The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-03-12
a STRIKING PROTEST.
An Effective objection 10 the McKin-
ley Inv.

ICY Inv.
Cne Of Tho most effective protests
ever made against the high tariff sys-
TEN is Incorporated In "A paper fled
with the ways and means committee
by j. c. llarrah. presidents OF the Mid
vale Steel company, OF Philadelphia.
Ts.is company presented 10 the com
mittee a request that no change be
made in the present schedules OF the
tariff relating TO metals, or the materi-
els. either raw or in partly made
state. that are used in the manufac-
ture of metals. The request was sus-
tanned by some very cogent arguments.
Mr.. Harrah began by promising that
the committee had two objects in view;
first, to obtain sufficient revenue for
the requirements of the government
wisely and economically administered;
and, second. TO alleviate the burden
OF the cost OF living 10 those who are
least able 10 bear the load. because of
insufficient means of subsistence. The
president of the Midvale company
then pointed out that any increase in
the rate of duty on articles imported
into this country would necessarily d.
minish the market for such articles and
at the same time increase the cost OF
living. An increase of tariff rates
would therefore defeat the very OBJ
iects which the committee were pro-
Tossing to seek. while those objects
would be promptly and elicaciously
realized by the diminution Of exist
ing duties In respect TO protection to
the laborer by higher tariff rates, Mr..
IIarrah said:
'Whne this additional tax might 70
IA small extent increase the business OF
the manufacturer. any profit coming
20 him IN this indirect manner must
necessarily insure TO his sole benefit.
because the question OF wages Is one OF
supply and demand. and cannot In any
way be affected 10y tariff legislation
md no manufacturer would permit any
false sentiment TO influence him TO pay
the laborer one dollar more for wares
than the market supply OF labor would
warrant"
The Nidvale company is engaged in
the manufacture Of steel only, and il
does not desire any higher duties or
articles competing with its product:
than now exist. Mr.. lIarrah gave con
elusive reasons for this attitude of hi
company. The Wilson law reduced tn,
tariff on tires one-half. and yet the bas'
price of tires to-day is four cents PEI
pound, as it was under the McKinle,
law. Nor has the Wilson law affected
the number of tires manufactured il
this country.to any appreciable extent
as is shown by the facts that the Mid
vale company is the largest maker O
this product in the United States. ant
that its business has steadily in
creased from year to year.
Moreover. tariff rates are already 50
high that domestic manufacturers ar
exporting their products TO foreign
countries and selling them at highc
prices there than here. The Midval
company makes steel castings an
sells them abroad. receiving from 3
to 80 per cent. more in England thai
1t can get in this country. This com
pany is now earnestly engaged in in
creasing its trade abroad. ard its pres
dent greatly fears that any increas
Of duty in the metal schedules by eS
citing retaliatory measures on the par
Of foreign nations might have disa'
trous effect upon this new trade.
No better tariff reform documen
than this letter has appeared. 1t shoul'
receive wide circulation. Ill;noi
/ State Register