Evening journal., 1917-12-20
TIIAr TAnIFF coMnnssIoN REpORT.

NHERE ls nothing OF SURPRISING interest in the nrst
4 nual report OF the United States Tariff Commission
Just presented Congress The report devoted to
what tho commission proposes TO do than TO what It has
It's lean record Of achievement is doubt due in
large the war; which has restricted the actv
Ties Of Professor Taussigs bureau.
Tho bill providing for tho commission It win be remem-
bered passed september & 1916, but II not until
March o. following that Mr.. Wilson appointed this
Bipartisan" body three Democrats and three other
tlemen who had assisted him 10 carry the 1916 election
A Democratic secretary added later
or chief interest to Republicans the hint dodglng in
and out Of the report that there should be an upward
revision tariff schedules under the guiso OF
enues needed Whether this from the white House.
from Secretary McAdoo II is hard 10 say but 70 Is
quite possible that the tariff commission backed by tho
Administration, will endeayor TO induce Congress 20
dertoke upward tarn revision Ot sort with a
view TO stealing Republican thunder and winning tho
Congressional election OF 1918 Tho Administration has
changed its mind to the point where It believes that pro-
lection by any other would smell sweeter In the
nostrls Of the majority Of the voters. The Republican
party Congress should the greatest vigilance
that the people do not follow the shadow only 20 find
themselves denied the substance. Certain It is that
grossly sectional democracy cannot draft national pro-
tective tariG law.
Tho commission deyoies large amount Of space IN its
report TO interim legislation analogous TO the socalled
paddock laws" of parts of continental Europe This
recommended designed prevent looses revenue in
time of tarin internal legislation by unusual
importatons large Withdrawals Of bonded goods in
anticipation Of higher rates Of taxation. The report
gess that the adoption by vendors Of protecting
in contracts for sales would relieve them of embarass-
ment incident Increased taxes That looks feasible and
it might be well TO try it out.
The sdvisabity overhaulng the customs admnistra-
tive laws is suggested They give pretty general sasfac-
ION they stand and the result Of 20 years Of
non-potical discussion and amendment Free ports arc
discussed but the commission admits that "a careful
survey must be made before IL would be safe TO
that the plan would be successful workable the
United States II this plan promises to tighten the bur
dens Of demurrage drawbacks and bonded warehouses;
should be thoroughly investigated.
II is admitted that the chemical industry vl have
face now conditions at the conclusion of peace our
friend sugar is in for another investigation, and
tcnsve report is being prepared bargaining tariffs
which the commission seems to favor but which would
be deadly in a country Of such diversified industries
the United States The general and conventional tariff
of Germany is referred TO, and the maximum and mini
mum French tariN is described tariff similar TO that
passed by the Republicans 1902 and which huge
success stopping European determinations against
goods Naturally the commission could not get by with
out bid for little unket, they popular nowadays.
So is suggested that OF the members go abroad
60 gather data with regard to recent pacs But
the wording those pacs before them and here
their studies Will not be interrupted by the drum-nre Of
cannon so the commission had best remain at and
save the money