New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-12
VrrDED. DUTIES THAT PROTECT

In view Of the clatter which Free Traders are
-oisnc over the result of some city elections, as
" ,hosa were an answer of the voters to the pro-
visions of the House Tariff bill. IT seems 10 De
imagined that the veteran Republican leaders
~ tho Senate will get scared and cut down the
duties much below those proposed by the House
People who indulge that notion are likely 10 DE
disappointed. 1t was generally understood, be-
fore the House bill had been passed that some OF
Tho most influential Senators would favor a some
what lower rate of duty on part of the schedules
and II would not be in the least surprising if,
without the slightest regard to the results Ol
elections which had nothing to do with the tariff.
or 10 the clamors OF Free Traders. they were SIM
Of The same mind Doubtless part of the duties
nroposed might with safety or for revenue pur-
rosos no somewhat reduced while there are
others which could probably be raised But IT
10 safe 10 say that the Senate Finance Committee
will decide and report according to lis best Juus
rnent. as efficient and welbalanced protective
tariff as II can reasonably expect to have passed
In considering the matter most people imagine
that there must he, as in so many other con-
Germs there Is. safe and conservative lhlduie
ground and therefore incline 10 shrink from any
thing tending toward extremes. But me TACT
is that duty on imports either protects OF II
fails II it protects. that the home manufact-
IRE is enabled 10 develop without crushing for
eirn competition. then the competition between
American producers speedily brings down prices
10 reasonable accordance with the cost OF pro-
duction. II has been so in thousands OF cases
within the last few years Though the tlnpia'e
manufacture is young. and many OF the WORKS
have never yet had full years run OF fair pros
perjtv. they have already competed win each
other so vigorously that the selling price Is to-
day about 30 cents per box below the price Tor
corresponding foreign plates. The duty when
protects and does in fact bring about the devei-
opmcnt Of the home manufacture. pays for liseli
surely and quickly. in permanently reduced
cost Of the desired product.
But the duty which does not protect. even
though II falls short only little. produces no
good result whatever. as respects the develop
mcnt Of industries. IL may add TO the revenue.
and il certainly will tend 10 give ground for all
sorts Of cavi and carping about the tariff. as II
1, were unnecessarily high. and yet the bene1t
desired for the people will be wholly lost The
cost Of the product will be enhanced, because
connection between American producers is not
sufficiently stimulated and thus the people viii
be taxed. perhaps to the full extent OF the duty,
without benefting the industry in the least de-
gree. As general rule. the duty which aims to
protect. but barely fails. is just the worst kind
Of duty that can be imposed.
Since the experienced men of the Senate Com
mlttee are well aware Of this, it is not to
be expected that they will make the mistake OF
imposing duties which barely fall short OF their
object There has been a good deal OF ex-
perience within the last six years, moreover, TO
enlighten them. The actual importatons under
the tariffs OF 1890 and 1894 have shown with
considerable precision what measure OF defence
the American Industries need in each branch In
order TO develop rapidly. Experience has proved
that. in some important respects, the Mckinley
duties fell short. and were not high enough to
accomplish the desired object The duties Of the
tariff Of 1894, also. though distinctly intended TO
be effective for protection by those who demand
ed them In the Senate, have been found in some
cases lamentably deficient. An avalanche of i'm
ports In those particular classes has demon
strated that the duties entirely failed to secure