Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-03
The Tariff Uncertainties.

The ghosts of slaughtered manufac-
lures will not down, and the Democratic
senators of the inner circle are again
summoned to concoct in secret other
changes Of the pending tariff bill. 1t is
only fresh proof of incapacity that they
hope to render the bill less harmful and
less offensive by the trifling alterations
which they suggest. Democratic news
papers are informed that it is intended to
raise the maximum of duties on woollens
from IS to 40 per cent, and from 40 to As
per cent on higher grades, with similar
notifications in other schedules, and that
, this is part of scheme which, it is
stoutly asserted, will command every
Democratic vote so that the bill will pass
about June l. One must suppose that
the leaders who dictate these modifica-
tions do 80 under extraordinary pressure
from their own party, in view of recent
elections. so that they are acting in a
measure under duress, but also that they
really believe these notifications will be
of some practical imp ortance in the mar
kets and in the elections
The truth is that they leave unchanged
fatal provisions which are far more i'm
portant than the small changes proposed.
In the wooden business, for example, it is
fatal that they open the door to almost
unlimited fraud in the valuation of goods
by sweeping away specific and ubstitu-
ting ad valorem rates on goods which can
easily be and often are invoiced at half or
two-thirds of their true value. Since the
! custom grew up OF cOnsigning such goods
to agents in this country, who are virtu-
ally mere confidential clerks of foreign
manufacturers and traders, the specific
duties alon. have afforded practical pro-
lection. In sweeping away these the
Democrats subject the manufacturer to
more dangerous and destructive COMPETE
ton, with ad valorema duties at 40 per
cent, than if they reduced duties to an
average of 20 per cent in specific forms.
The other fatal provision is that free wool
will indefinitely diminish the supply of
wool in this country, and make manufac-
turers completely dependent upon foreign
| markets. in which their foreign competi-
tors have irresistible advantages. Sew
eral millions of sheep have been slaught-
cred already since last spring. and free
trade in wool must send more to the
slaughter When the American manu-
facturer finds his supplies of domestic
wool entirely insult 'ient, AMI sends into
British markets for the wool he needs, he
will be completely at the mercy OF British
competitors. In comparison with this dis
advantage any proposed change in ad
valorem rates is insignificant.
Other changes said to be under contem-
plation AS II means of making the new
tariff less ffensive equ,lly fall short of
practical efficiency. l. will be found. in
all probability, that not single industry
which the pending bill would strike down
will be saved from destru tive COMPETE
ton by the alterations contemplated.
while the tremendous reduction in wages
in the mum Der of persons employed. and
in the purchasing power of the people,
will affect manufactures like prolonged
panic For six months the business of
the nation has been FRUSTRATED by tac ex-
pectation that the bill would he pass ri in
substantially the shape now proposed.
Thousands of mills are temporarily at
work because they can get certain orders
| filed before it takes effect. but much of
the recent production must cease if the
pending bill or anything like it goes into
effect, Meanwhile the actual decrease in
the volume of business has been not far
from 80 per cent for about six months.
Trade is restricted because part Of the
| usual buyers are out of work, and the
wages of the rest have been generally re-
,iucetl. Incompetent legislators n: Wash
tngton do not realize that extensive dis
lirbances of labor. which inevitably re-
suit from this state of things. mu.t con-
| time under any law which cuts down the
number of workers employed or the wages
which can be paid This disturbance of
labor makes it at all times gu stioaable
| whether manufacturing contracts can be
executed, and therefore restricts the Or
ders given or accepted. The frghtful I'M
certainty which is now the great depress-
ing force cannot be removed. but may be
indefinitely increased by bill which de-
mics to American la Dor the employment
and remuneration to which it has been
accustomed How prosperity can be ex-
pected under such changed conditions
Democratic leaders do not even attempt
to show.-[New York Tribune.