The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-05
WOOD ON TARIFF"
Former TOpekan Before TOpe-
Commercial Club Today.
SAYS Federal Tax Is Built on
Fancies, Not Facts.
ADJUST ALL AFTER THE WAR
World Will Witness Gigantic
Industrial Era, He Says.
George s. Wood an Officer Tar.
Tiff League Commission.

The tariff of the United States Is
built on fancies, not facts, is the po-
litical football of nation and is the
play of politicians for which the peo-
pie pay, according to George 5. WOOD
former Topekan and assistant presl-
dent of the Tariff League Comnlssloi =
of America. Mr.. Wood addressed
members of the Topeka Commercial
club at luncheon today in the Ao
rooms of the club
Mr.. Wood is representing an organ
lied movement to secure the establish
ment of permanent, nonpartisan
tariff commission, taking the trouble
some industrial agitation from us
periodical temperance, making the
tariff a scientific, economic coI1IiIioLlI
sense instrument instead of a political
football.
$50 long as the tariff is adjusted in
the present way" said MI. Woou'
ssthere is no way of eliminating the
notifies. REGARDLESS of the party by
which it is adjusted and MADE II Is
made for politics. When the European
war is over the world will witness a
new industrial era and conditions
must be adjusted Practically the
only way the tariff can be adjusted
for all the people is by a commission
wherein if there are any errors maze
they will be business errors and can
be readjusted in a business manner
This will eliminate political errors.
Expression From Over Country.
This movement embOdieS an ex-
preston from all parts of the country
and all kinds of people, and is non
political in the sense of being non
partisan. with only the general indus
trial good of the country in view Inc
plan is a detailed, logical and sane
one and is the result of long discus
sion with leading men throughout the
country and Mr. Howard H. Gross,
now the president of the tariff COM
mission league.
1.-The plan embraces a tentative bill
for the establishment and permanent
maintenance of a commission, seven
in number, to be appointed by the
presidents and to have a permanent
fixed appropriation large enough TO
give the commission every OppOrtun- |
ity for research, investigation and |
necessary expense. By non-partiSan IS |
meant the actual lack of majority
representation of any party, and a |
tenure of office of nine years gives the |
fullest latitude for experience and |
freedom from any political pressure.
One of the most important features
contemplated is the representative on.
the commission of agriculture and Ia 7
Dor. we'll as industry, commerce
and tariff building experience.
Approval of Plan.
1.-THE Tariff Commission league and |
it's propaganda have nothing to do |
with any form of tariff, but aim at the |
present and past methods of tariff
making. The approval of the plan |
seems to be general and very enthus- |
iastic. Our organization has such |
leading thinkers and representative
people as Thomas A. Edison, James J.
Hill, George w. Perkins, ex-secretary
of agriculture of Kansas, F. D. Co
burn; A. P. Grout, president of the
National Alfalfa Growers association;
E. P. Ripley, president of the Santa F'e
railway: Allen d. Albert, international
president of the Rotary clubs; War
rem S. stone, grand chief of Brother
n NrNfi va L L. I
Mitchell, chairman labor commission
of the state of New York: Mrs Percy
V. Pennypacker, president of the gem
eral Federation of Women's clubs;
of the international Harves-
ter company; Burridge D. Butler
president Agricultural Publishers as
ISOLATION; John J. Mitchell, president
Or. H. E. Stockbridge, president
Farmers National congress; Miss
Jane Adams, famous civic worker;
Ike T. Pryor of San Antonio, Texas
one of the leading business men of the
southwest; and among those who have
slgnified their general approval of the
plan and movement are Samuel Com
pers, president of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor: John ]. Cannon
president of the Hibernian Bank and
Trust company of New Orleans: Ar
thur P. Hadley, president of Yale uni
NerSlty, many members of congress
representing all political compilations
ana parties, and a long list of others
II is the purpose of the Tariff
commission league at this time TO tell
the people what the movement means
ana undertakes, with view of Great
Ing popular demand which will Sc
cure through your congressman what
you insist upon. Tariff making is now
q creature of partisan politics. and it
Is impossible for five hundred mem
oers OF congress to gather and study
The economic data and material ,1DoI !
WHICH to proceed fairly and scientifi
;ally. This work should be delegated
A permanent tariff commission wculd
accomplish great things for the good
Of the country at large"
; Mr.. Wood was formerly in the fur
1iture business in Topeka. His store
vas located in the Mapspeaker build
ng and he resided at Seventh and
ropeka avenue. His father started
he first furniture store in Kansas.