The Washington herald., 1917-10-13
The Tariff Again.

II any one of the lawmakers had
reported to his people sounds OF la
menting on the hill because, during
the lately ended extra session, all
political questions were dead and
buried, he would have been guilty
of Misrepresentation. We believe.
There was, in reality. little partisan
politics.
The next session promises some d.
version in this respect, however. An
earnest endeavor to restore the tariff
to its old position at the head of
the political list is to be made. and
1t is to have the active support OF
some of the most energetic business
men of the East. Just how far 1t
will get with Republicans is hard to
tell.
Karl Roebling and Wilbur Wake
man, of the American Protective
Tariff League. are beginning the af-
fair. At the outset they make the
statement that Not a single meas
ure has been passed by Congress to
protect american industries and labor
from foreign competition after the
war, and because the imports from
neutral and belligerent countries have
increased and are increasing beyond
anything known in our history under
the Underwood tariff law. cit is in
the interests of American production
and labor that IAN aggressive cam
paign be conducted"
A number of Senators who were in
the city yesterday received letters
from these gentlemen soliciting their
aid in the endeavor. The letters, ap-
parently. fell like the rain on both
the just and unjust, for both Demo-
cratic and Republican members were
handed the documents. And both,
strangely. tossed them over for fu-
ture reference. The Republicans, IL
was admitted by one of their num-
Der. wanted to see just what there
is to the commencement of the affair."
while the Democrats are curious to
see where it will lead. The Demo-
Gratis feel that their position Is safe.
The Republicans feel that Democrats
have renowned their free trade prin-
ciples to a considerable extent, and
that there Is grave danger that they
will justify their position to such a
degree that the Democrats will not
be punished but rewarded for their eff
forts.
The near approach OF the political
campaign, Of course, is expected to
hasten the political division of Con-
gress. There must be differences of
opinion in order to create issues, and
there must be issues in order to make
campaigns. There are patriotic issues
that appear to have been created in
some Of the districts and the States,
but these are not along political lines,
so for most part there must be a re-
opening of the partisan affair, in or
der to carry next years campaign on
in proper manner. The tariff is
sue may be clouded by others of
transcendent Importance, but the eff
fort to keep it at the top is to be
made during the Forthcoming regular
session, and will have to be either
created or dissipated there.
La Follette's Leadership.
BY his speech at the conclusion of
Congress Robert NJ. La Toilette, of
Wisconsin, won the leadership of the
anti-war party in the United States.
Just how much that amounts to
whether 1t is puny asset or a pom
derous liability-cannot be exactly
told at this time. But whatever it
is or whatever 1t eventually be-
comes, 1t belongs to Senator la Fol-
lette, his colleagues generally state,
No one has had either the opportuni-
ty or the courage to approach the
Winconsin Senator, and his title to
the leadership therefore cannot soon
be wrested from him.
No one at the Capitol, however,
will admit that La Toilette stimuli
taneously won the pacifstic' crown.
There is q distinction between the
titles which most Of the Consression-
ri leaders say y quite acuta. and