THE TARIFF BOARD 395 



the board and to permit it and its agents, to examine all papers, 

 statistics, evidence, files, etc., in their custody. Such a course would 

 commend itself on the ground of dispensing with duplication of labor 

 and therefore saving expense to the government. 



From these considerations it will appear that the scope of the act 

 providing for the tariff board is sufficiently broad for present purposes, 

 and the only action from congress needed is to provide adequate appro- 

 priations. To bring about this result, the continued interest, on the 

 part of all persons who desire intelligent tariff laws, and their reason- 

 able and honest administration, is required. 



The board can not assume or be given the congressional prerogative 

 of making the rates any more than the president can make the rates 

 under this law. He can proclaim the event, upon the happening of 

 which congress says the different rates shall go into effect. The Supreme 

 Court so held in Field vs. Clark, 143 U. S., 692. 



As time shows the necessity, and the work of the board commends 

 itself, or requires it, changes doubtless will be needed in the law; 

 notably some provision authorizing the tariff board to present the facts 

 directly to the ways and means committee, whenever any tariff legisla- 

 tion is before congress. The board should furnish data and memoranda 

 with verifying witnesses, who could be examined by the ways and means 

 committee and by parties interested. In this way the whole people of 

 the country would be represented before the committee in a substantial 

 manner, where now they are practically unrepresented so far as the 

 presentation of the case by witnesses and counsel is concerned. As a 

 check upon the accuracy of the work of the board, parties interested 

 should have the privilege of cross-examination, and also the right to 

 bring before the congressional committee, which is independent of the 

 board and of the department to which it belongs, experts of their own ; 

 these experts in turn to be subject to cross-examination by counsel 

 representing the tariff board. 



Congress has taken a great step towards the scientific disentangle- 

 ment of the tariff subject, and towards the consequent enlargement of 

 our foreign trade, and it only remains for the people of the United 

 States to give their cordial support to the board in every reasonable 

 endeavor it makes to obtain the facts which are at the basis of the 

 solution of this intricate and vexing question. Thus will future con- 

 gresses be able and willing to deal with the tariff in an equitable way. 



