Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-10-25
Bismarck, Saturday, October rs, 1918
Can the Ne,v Law Make Good,

The careful explanation accompanied the report
Of the signing of the Underwood tariff bill that ~
was a-happyS group Of Legislators, members OF tae
cabinet and friends who encircled the president a.
that impressive moments. And itHis pleasant loF
Americans everywherc to slinger upon this PeauElllIuAl
scene, to which President Wilson said he 1nad~'ooked
forward since he was a boy. And who we're these
DISTINGUISHED men who made up that goodly COM
pany? First, of course, came Mr.. Underwood, majority
leader tof the House and nominal author of the Dill.
ne doubtless 'beamed with a satisfied smile, Then
there was Secretary Bryan, whose delight may nat
urally have been tempered with a little bitterness
because it was another hand than his which wrote
the executive signature. 2 The speaker tof 'thes House.
members OF the cabinet and friends of the admins
tration completed the picture.
% 1t would be ungracious, perhaps to reflect even
with slight asperity upon this harmonious scene OF
hopes fulfilled and arduous labors crowned with sue
cess, but the question, intrudes itself as to the real
significance of the ceremony. Admitting all the fel1c'
itous fnyestiure of the occasion; the fact cannot be
lost sight of that the3new tariff law is of momentous
Importance, not; alone in the reductions Of many
schedules, hut in the income tax rider placed upon it
\ and in the sacrifice of the sugar and wool industries
OF the country. There was not in that group watch
surrounded the president a single statesman Of rrecog.
nized breadth and high quality. 1t was. indeed, a
triumphant hour for Democracy, but was it a triumph
for patriotism? lone may we'll understand the joy OF
havingrcompleted a great work; of having carried
ont a party's pledges to do "a certain big thing. But
the solemn, thought must have been in many Gminds
Of the tremendous. responsibility WHICH follows the
signing Of the presidents name to this bill, which
oyerturnsnt the policy through which the country at
tained all Its present greatness and prosperity. E#
Eg The neWstariff law was framed principally in q
secret caucus, which was dominated by leaders under
The presidents s. orders. 1T was reported and passed
in both houses over the protests Of the Republicans,
who tried yainly to modify its more radical provi.
sons. {Ashthe law now stands, it is distinctly and
intentionally a Democratic measure. and that party
snust stand or fall by the results of its enforcement.
HI Is designed to, reyolutionizei the entire industrial
system Of the, country, upon which has rested the
superstructure of prosperity and stability. Millions
of people will feel the effects OF this law, either in
enlarged opportunities. or in curtailed profits. and
wages.4The law bears with it a specific promise to
reduce the cost of living, and it must do that without
reducing the means of living. 1t is pleasant to con-
template the satisfaction of those democrats respon-
siblesfo the Underwood law, but it wouh be infn-
Nely more pleasant if there were any reasonable
certainty that this satisfaction and confidence were
fully justified. The deed is done-the law is in force.
The verdict must rest with the people, and upon their
decision will hang the issues of the next congressional
and presidential campaigns. u Ss
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