The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-01-29
CHI ON
THE TARIFF
PRESIDENT NOW FAvORS TAR
RIFF COMMISSION PLAN.
Chief Executives Remarkable Speech
at Indianapolis Last Year
Recalled.
(By Henry HalD


WASHINGTON. Jan. 2S.-President
Wilson's change OF heart on the ques-
ton Of creating a tariff board is inter
esting in several ways. and particu-
larry in the light OF comparatively re-
cent events. While the President can
didly admits that he has changed his
mind, IL is not forgotten by Republi-
cans in Congress han on January s.,
1915. about a yea ago. in his some
what remarkable Indianapolis speech.
wherein he asserted that the Repub-
hcan party has not had a new idea in
30 years" Mr.. Wilson declared that
there is 10 need for such a body. be
cause. as a matter Of fact. one clothed
with such a boards power already ex-
lists.
Discussing the Republican demand
for a scientific handling OF the tariff.
the President said:
Republican Demand Discussed.
IF by scientific treatment of the
tarin they mean adjustment to actual
trade conditions of America and the
world. then l am with them. and /
want TO call their attention for.
though they voted for IL they appar.
emily have not noticed ito the fact
that the bill which creates the new
AAf0 AAdA NNNA AAAAAAa
We were at pains 10 see that IL was
put In there. That commission is au-
thorized and empowered to inquire
INTO and report to congress moi only
upon the conditions OF trade in this
country, but upon the conditions of
trade, the cost OF transportation. the
cost OF manufacture-all the things
that enter into the question OF the tar
tu-in foreign countries. and into all
those questions Of foreign combina-
tons which affect international trade
between Europe and the United
States. II has the full powers which
will guide Congress in the scientific
treatment of questions OF internation-
al trade. Being by profession a
schoolmaster. ! am glad to point that
out 10 the class Of u~ninstructed Repub-
licans. though 7 have not always
taught i'm the primary grade"
Mr.. Wilson approved the bill Great
ing this commission and appointed its
members. II f. still in existence and.
presumably. attending to the duties
imposed upon 1t by law
Six DAYS after Mr.. Wilson had made
these statements in Indianapolis. Mr..
Mann. Republican house leader. re-
piled 10 them. and said.
IN fact. the President claims that
he sneaked something into = law that
was not understood by congress. In
This house when a gentleman rises
and saws that he sneaked something
into q law as q joker without the 9th
or side %suspecting &c.. ne would lose
caste as an honorable legislator and
man. And II Is because OF this fact
that rise 20 defend the President in
the accusation which he brought
against himself ! regret that the
President does not have hat fine
sense of legislative honor which
would have prevented him from max
ing such p claim for himself"
Mr.. Mann then showed that all the
changes In the trade commission law,
under which the President claims he
has the povor Of a tariff commission.
were inserted in conference on motion
~ Representative stevens of Mime
sofa. the Republican member Of the
conference on the part Of the House.
Put One over on u.s. said Mr..
Mann. w did not know what was
being done puf. after all. we did a."
Representative Longworth Of Ohio
a yesterday
Longworth conaratulates Wilson.
u wish 20 congratulate the Presi-
dent on his change of mind. which
brings him in such hearty accord with
the tariff commission bin which I first
introduced in 1911. which was passed
by both Houses with the unanimous
vote OF the Republicans. and which.
was defeated on the last day Of the
session by q Democratic flibu7tcr
against the conference report. u is
the same bin which 7 introduced the
first dav of This session. and the strik.
ing similarity Of tho wording Of
President Wilson's letter 60 Repre-
sentative Kitchin. The Democratic
house leader 20 that Of section third
~ my bin. which outlines the impo~.
tnuf functions of the commission. has
attracted the attention 81 an familiar
Win th" contents uf both documents "
The Republican party had created a
tariff board. but one Of frr fret acts