The Washington times., 1916-03-29

then the foremost protagonist OF the
commission idea. He had made u
study OF the tariff systems and the
commission methods OF about all the
world, and even 10 this time not much
has been added TO his analysis OF
the subject.
At that time, the old-line Republic
cans were almost to a man bitterly
hostile to commission legislation.
They took the ground that Congress
had no business defeating SO I'M,
was at that time already some SEN
timent In favor Of creating n COM
mission with executive authority act
uaIiy to hx rates of duty. :,
The opposition seized upon this ana
made the answer that II would be un-
con stitutional to authorize a cont
mission to Ak tariff rates, because un-
der the Constitution Congress alone
has the power to forTula;e revenue
LEGISLATION and tarin rates conRti-
tute a leading rource OF revenue.
InsurRent Republicans favored some
sort OF a tnrif commission ana
l%SSs that Of time ns nesriS the
entire BODY OF the Republicans have
come Ia support the proposal On
the other hand, II has lost ground
with Democrats. who as soon as they
out any delay.
Fear of Tariff Issue.
The unsatisfactory results OF the
Republican PAYNE Aldrich tarin ard
also OF the Democratic Underwood
measure have bsen largely response
BILE for the development OF Con-
gressinnsl sentiment in favor OF =
commission. Ir both parties there Is
~ hA iraI
than for many years.
Veteran politicians OF both parties
consider that the party which un-
dcrtakes q general tariff revision surh
invites disaster at the polls, The
commission presents method OF
aynid!ng the i,rmsdIS ,,;ss iioSue p;roposa
IN sem. form win pass the senate this
session Is declared by leading Demo-
cratic Senators to be absolutely GER
tain. provided only that vote can De
reached. Thus. Senator Kern OF In
| diana, the Democratic leader in the
upper body, IL quoted by representatives
OF the Tariff Commission League to
| this effect.
Other Senators say that the senate
az now constituted will do anything
that the President asks OF II. and as
he Is insisting on a tarin commission,
| he Is as good as certain to carry the
measure to the upper branch.
Not So Easy in House.
| The situation In the House is not so
easy. The Presidents control OF the
Democratic majority IN that side Is loss
| secure than in the Senate. NeVerthe-
less, a parliamentary program for pass
ing the measure has been practically
| agreed upon.
| Tho tariff commission measure. after
l hi Ara faA 90 ha of OP
leaders, Is to be attached as a section
to the omnibus revenue bill. which must
be passed, and in this form its success
| In the House Is believed to be prac-
ticaily assured.
| The Administrator commission bill,
which has Just been introduced by Mn.
Roiney OF Illinois, provides for COM
mission of six members. appointed by
the President and confirmed by the
Senate. Not over three may be of the
same political party. and they are to be
appointed for terms of two. four. six.
! after the first two years there will be
| one vacancy every biennium.
The salary is fixed at $1,000. and no
person who has been a member OF
| either the House or Senate will be
eligible for membership.
The commission shall conduct lnvesti-
cations OF tariff subjects and the rcla-
! tDns of American to foreign tariff sys-
TENS. Whenever called upon II shall
report to the President. the Senate
Committee on Finance. or the House
Committee on Ways and Means
To Be Given Broad Powers.
che President or either OF these com
mittees may direct the commission to
make a special investigation. An an
nual report shall be made at the open
ing Of Congress In December each year.
whether II Is specifically called for
or not.
Very broad powers OF inquiry are
lodged In the commission, reaching 10
tariff relations with other, countries,
commercial figures, preferential pro,
visions, export bounties, preferential
transportation rates dumping by foreign
countries, the volume OF importations
compared with domestic production, and
the conditions, causes and efrectsrela ting
to the competition OF foreign industries
with those of the United States, in
Guiding cost of production.
II will he observed that the commits
sion Is giveE no pawers whatever Of
administration. 1t Is not even specific
ally given the authority to RECOMMEND
particular rates of duty or custom;
regulations.
in this regard tho measure Is moi
altogether satisfactory to some Of Tho
more radical commission advocates
among whom is observable an increasing
desire to create commission with
power actually to make rates Of duty
: without Congressional action.
5 Difference of Opinion.
= There Is a sharp difference of opinion
Z whether this can be done constitution
Q ally. The liberal constructlonists insis
!. that such n delegation OF authorlt!
: could be made within the Constitution
: II Congress. IN preparing its revenue
: budget. would include Requirement
8 that a certain nxed sum should b
: raised from cstoms taxation. and thei