The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-29

AFTER FOUR YEARS.
Immediately after President Taft's
election spec al session of Congress
was called for the purpose Of revis-
ing the excessive rates of the Dingley
tariff law. The outcome was the en-
actment Of the Payne-Aldrich bill,
which. instead Of affording the
slightest measure Of relief to the
consumer and the wage-earner. added
to the existing injustioes Of the pro-
tective system. The inequalities. the
special favors and the jokers in this
law have now become notorious. The
legislation also con-
tanned a maximum and minimum rate
provision for the purpose Of negotiat-
ing reciprocal trade agreements with
foreign countries which possibly might
take retaliatory measures against our
policy by raising tariff
barriers against the importation OF
the products of our farms and fac
tories. ITO make such arrangements
ii was provided that a board or COM
mission should be appointed by the
President, and it was in this section
Of the act that the recent Tariff Board
had its origin. Its appointment was
welcomed by many unselfsh and pa
triotic citizens as a means OF remov-
ing the tariff question from politics.
The powers conferred upon the board
by the Payne Aldrich law were
stretched to the breaking point by an
which permitted the
board to make original Investigations.
both at home and abroad. relative to
the effects Of high tariff duties. Soon
it became evident. however. that this
so-called nonpartisan commission was
to be a disappointment Those who
favored a real reduction Of the tarin
ceased to support the board and It's
work. but the stand-patters. who had
originally opposed an investigation OF
any kind, saw the opportunity and
seized upon the Tariff Board idea as
a means Of delaying tarin revision.
President Taft, despite the fact that
M one really knew what the findings
Of the Tariff Board were. vetoed DEM
ocratic tariff bills on the ground that
they were not in accord with the re-
sults Of the Tariff Board investiga-
lions. In the face OF these facts
President Taft now comes forward in
an interview and intimates that. II
the impossible happens and he is re-
elected. he will again call Congress
into extraordinary session for the pur-
nose OF enacting tariff legislation He
also promises. to subject all schedules
OF the tariff laws to the scrutiny OF
a tariff board and to recommend legis-
lation in accordance with the results
of the inquiries OF such a body. The
President does not 60 into details.
but the inference is clear that the in
Of the board would be
based upon the already discredited cost
Of production theory.
These public statements Of the Pres
iden. are remarkable for several rea-
sons. They clearly Indicate that dur
ing the past four years he has made
no progress in his thinking upon the
tarin question. The only program he
can Offer is a repetition Of his previ-
Gus record. which has met with such
Widespread criticism and condemna-
ton. In other words. TO the wage
Garner and the consumer President
Tafts attitude on the tariff is hope
less. He holds forth no measure OF
relief. He IS irrevocabcy committed
10 the reactionary policy Of comforting
favors and privileges upon special In
dustrial interests. Probably the most
remarkable phase Of the situation 10
,hs, the President sincerely believes
~. own assertions that the present
protective system benefits the wage
.arner. stimulates foreign trade ann
docs no, ada to the cost Of living.
III. an,ecedents and associations are
uI,r,-cons.ryative. His economic IDEAS
wer. cry.,aiIised during the indus
,risIlzed politics Of two decades ago.
and he Is not aware that the much
repeated .ophistries OF the protection
,.,,. a. well a. the campaign
phrase. and oaschworts Of q genera
ton ago. ar. no longer eagerly and
Thoroughly swallowed By the e'ecsor-
ate 4 few more weeks Will bring 9
rude Awakening 20 the President