Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-30
LINES ABOUT LAID
FOR TRIP TO EUROPE
Commission Provided for by
Pending Tariff Bill to Go
Abroad.
WILSON TELLS OF PLANS

WesniHS ioH, jury S1.-oHS Va t"S
first tasks assigned to the tariff COM
mission to be created by the pend
ing revenue bill may be tour Of
European countries, including the
belligerents, to study the effect Of the
war on industrials and trade rela-
tions OF the United States, and to re-
port particularly information which
might aid in the adjustment Of duties
likely to follow the declaration OF
peace.
Administration officials let it be-
come known that the plan to send
the proposed commission abroad was
being seriously considered in making
public today letter from President
Wilson to Samuel M. Hastings Of
Chicago. president Of the Illinois
Manufacturers association, in reply
to q telegram from the association
suggesting that special commission
be appointed to visit all foreign ma
tons to investigate economic con-
ditions. He said whether the mo.
ment to act upon the suggestion was
opportune was open to serious ques-
ton, but when circumstances justi-
fed Il he intended to take advantage
Of the revenue bills provision for in
vestigation by the tariff commission.
The letter, in part, follows: 4,
Study Economic Relations.
1T was with real interest and ap-
probation that ] received your sug-
gcstion for the appointment OF .
comn,ission to visit the belligerent
nations for the purpose OF studying
the means whereby closer economic
relations might be brought about be-
tween the United States and Europe.
The general idea underlying your
suggestion had for . long time been
much in my thoughts. Whether this
ID the opportune moment to act on
Il, however, d open to serious Ques.
ton.
"Let me say that when circum-
stances justify II, | shall take advan-
taRe Of that provision of the Rainey
bill under which the president 10 au-
thorixed to direct an examination OF
investigation by the tariff commits
sion Of trade relations between the
United States and foreign countries
including the conditions, causes and
effects Of the competition OF foreign
industries with those OF the United
States.
after al, what we are interested
in u to ascertain all the facts sur
rounding our economic life and TO
disconnect q fundamental thing like
Inc fiscal policy OF the government
\ with regard to duties on imports
from party politics. We shall strive
10 do this through the instfunltti,
tality OF . permanent noft-partisArll
commission, composed Of able and
experienccd men, u that when tbe
facts are once obtained, the hand
ling Of our tariff question may no
longer b Hasas \ Ms, aQQt ballot p = Y
1 Te al AS 1des.
1T ought to be possible BY such
means 10 WAkc tuS VuSsIVH Va uutS
merely question 81 progress and
development q question Of adapting
means to the end, Of facilitating and
helping business, and employing to
Inc Utmost the resources Of the
country III vast development Of our
business aud enterprise. a,S IN 4.
Through the federal trade com.
mission, which substitutes the mildei
processes Of helpful counsel fqr the
harsh process Of the law, We already
have for the first time q compilation
q the trust laws Of the world, to.
aether with complete analysis loi
the manner in which foreign govern.
ments encourage their business en-
terprises and associations. A com
mittet OF the house of representa-,
tives now has under discussion bill
to permit corporation among Amer
lean manufacturers and business rner
exclusively for export trade. SO thai
American enterprise may be able tc
meet more successfully the organ
lied competition with which they arr
face to face in international mar
kets," s