Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-03-12
TIE SCHOONER
Problem of AtklnsOn's A 3 g Of the Tarin
Solved by David b. Curtis.
Tn fhs Eifif0r or ths RegiSfer


Problem of AtkInsOn's \ OF the Tariff
Solved by David d. Curtis.
To ne Editor OF ths Register.
SIR:-I have Just received the A B c
OF the Tariff by Hon. q. w. Atkinson.
This wonderful A b c Tariff Primer has
been sent TO the wrong person, because
have taught in the public schools OF
West Virginia during the past twenty
TWO years, and have been student OF
the political economy OF the United
States during the last decade, and l
think IL is now very humiliating to BE
set back in the A B OF the Tariff
Primer. Perhaps this retrOgreSSion Is
largely due 20 the size OF my Uranium
and my mental relation 70 "Dewee,
however, l will assume the ability 10
solve the Hon. e. w. Atkinson's
schooner problem. The following A b
C Of the Tariff axiOms are taken as the
base Of the solution:
Consumers cost OF foreign cOmmodi-
ties equals consumers cost OF Ameri-
commodities. FIX. s. protection plus
= equals SO.
Foreign manufacturers and mer-
chantmen pay the American duties on
imports.
3 The consumer pays no duty. So
lution-Let X equal what the Canadian
fisherman must have left with the con-
sumner. and equal tax, duty toll or
tariff the same pup having four Names
5 plusN equals $ plus y equals $40
equal American price Of one barrel OF
mackerel. $40 equals what the conSum-
er maid for one barrel according 70 At
kinson. $50 minus X) eQueal $50 minus
VI EQUALS - equals what the Canad ian
carried away.
is plus xl plus IS plus y equals $50
equals what the consumer paid for two
barrels. l) $40 minus equals =. 81
=, Mus plus - plus Y equals $50.
By transportation. 80 minus Nequais
%. l4l plus Y equals I.
BY addition. y equals = equals duty
paid bv the Canadian. (5j $40 minus
eoualSSS l6l = plus Y plus : y equals
$50.
BY trausposition CD minus Y equals
minus -. tSl plus equals i.
BY addition equals s. equals whatthe
Canadian fisherman Left with the con-
sinner. according 10 Atkinson's con-
clrsion. The Canadian fisherman re-
ceived $40 per barrel from which he
Maid - dutv. left - with the consumer
and carried away - for every barrel OF
,nackerel he sold in the American mar
5et Republicans, Democrats, mathe-
maticiauS, lOgicianS and eminent Amer
lean statemen, do you believe that the
above conclusion is correct? The above
solution has been made according TO
Atl,inSon's aXiOms and his conditions OF
the probiem. = plus s., plus s. equals
SO. EQUALS American market pCce OF
ono barrel Of mackerel, which is ABSURD,
Notwithstanding the Hon. G.. w. Atkin-
S.. defes proof 20 the contrary. Proof
at absurdity. The American consumer
maid SO per barrel, from which the
the Canadian fisherman paid s., the re-
.ouired duty. on each barrel of mackerel;
- plus - equals $40.
Ii is absolutely impo.itic and redicu-
lousy insulting for a G.. w. Atkinson,
a Daniel Webster, or any other dlStln-
guished statesman, 10 defautly assert
that foreign producers and merchant
men paw the American duties on i'm
ports. The American people own the
Government of the United States and
nav lis expenses. The minimum for
e.gn market price of commodities, plus
American duties, is the maximum mar
l,pt urice of foreign and domestic goods
in rbe United States. Any departure
from this maximum or standard price
by increase or diminuitiOn OF
frrFt IN
variably proves disastrous 10 either
producer or consumer in q correspond
ing ratio. The Constitution OF the
United States delegates power 20 the
national legislature to levy tax or
duty ON imports from foreign countries,
tho result OF which is a protected Spe-
cial privilege 10 manufacturers aud pro-
ducers TO fix the highest standard mar
ket price of foreign aud domestic goods
20 consumers The consumer has no
legally protected power to control the
market price OF any commodity what
ever. Example-The consumer of
mackerel must accede 10 the price
rSS plus - fixed by the American fisher
man. There has been war between the
consumer and producer for thirty years.
The tariff issue mas been the cause
of six hard fought political bat
Ties, in which the following
weapons were used: National
legislation, the money and influence Of
milliouaires, deception, lucrative Offices,
and pension peddling. Another battle
will be fought next November, the re-
suit OF which will depend upon the po-
Itical education OF voters. Voters
should be educated to decide what tariff
system is best adapted 10 the necessities
of government, to promote and protect
the industries of the Uuited States
against foreign competition, and To Sc
cure Sixty-two millions of consumers
against exorbitant prices. Thus educa-
ton should be given in the spirit Of
true statesman and not in the spirit OF
a designing demagogue.
DAVID b. CURTIS.