Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-03-16
LONG WAITING.

7 y the campaign OF 1916 the Democratic party con-
trved TO eliminate the tariff an influential issue
by providing for what It designated "non-partisan
tarin commission" arguing that this commission would
make impartial Investigations OF industrial and com
mercal conditions and report Congress data which
would form the basis for such import duties az cond
tions required BY an overwhelming majority the peo-
pie OF the United states believed protective tarin neces
sary in order prepare this country for competition
after the war But many also thought tarr comms-
sion would best able furnish the Information for
the solution OF the problem and therefore. dsre-
garded this issue when they cast their ballots last No
vember
Having served its political purposes during the
paign the project for tariff commission seemed to
have dropped More than six months elepsed be-
fore tho act was passed but President Wilson did not
designate until this week the individuals who would
constitute that body
If created in accordance with the spirit OF the act this
commission would be one Of the most important in our
governmental system It's membership, therefore, should
been submitted TO the United States Senate early in
in order that members OF that body
who are required by the Constitution 10 pass judgment
upon the fitness OF tho appontees should have ample
opportunity to perform that duty advisedy. But Presi-
dent Wilson let the session to its close without
laying before the the Of the persons whom
he deemed best fitted for service a "non-partisan'
tariff commission
Naturally this delay give rise to speculation as TO the
President who was formerly opposed to the tariff COM
mission idea had again changed his mind and reverted
TO his former attitude OF opposition since his advocacy
OF a commission had served its campaign purpose The
other suggestion was that he might have determined in
his own mind the personnel Of the commission but waited
until Congress had adjourned before making appoint
ments in order that the Senate might be deprived Of
its opportunity to pass immediate judgment upon their
fitness II appointed during OF Congress, the
members would servo until tho Senate had an Oppor
tunity to confirm or reject After commissioners had
served several months it would be much more diff
cult for the Senate 20 reject nomination than it would
be IL they had been given opportunity to take action
Immediately after the nominations we're made
Whichever explanation be the true one, the outlook
was all rcassurng II the President had abandoned
his advocacy OF a tariff commission then it TO be
expected he would appoint if he appointed at ALL men
who would themselves havo little interest in the
OF a tariff commission experiment. IT, the other
hand his purpose had been merely to deprive the Sen
ate OF opportunity to pass upon his selections the in
be that he doubted whether his appontees
would acceptable the Senate II the latter be true
then scarcely be expected that the tariff commits
son in view OF its personnel at last announced and
OF the clear violation Of the bipartisan provisions OF
the act will either merit or obtain the confidence OF
the American people.
Meanwhile, We are nearing tho end OF the war and
have made no progress toward legislation for the pro
lection OF American industries which maintain far high
er wage scales and shorter days OF labor than are
maintained in Europe and Asia The policy OF watch
full waiting have been adopted in connection
with industrial preparedness, and VIC shall take no
steps to fortfy American industries until we again find
ourselves in the midst OF commercial conflict