392 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 
the board to secure information as to the cost of production in this 
country of all goods affected by the tariff law, and the cost of their 
production in foreign countries. ‘Two members of the board, Professor 
Emery, its chairman, and Mr. Reynolds, have already visited Europe 
in obedience to the president’s orders. Professor Emery has recently 
returned for consultation, leaving Mr. Reynolds abroad pursuing the 
work there. 
The findings and publications of the board can not hereafter fail to 
reach congress either directly or by a presidential message, or otherwise, 
and in matters of tariff legislation should expedite hearings, and fur- 
nish solid foundation for intelligent tariff schedules. 
In determining the construction to be put upon the language of a 
legislative act, the debates at the time of its consideration and passage 
are regarded as important factors in discovering the intention of the 
legislature as to its scope and meaning. 
Senator Aldrich, of Rhode Island, the chairman of the finance com- 
mittee, introduced the amendment in the senate. Senator LaFollette, 
of Wisconsin, who was notoriously in favor of a tariff commission, 
charged that the provisions were purposely such as to render any action 
by the proposed board of little, if any, value in future tariff legislation, 
and that no adequate appropriation would be made. Whereupon Sena- 
tor Aldrich spoke as follows: 
The duties of the commission, the parties to be named by the president, are 
defined in this act. They will also be defined by the president. So far as the 
appropriations are concerned, they will undoubtedly be made. This provision 
was put into the bill in good faith. It was agreed to by the senator from 
Indiana (Senator Beveridge) who aided in the preparation of it, and it covers 
all the suggestions and the requirements of the various organizations that have 
been asking us to provide for the appointment of a commission of this kind. 
On the other hand, Senator Hale, of Maine, remarked: 
I do not understand the provisions in any way constitute a tariff com- 
mission. . . . If I believed that the provisions of the bill would do anything 
more than allow the president to appoint experts that might from time to time 
report, and, if necessary, be sent to congress by the president, and that it would 
be a commission such as the senator wants, I would not vote for the proposition. 
Later Senator Aldrich said: 
This is not intended to be a partisan or non-partisan commission. It is 
intended to assist the president in carrying out the work that is assigned to 
him by the provisions of this section. It is also intended that they shall ex- 
amine all questions pertaining to tariff matters and the products of foreign 
countries, so that they may have expert knowledge as to discriminations. For 
that purpose they will need to be acquainted with industrial conditions in this 
country and in other countries. 
Whereupon Senator Bacon, of Georgia, interrupted and said: 
If the senator will pardon me a moment I would like to draw his attention 
to the fact that the amendment proposes that these appointees—whatever name 
