support any amendment when Wou'u
kin II. The possibilities of compromise De-
tween the insurgents and the Democrats on
either the Farmers Free List bill or the
wool bill are remote, and were one reached
II would probably fail of approval ny the
IIouse Failure I'm conference would look
IN the man in the street like an irreconcila-
hle difference between Democrats H.
therefore the saner counsels among the
Democrats prevail the minority VIII use
the insurgents only as long as they can Dc
made TO serve Democratic ends, ana they
will then be left holding the bag the
outcome which looks most probable at TINS
time. and an outcome which would be en-
,irelv satisfactory TO majority oil the
Democrats, who prefer a genuine uhfegeh-
crate and unconverted Republican 10 MY
,ndeterminate, shifty and uncertain imita-
ton.