New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-11

FULL. TENT OF THE REPORT CONCERNING
HIS EXPORT BOUNTY SCHEME.

The Tribune publishes the following report IN
full OF the mon who were in the Lubin conference
recently held in Washington. 1t is COPIED from
THE Home Market Bulletin" OF Boston. 1t ap-
reared In the January number OF that Vauaoie
protective journal for tie first time. The con-
illusions arrived at by these economists in con-
ference, and Endorsed by so high an authority as
Robert T. Porter, exactly comedies with 'he
opinion held and formerly expressed by 1he IT'D
une that space is cheerfuliy given for its pub
Lcation so as to insure the report wide circulation:
BY invitation the undersigned participated in
conference at Washington. u. G.. December p and
o. 1885, to hear and consider the proposition or
David Lubin. of Sacramento. for the Nation 10 pay
culture The scheme had received approval from
numerous Boards OF Trade. from the Republican
shipping interest Of the country because 1t pro-
posed discrimination In favor OF American yes.
sels). and from the National Grange ana FARMERS
Nj. Lubin and Alexander, r. smith Of New New
York the editor Of "Selboard.' who were its prln-
cipal advocates at the conference. declared tnem,
selves as long Of the NaSna P6oy Sl
sisted that duties are inoPeratIye when mere rs ,
SURPLUS o' 10 eNP S pr Sha of un surplus is 70
pay A bounty its expectation. There We're
0iSeE % Of whom a2oMe Themselves protsc
tionists when the policy should be rounded out
OF the subject without prejudice and without any
previous conference willing to be convinced ana
alone irrespective OF it's political effect, although
two of US had given Il some previous stuiy ana
hal replied in published writings TO some OF ths
arguments In Its support During I've PROLONGED
sessions of the conference; IN watch ths adyoca;es
OF the proposition had az the tiIne that they te,
sired wien and otai atgamSniss were presenSed
and fun S0 2f h s6ec ~ up h eyry
light of which i; was cal able and to test me
became a conference OF this character, the utmost
courtesy arh goodwill prevailed and nothing was
The result was that failed to be convinced OF
either the economic soundness o. the proposIiion
Is iouHded IL aoes hei Stem oba 70 ooe:ion buf on
ince Of proec;on ana m-e in the nature Of
all the chances Of success or failure to themselves
compete With them upon equal terms. and under
this policy an enormous home market mas peen
sustain prices home. thus suggesting dependence
TO the slothful and overproductlon TO the thrifty.
and 10 depress prices abroad. thus purposey MUIR
ening at National expense the cost of producing
Protection stops at the National boundary. save
extends benefits to other countries in consideration
OF W on put All So b domain of
another. without its consent and possibly against
SIS protest. which is ab.e to provoke resprsa and
tend TO hostility. Protection causes the dversi-
cation of industries. which is always promoiive of
prosperity and civza ton while an export bounty
on few crude products must attract people 30
their production thus making National Industry
duces Protection builds home markets near and
continually TO the farms. and in this coun-
food products gaining so fast upon production
that there promised TO Re smaller surplus for
to the distant market. abandoning certainty for
certainty steadiness for speculation and mutually
for hostility.
These are not all the contrasts. but they suffice
to show how unrelated and actually inconsistent
tho two policies SO II seems I" us that if this
Nation should eyer. for any reason: pay bonnties
scope OF protection or as part OF that policy or
for the sake of equalizins it among classes or
This claim for equalization IS based upon the, as
added to the price of botn imported and domes-
tic goods, which, II j. contended, dlserTrina M
domestic manGfacturer Blu; it is not true com
petition renders 1t impossible And statistics show
hs the most Pinto into G he 20 Of o
and ,st the uses OF man is not eight cents higher
trade England This fact amounts 10 a demonsira-
ton that the assumption OF inequality is IN
only Isolated evidence. begs the question. scienc"
and craftsmanship are obliged 70 recognize the
prevailing fact And since the prevailing fact
robbed for the benefit of the manufacturer and
since in all agriculture that Is well diversified the
profits, under tariff that is fair are substantially
equal to those Of manufactures the average, the
proposition for bounty resolves Itself into de-
vice. to afford temporary profit to comparatively
the cost OF all the rest and without promoting the
general welfare. J; seems TO us IN every aspect
uneconOmic and unwise.
Its advocates who were free traders con;ended for
II only as "a fair distribution Of pundcr" and It's
advocates who were pro,ec,ionists admitted that il
would have no jus,ihca lion If protective duties do
no, essentially increase the cost OF goods. is
patriotic purpose and sincere spirit OF inl estgaton
without undue pride OF opinion or servituic Of com
Judgment free trade would be no remedy for the
evils complained or and M Smith in particular
rejected he should adhere to the protective policy