New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-28
PRACTICAL RESULTS-A CONTRAST.

Every sensible man. whether protectionst or
free trader will agree that tariff duties ought
not 70 be excessive. Beyond the point of SO NJ
ing control of the home market to domestic pro-
ducers, on the condition thai they keep pace far-
ly with the progress of industries in Othef Coun-
tries there is nothing 10 be gained. but often
much TO be lost. Differing from Senator Al
drich. however. there are many Republlcans
who do rot think that the industries of this
country have so nearly approached the state OF
indcrcndence as mis- expression of opinion re-
car0ing his Senate bill would indicate. That
measure is 10 be highly commended for some
changes from ad vaorem to specific duties,
which are designed TO promote home production
of earhenware linen goods and some other
products of Importance. But this same wise
principle is discarded in dealing with other
industries especially in the sugar and the
woollcns schedules Wherever fraudulent I'M
LIBERALIZATION is invited by al valorcm duties the
practical effect Of the protection supposed TO be
given is thereby reduced in many cases one
half.
Perhaps II contrast between two important In
dustries may be instructive mere. The woollen
and the iron industries have similar natural adj
vantases in this country Far back in Colonial
ish legislation for the express purpose Of extin-
gushing them. In the modern era OF factory
production the two were gaining about equally
upon their chief competitor. Great Britain, nnti'
the mistaken tariff of 1889. BY that tariff.
largely shaped by two men. these Industries
were very differently treated. The iron and
steel industry received full and sutfcien, protcc-
ton by specific duties in every branch except
ntl.n mn
fac,ure partly through the influence of the car
ret interest. but more because the men who
represented it in Congress hcsiIatod to insist
upon what they knew was needed, was left
much exposed to foreign competition BY 1890
the iron industry had become strong enough TO
welcome some reduction of duties while the
woolen manufacture was the sick man TO be
cured.
The Mckinley tariff sought to strengthen
poims where further defence was needed. and
SO gave to the iron industry the one thing it
lacked. control Of the home markc. for Tin
plates The result is thai this industry il now
able 10 invade British markets The same tariff
gave 10 the wOollen manufacture such protec-
ton that lis growth. in spite of apprehension
that duties would be speedily reduced. was high
" encouraging. Then came the Democratic re-
! HCllOD. III lTOI HuNSlI! usiu ~ nEHiIu- i'Dl'-
sentative in Congress who prevented disastrous
reduction. The wOOilcn industry was moi so
defended and became the chief victim Of Demo
cratic reform" In consequence. there in no
ether great manufacturing industry in this coul-
Try which Is as independent to-day as the manu-
! facure OF iron aud steel. and there Is no other
which stands in as much need of courageous and
unfnchDg protection the manufacture Of
| wool
| The Senate Committee is able to reduce duties
Oh iron and steel products. in some cases below
I those OF the present Democratic tariff, and yet
10 declare that in no instance have rates been
reduced below the point OF projection. But il
/ has cut down the duties proposed by the House
on wOOllcn products. and has made them in
character more largely nd valorem. apparently
| Ia the belief that this industry also can confront
! foreign competition much more successfully
/ than II could in 1890. Ii is 10 be doubted. The
! manufacture had but little time for improve
ment between October. 1890. and May. 1893
| when the Democratic prosiration began. and ii
/ has been more sorely depressed and disorgan-
! ICED than any other Grant tina, 'lc House du-
ties are too complicated what hindercd trans
| ating them into specific dulles OF many
cents for each narrow change In cost or weight ?
! II Is question which ought to be seriously con.
| sidered. whether closer approximation to the