The New York herald., 1922-07-17
SENATE LEADERS OUT
FOR TARIFF REFORM
Poindexter and Capper,
Both Protectionists, Ask
Scientific Basis.
WOULD AMEND BILL
IndOrse Frelinghuysen's
Idea of Data Collected
by Commission.
CENTURY OLD PROGRAM
Washington Member Says the
Country Demands Crude
Processes End.
CENTURY OLD PROGRAM

IOCcSoCo EHus
Special Dispatch to THE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. July 16.
Senators Poindexter (Wash.) and
Capper (Kan.), both Republicans, is
sued statements to-day indorsing the
Frelinghuysen amendment to the pend
ing Fordney -McCumber tariff bill pro-
viding for the establishment of rates
based on scientific data collected by
the Tariff Commission.
Their approval Of the proposal was
hailed by the committee, for nom
partisan scientific tariff as a decided
step toward the advancement Of the
plan, since both Senators are of the
liberal wing of the Republican party
and firm protectionists.
The advocates of the proposal de-
clare that the numerous Endorsements
1t has received in recent weeks indi-
cate the growing belief that a reform
is necessary in the writing OF tariffs.
the much condemned Fordney- Nc
Cumber bill being held up as sample
Of the unscientific and log rolling
methods employed in establishing
rates. Senator Poindexter has been
an advocate of tariff reform for long
time, while Senator ,Capper is hailed
as one Of the heads Of the agricultural
tariff bloc in the Senate.
IT am in favor OF the amendment
proposed by Senator Frelinghuysen for
a bipartisan scientific tariff I am
convinced that the present method Of
framing tariff legislation Is impractical
and unbusinesslike. I believe that Sena-
tor Frelinghuysen' plans for scien-
tifc tariff, based on costs to be deter
mined by non-partisan commission
and to be effective when announced by
the President Of the United States, will
be of incalculable benefit to the people
of this country"
For Scientific Basis.
Senator Poindexter said: Il have
been very much in favor of tariff
commission that would relieve the cour-
try and the Congress Of some OF the
illogical situations to which they nave
been subjected heretofore in the ordeal
of tariff revision, and would relieve the
industry and business of the country or
the periodic revolutions of Industrial
conditions, upheavals, destruction and
loss that come through wholesale revis-
ion of the tariff, brought about first by
one political party and then by another.
There is growing sentiment
throughout the country in favor OF
taking the tariff, so far as the making
of the schedule of rates is concerned,
out of politics. or course. the tariff
policy of the country--that Is, the ques
ton of whether we should estapiish
what has come to be known as system
of protection by means of taxes levieu
upon imports--cannot be taken cut OF
nolitics because it Is a matter which
ultimately must be determined by the
people at large through force OF public
opinion operating in elections. Wnen
the people have expressed their opinion
as to the question Of this policy. the
only way in which 1t can be carried out
is through an act of Congress
.rrha ascertainment of questions OF
fact should proceed upon systematic and
scientific lines In fact, 1t is In itself
a scientific question. 1t Is just as un-
reasonable to undertake to settle such
scientific question-to arrange all these
various classifications and gradings ana
to assemble the mass OF minute detalis
necessary to determine the comparative
costs in a political campaign by CAM
paien speeches, political meetings, torch
light professions, and in the last analy-
sis by discussions in the committees and
upon the floors of Congress---as 1t would
be to undertake to make a chemical
ANALYSIS of the contents OF a glass OF
water on the hustings or In congress
sional debate.
"And vet strange to say. though we
have been dealing with the question of
n tariff for a hundred years or more we
have never yet progressed beyond tnat
crude way of making tariff schedules.
aside from what already has beer.
stated as to the advantages OF this
method OF ascertaining the requisite
tariff facts and putting them into effect.
such a system has the following merits /:
II would very likely permanently settle
the tariff question, because. by the opera
tions of this system, the tariff would be
gradually and continually adjusted to
the constantly changing needs and con-
ditions Of business. so that excesses and
extravagances of profits on the one hand.
OF inadequate rates in the other. would
not give rise to the protests and dis
content which have brought about our
great tariff campaigns in the past
"The unsettled state of our tariff
after hundred and twenty-five years
OF discussion. is not due so much to a
difference of opinion among our people
on the policy Of the tariff. although
there is difference in that regard. as to
the unscientifc and impossible system
OF administering Il which we hereto
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