South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-12-15
FEDERAL TARIFF
OFFICIAL TO TALK
AT CLUB BANQUET
Edward p. Costigan, Wilson
Appointee, Will Address
Knife and Fork Club.


the season. the board OF directors
OF the Knife and Fork club. Is en-
deavoring 10 provide at the monthly
meetings for 1922-23 expert discus
sions OF vital. present-day national
and international problems. In Octo-
Der the author OF the Kansas Indus
trial court, presented the method
adopted in his state for peaceful
legal adjustments Of differences be
tween employers and employees, with
equal justice 10 both. In November.
L. noted traveller and keen observer
familiar with conditions in the Near
East" lucidly set forth the existing
facts from his point OF view.
For the meeting OF Dec 10, the di-
rectors have selected as the princi-
pal topic OF discussion the present
United States tariff law. which re-
Gently has been bitterly denounced
and as strenuously upheld during
a heated political campaign. For
the consideration and presentation
Of this subject, the board has been
most fortunate IN securing the Hon
orable Edward =. CosUgan who. ap-
pointed by Pres't Wilson in the
spring OF 1917, has for more than
FIVE years been a member OF the
United States tariff commission.
This body, like the recently ap-
pointed one on the coal question was
n fact finding" commission. It's
duty was 20 study the whole question
OF duties on imports. This involves
the revenue 20 be obtained and the
economic effect upon both producers
and consumers in this country. The
latter Is no less important than the
former. From the protection view
point. the tariff should guard our
industries capital and labor
against the injurious competition OF
starvation wages In foreign COun-
tries. From the other viewpoint the
tariff wall should not be so high as
10 permit INSCRIPTIONS producers
TO reap exorbitant profits, through
n1onopolistic profteering upon the
helpless consumer.
Having carefully studied the whole
subject. II was the further duty of
the tariff commission 20 report its
findings 20 congress. with recommen-
tations for such changes as seem
cd 20 Il wise. The plan was admir-
able. The rerorts made from time
20 time gave evidence of painstak-
ing investigation. thorough re
search. and wise judgment. as i'm
partially affecting interests-geOgra-
phicaI. Industrial, producing or con-
suming-each fought for its spec
ia good. usually without regard 70
the general welfare. Political infiu-
ences were brought 10 bear and
members often voted against their
Judgment because they were afrail
OF their constituencies. The result
was always a compromise or n coal
ition. Thus the practical results OF
tho commissions labors were large
" nuuided by sectional seIhshness.
It has been found Impossible 70
secure just tariff by direct act OF
congress.
In the recently enacted Fordney-
McCumber tariff law an effort has
been made to remedy this evil Pow
or has been granted 10 the president
20 modify or abolish tariff rates III
such schedules. rs I'm practice are
found 10 work injustice. He IS re
epondble 10 the whole nation I'm
stead Of local constituency. More
over. the tariff commission has had
its powers enlarged from mere fact
finding 70 official advising. II is es-
reClally charged 20 advise the presl-
dent Of any changes which Il deems
best 10 have made. and very rarely
VIII a president be found 10 disre-
gard its recommendations.
The personnel OF the present COM
mission gives assurance Of wise I'm
partial Judgment. Mr.. Marvin and
Mr.. Burgess are old-une. protec-
uonists: Mr.. Colberson and Mr..
Cosugan wer5 Roosevelt progress
sives. and Mr.. Lewis is a Democrat
favoruC low tariff rates IL is a con-
Ferva;ive body though its members
are courageous IN support OF their
Corv.c.ious. They con be depended
upon 90 avoid radical innovations. /
while q. the sam, tine recommend /
Ing needed changes in any OF the
schedules
OF these members % the commits
sion we arc az present most inter-
csted En- COMMISSIONS Edward =
COstEan. who is 90 bs one OF the
two speakers at the Knife and Fork
club banquet next Tuesday evening.
lie was born IN Virginia IN 1874. Oh
tanning his a. Is. from Harvard. ne
went west was admitted 20 the
cav IN SAL Lake city. and began the
-racGce OF law I'm Denver in 1909,
We soon was prominent iE reform
activities -- the Honest Election
league. the Law Enforcement league, .
the Direct Primary league. and the
Direct LEGISLATION league lie was the
ORGANIZER of the Citizens party
which carried the municipal election .
jn Denve~ in 1912 lie organized the
Progressive party i'm Colorado and
was its candidate 10. governor IN
1912. he was attorney for the Unit
cd Mine Workers in the investiga-
ton Of tho coal strike OF 1914. and
represented tia, defendants I'm the
murder trials growing out OK the
strikes securing the acquittal OF his
clients
Ia 1917 he was appointed 20 his /
present position on the L. $ Tariff /
In 1915 Prcs't Woodrow
wilson sent him 20 France or a I
special mission 10 the battle front. I
Aside from this. Mr. Costigar has /
devoted himself for FIVE years 20 a /
study OF the tariff. His address viii /
surely De full OF interest as we'll as 4
Information on a subject OF which I
The ordinary citizens hears much I
and knows little
CORRESPONDENCE. Sarah Baird, 4