New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-24
WILSON ASSA|LS TARIFF
Any Real Reform Must Begin
with That Centre, He Says.
GUEST OF ECONOMIC CLUB
Declares Business Must Not Be
Permitted to Control and
Direct Legislation.

Governor Woodrow Wilson turned gladly
from the troublesome paths of practical
politics" as he put It himself, last night
TO dine with the Economic Club and to dis
cuss with them. mot personalities but the
questions OF the day"
His assigned theme was Politics and
that deter him from general discussion
Of the condition Of the country az he saw
II and an historical review # the growth
Of the government. He said that since he
had left Princeton he had come to know
OF his own knowledge that there were I'm
existence great combinations that held men
I'm bondage Of fear. some OF them combina-
tions Of capital, some OF them combinations
OF influence.
legislatures are controlled practically by
private individuals" he said. and there |
can speak with absolute knowledge.
As I'm previous speeches he bewailed The
fact that business, az represented by loo
bios at Washington. would not leave poll
tics alone. and asserted that the real
problem 81 politics was 10 get cooperation
between it, field and that Of the gIeat
mass OF ordinary business men OF the
country.
The tarin. said Governor Wilson, Il the
Boston Common of our economic and po-
IitIcaI life n used 70 be- told that a
stranger I'm Boston asking his way to IN"
Common was directed 10 take any street
either way" Thai Is the way with the
tariff. he said Everything in our economic
and political He leads n the tariff. inc
tariff IS the centre and 70 work any real
reform Ne must begin with that centre.
For those who enGeavored 10 start by try
ING m ascertain the cost Of production
no had only a cynical smile Not the same
I'm any one factory ut different times, not
tho same I'm any two factories I'm any one
country. the cost Of production. he as
serted was will-o'-t he-wisp. and the
most that could be done would be to so
through the motions ~ searching FOR IT,
"Business uuderlles everything in our ma
tlonal ufc." the Governor continued IN
Guiding our spiritual life Witness that IN
the Lords PRAYER, the significant fact tha'
tn. first petition is for daily bread. because
no one can worship God or love his neigh
Dor on an empty stomach.
But business he went on TO say mus
no, no permitted 10 specialz" I'm and con
troll and direct legislation. He urged that
business be prohibited from pleading foI
special favors at the hands Of legisiatiah
and he brought 10 a spirit OF broad cooper
alton with legislation Tor the good Of th'
: country as a whole As an instance, M
pointed TO the reforms in Wisconsin. giving
credit In general to the men of that state
without naming any OF them. who hac
brought about the reforms.
William H. Lincoln. president Of the Eco
monte club. OF Boston. and Henry clewi
were the other speakers.
| IN the annual election. which preceded the
spcechmaling James Spcyer was chosen
president. with Frank y Nanderlip and Or
Thomas Il. SliCer Cc-presidents The *
ecutiye committee elected was composed Of
James q. Cannon. Walker - Hines, Will
lam q. McAdoo, John G. Mlburn and Henry
/ Morgenthau. Mr.. Milburn. the retiring
president acted as POSTMASTER last night.