The Washington times., 1913-10-04
THE NEW TARIFF MEANING.

With good deal of very fitting circumstance
President Wilson last evening signed the tariff
bill and thereby made It the law of the land 1t is a
peculiarly significant event. for it represents the put
ting into effect of the real tariff policy of the present
day Democracy. There have been compromises and
adjustments giving and taking; but so far politi-
cal party with millions of members and long-estab-
lished traditions have definite policy on such
an issue, this measure stands for Democratic tariff
policy;-an the contrast between it and the Payne
Aldrich measure represents very fairly the contrast
between Democratic and od-line Republican ideas of
tariff. The he's been tried; the other is to
tried. Wherefore the signing of this tariff bill,
hitting the nation to program is of very strik-
ing importance.
For half century this country has favored a
protective tariff. The contrary Democratic doctrine
has been persisted in largely as matter of opposi-
ton expediency-to extent indicated by the fact
that twenty years ago, when put to the test, Con-
gress Democratic j. both branches refused to live up
to the party's theories The majority of the eec-
o-ate is still for protection. The mandate to enact
low tariff law, now being obeyed, that of plu-
rality, notof majority, of the voters Of the country.
Nevertheless, 1t was clear mandate. The ma
joriy acquiesces in Congress action; partly, per-
haps because it knows it cannot help ITSELF but more
because there has been marked and very general
reaction from such advanced ideas of protection as
were embodied il the Payne-Aldrich measure. But
between mere revision downward and the sweeping
and radical changes the present bill introduces there
is far more difference than this reaction alone ust-
fes. The bill would have awakened sharper opposi-
tion and greater apprehension than it has were it
not for the fact tina. it has been admirably and con-
scienously drafted and that its working will afford
real test for veal or for woe to the country, Of
the low tariff doctrine.
Except it be prospective currency legislation
also in Democratic hands, there is nothing now on
the horizon to befog the results of this test The
country is prosperous crops are large, business is
good No panic or cause for panic is in sight The
countrys new fiscal policy will be inaugurated under
fair and promising conditions. There can be no
dodging of its consequences.
The Democrats have promised much from the
effects of low tariff If half of it comes true
it would be foolhardy indeed for Republicans to try
to win Presidential elections in the future with
a return to high protection their main issue. If
there follows serious disturbance-or, rather, If
there be evidence that business and wages cannot be
kept up under clean-cut low tarff-we will not
hear much more Of that doctrine from Democrats
The test between the two extremes ought to oe
conclusive. There will always be, and probably It
is to the countys advantage that there should be,
q politico-economic alignment on the tariff scale
But the controversy will be over minor reductions
and increases. 1t will hardly present, as it has in
the past the constant threat of complete reversal
of the countrys fiscal policy every four years.
And just to the extent. that the fiscal policy to
be followed becomes practically fixed revision and
readjustment of tariff details under it can be made
scientifically. Such data as tariff commission can
he oe =.
constant difference to the fundamental purpose of
the tariff. Its statistics on wool would mean little
If the question were one, not of how thoroughly
American sheep-rasing needs to be protected but of
whether not the schedule was to be adjusted with
out regard to its effect upon the industry in this
country. But given a certain and assured attitude
of the Government toward the sheep industry here,
or regardless of that, definite problem as to the
proportion of income to be produced through wool
importatons, the functions and value of commits
sion become self-evident !
With the passage of this BILL then, we have taken
a long step forward. 1t seems almost impossible
that after so crucial trial of the Democratic doc
tne is offered the tariff will long remain in poll
tics and with its elimination there will also disap
pear the incentive under which every Congressman
labors obstinately to insist upon his preroeative
of examining and passing upon every petty detail Of
the schedules himself.
The Nicke|s Of the People,