Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-03
ruE TARIFF COMMISSION

Since the passage of the tarin la"
which provides a way but not the
funds for the Tariff Commission 10
investigate conditions affecting the
tariff and thus afford the President q
basis on which he may make changes
in the rates, a food OF requests Tor
Investigation has poured in, accord
ing to reports. AS the present ap-
propriation for the work OF the COM
mission is but $4,000, it may readily
be inferred that the investigations
will for the present be of limited
scope. However, there is promise
later of funds adequate to the UNDER
taklnSs. Its work is designed to be
collecting data which all recognize IS
needed If we are to maintain an
equitable tariff and means to that end
should he granted.
Under the law the commission is
70 be composed half Of Republicans
and half of Democrats, though 1t mas
not ESCAPED notice that the Republic
cans chosen by President Wilson were
known as Wilson men," Those who
are reckoned as "stalwart" Republl-
cans are William Burgess and
Thomas o. Marvin, the present
chairman, these being appointed by
President Harding. William S. Gull
bertson, the vice-chairman, was APP
pointed by President Wilson as Re-
publican He had been an examiner
for the old Board, is educated as
lawyer and has travelled extensively.
He was rcappointcd by President
Harding.
The Commission as at present made
UP 10: Thos. o. Marvin Of Massa-
chusetts, VIM. S. Culbertson of Kan
sas, David ]. Lewis of Maryland, Ed
ward Z. Costigan of Colorado, Thos.
Walker Page Of Virginia, and VIM.
Burgess Of New Jersey. The latter
is the only member experienced in
practical business, being a manu-
facturer Of pottery and also long &C
quainted with government service.
The Treasury Department sent him
abroad on tariff Investigations six
different times and for three years he
was a consul in England's chief pot
terry district. Mr. Marvin as secre-
tary Of the Home Market Club and
editor Of the Protectionist brings
valuable training to the position.
Mr.. Lewis is a self educated coal
miner. a lawyer: was champion in
Congress Of parcel post legislation
and ardently favors government own
ership Of telegraph and telephone
lines. Mr.. Costigan is a lawyer, was
attorney for the United Mine Work
ers at the time OF the Colorado coal
strike
Or. Page, the x-chairman. who has
done excellent work on the Commits
sion and contributed notably to it's
usefulness during the reconstruction
OF the tariff, is to resign, his services
having been solicited by the Institute
of Economics, established by the
Carnegie Foundation. This requires
President Harding to select a Demo-
crat for the place.
While the President and not the
Commission will be responsible for
any changes which may be made I'M
der the flexible provision Of the tariff
law and it is obligated to keep itself
informed respecting any "discrimi-
nations" against our commerce, it
presumably arranges the order for
making its Investigations. Under this
so-called flexible tariff the President
may increase or reduce the rate by
so per cent. it being the purpose to
provide against rates being too low
as well as against those which may
be found to be too high. There 10
some skepticsm respecting this in
tent to empower the President in
time of emergency TO exercise certain
discretion concerning the revenue
regulating prerogative OF Congress.
but there should be no question as to
the need Of accurate data pertaining
TO this important function Of govern
ment.