The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1917-01-09
TARIFF REvS|ONTO
BE HURRIED SAYS
MAINLAND REPORT
Democrats Wiling To Depart
From traditional Policy Antici-
pating Tariff Commission
a. i4N&5 lis 4A t&s 4
ADDITIONAL CENT ON #. .. 4
SUGAR SUGGESTED
Coffee Tariff May Be As High As
Four Cents a Pound, Accord |
ing To Rep. Fordney


The proposed Democratic revision Of
the tariff upwards will be taken in &c \
cordance with the expected suggestions
of the newly created tariff commission,
the Democrats feeling safe in now
breaking away from Democratic tradi4
tions over the tariff. The tariff as a
political issue is expected e-be wiped
out by the tariff commission before
1920. ar s..l r.. d. '..Gr.Ea. 49,. !
Such is the intimation conveyed in
correspondence from Washington To
The Advertiser, dated on December 10
Revision Of the tariff upwards, writes
this correspondent, is to prepare foIi
the expected invasion of the surplus
manufactures Of Europe and is likely
to form the most important action oil
the next congress-, according TO the
views of 4 member of the ways and
means committee conversant with the
attitude of President Wilson. ~
Such revision by the present con
gTess would be attempted were III
thought anything could be done til
overcome the deficit of 100000, 900 (
But with comparatively little being i'm
ported from Europe at present, an
raising of tariff schedules would btI
futile, said this congressman. He sal,
tariff revision seemed to be the only
acceptable means of taxation to pro ,
duce the needed revenue.
Obnoxious Measure
Tariff revision in the Sixty fifth Con,
gress, he continued, will come because
the measures this congress adopts t,
meet the deficit will be so obnoxious
that they can be retained no Longer
than necessity demands. Therefore
while not admitting that they are 90
ing to protective tariff in. the mex
session, responsible Democratic leader
today admit that there will be re
vision Of the tariff upward for revenue
purposes first and secondarily as pro
lection against the dumping of the
cheap products of Europe following
the war.
President Wilson, who has alread,
indicated that he would not oppose
revision of the tariff, will soon ap.
point the tariff commission so the next
congress- will be furnished with in.
formation upon which to act.
Republican leaders foresee the elm
ination of the tariff from politics ia,
1920, They believe such revision win
present new difficulties in waging the
national campaign in 1890.
Financial Adjustment Needed
This member of the ways and means
committee continued by saying that
after normal conditions are established
following the war there will necessarily
come a radical adjustment of revenue
In uJQ L.. hsg 800 In1 4
the States OF the Union will be under
prohibition and the government income
from taxation on whisky and liquors
will be heavily decreased. This income
in the next five years, it is estimated
will drop from 5000, 4s6, 474, last years
figures, to possibly not more than $780,.
100000. The next congress must con
slider this situation, and the Democrats
are in serious plight to find ways
and means Of obtaining money for the
ordinary expenses of government.
Counting on the next house being Re
publican, leaders of the present minor
ity are planning to offer "a revised tariff
bill along Republican lines without de
lay, so as to take this issue away from
the Democrats.
Booze Revenue Failing
Representative John J. Casey, Of
Pennsylvania, a Democratic member OF
the ways and means committee, admit
ting that there must come either Q
tariff revision or direct taxation, with.
prohibitive tax on beer and whisky,
said:
81 do not think that our committee
will be called upon to consider this sub
jeet this session. believe nothing
will be done without recomme ndations
from the nonparti8an. tariff commits
sion" -
Representative Joseph W. Fordney
of Michigan, ranking Republican mem
Der Of the ways and means committee,
believes the Democratic members of the
committee are considering new tariff
bill. Even though all the remaining
Panama Canal bonds were. sold, he said,
they could not cancel the deficit, as
there, are only $240,0O0,0O0 unsolu
bonds. "
"A consumption tax on coffee. tea
and sugar is being seriously consid
cred" said Mr.. Fordney. "a tax Of
-four cents a pound ON coffee would
bring $52,000O00 annually. A tax of
eight cents a pound on tea would swell
the treasury receipts by $4,000 900, and
one cent additional on sugar would
bring in $S0,O0O,O0O. That is a total
of $l4O,OOOiO00, far less than enough to
meet the needs Of the government"
Representative Rainey of Illinois, a
Democratic member of the ways and
means committee, admitted on the floor
today that the budget for the next cal.
endar year would be 1854 600, 1000,
more than the budgets of the individ,
ual nations at war in Europe.