The Indianapolis journal., 1896-12-22

for the first time I'm our history. more than
one-fourth the total value OF all sales
In foreign markets. II these products We're
products of other parts OF the world and IL
the prices at which they are sold were not
as low as the prices demanded by our for
eign competitors they could not md a mar
ket outside the limits OF our own country.
The expectation Of manufactured products
would not go continuously year after
year at an increasing rate unless there was
profit for our people IN the operation. nor
unless IS the markets m which Sney , re sola
preference TO the American article over Ike
articles produced elsewhere
The annual increases since -Ss2 IN the
quantities and values of exported .nanufac-
lures. Notwithstanding the extremely low
prices which have p-hvailed an all the trar-
kets OF the world. are without parallel IN
our commercial history. and furnish ~ en-
conclusive evidence OF industrial power and
capacity 10 compete successfully Slth tee
outside world in production and sTade as
ought TO convince our people t1at protect
i've duties on imported goods cannot oe
hereafter justified or excused upon the plea
that they necessary for the encourage
ment of capital or the security or labor In
this country
''UNAFFECTED'' CLASSES.
But an examination of the various gain
full pursuits in which the people OF the
United States were engaged in 1890. which
is the date of the latest official returns
upon the subject. will show that. even il
competition now than we were then. the
number of those who can be adversely af-
fected by the importation OF products from
abroad is so small. i'm comparison with our
total population, that il would be both inn
polite and unjust TO persist in system
of taxation designed for the special pro-
lection of their interests at the expense of
all others. OF the five great classes or
groups into which the total population en-
gagged I'm gainful occupations t22. 566) Is
divided, three-professionals. al. S2S domes-
tic and personal servants. 4.360.506. and per-
sons engaged in trade and transportation.
3 325, ,962-may be excluded at the outset
exempt from foreign competition. No tar
ih duties affect these classes. except
by increasing the cost of many OF the COM
modities which they are compelled 10 buy
'Of the agricultural. mining. and fishing
group, numbering 9.0l3,669 only a very
small percentage can be subjected 20 direct
competition with the foreigner, and this
part is located on or near the seacoast or
other borders of our country. Ii IL safe to
say that not more than 10000 persons.
about 5la per cent. of those engaged in
agriculture. mining, and fishing I'm this
country can be i'm any degree adversely af-
fected by competition from abroad. all
these are wholly or partially compensated
for foreign Interference in their home mar
ket by the increased sales which interna-
tional trade secures for their own prod
ucts in foreign markets.
I'm considering the manufacturing and
mechanical industries, for the purpose of
ascertaining to what extent they can be
subject to foreign competition, the follow
ing general propositions may. L think. be
accepted as the basis for Just conclusions:
Il. A large and continuous export of a
particular class OF articles rlovcs an ability
to manufacture as cheaply as any foreign
competing nation.
-. Natural advantages, ouch as the prox-
unity or cheapness of raw material, inven-
tiveness. special aptitudes, and facilities Sc
cured by an extensive use OF superior ma
clude foreign competition.
bakers, blacksmiths, carpenters, masons
and others are necessarily local: the work
must be done at a particular place. and.
consequently, foreign competition is impos-
sible.
IL. The expenses of importation-the cost
of transportation, insurance, loss or inter-
est etc.-prevent competition from abroad
i'm many kinds of manufacturing and me-
chanical products.
"AFFECTED' CLASSES.
Applying these propositions in the inves-
tigation of the industries known manu-
featuring and mechanical,' the result may
be most briefly and conveniently stated in
the form of table. in which the interests
subject to more less foreign competition
are classified as nearly as possible accord
ing to the tariff schedules and in accord
ance with an extremely liberal view Of the
question:"