The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-03-24
VIM THROrTLE TRADE GROUTH
Author Of the Present 1aTin Law Va
How the Dingley Eli VIII Worn.

Author of the Present Tarin Law Sal
How the DingIey Eli VIII WORK.
Hon. W. L. Wilson writes to the New
York Herald as follows;
To the Editor Of the Herald.
While il is impossible to make a sat
isfact,ry study of the several schedules
Of the Dlngley bill until the Official com
parisOn OF rates with those or existing
law has been compiled. with a translation
OF spscinc duties into their ad vaiorem
equivalents, the general theory OF the biil
appears clearly enough from the reading
of any random PAGE.
That theory, If, indeed. II be theory
AT all. is the imposition OF high rates sure
10 become i'm many cases prOhipltory' not
only on what are known as hnished
products. but Oh the materials OF industry
beginning with raw materials and follow
ing with increasing outics every process
Of manufacture.
This is not only a. variance with all
ideas Of a revenue tariff but with those
OF the intelligent protective systems or
the great manufacturing nations OF the
world 1t is generally recognized ia their
restrictive systems that taxes on ia"
materials not only gather cumulative
weight as they fan upon the nome con-
suiner but cffectuaiy handicap a nation
IN its efforts TO sell .n foreign markets.
Iron ana steel are said 10 be the OASIS
OF modern industry. Wool hemp ana
other nbrcs are the special basis OF the
textile industries; sulphuric acid Of many
chemical industries, and SO on Inc hd-
ton that gives these materials untaXed TO
its manufacturers and worhnsmen IN
surcs for their products not only larger
home consumption. but great advantage
i'm the competition for outside markets.
The nation that taxes these materials OF
industry logislates in the interest OF Tor
cign manufacturers and Tor the pro'oc-
ton Of foreign laborors against its own.
FREE RAW MATERIAL BENEFITS
ALL.
IL is a very erroneous and self claim
that the removal or reduction OF duties
On iron ore. coal and wool and other IKE
articles is chiefly for the benefit or those
who manufacture our iron. steel, woonen
and other fabrics. Every enhancement
Of his sources Of supply OF raw
materials. every impeachment OF
taxation or otherwise removed be-
tween him and that supply does
passes quickly and inevitably, under fair
competition. 10 the consumer. who very
soon gets more benefit than ~ first an
pears. because with the rapid widening
Of his markets tho producer is able 10
sell at closer profit while all the time
finding employment for more labor.
II is not less erroneous and lnsn
claim that q removal Of duties On SUCH
t.sffH On
run innict any real loss on those who
produce them in our own country Inc
increase in the number or home con UNI
ors. the enlargement ~ foreign markets,
the accompanying growth IN the internal
commerce and in the carrying trade OF
our country. guarantee q market lo' All
of those things that viii quickly outsrir
ANYTHING they could have under the pro-
tcctive system.
rbat an this IS not mere theory IS
clearly proven by the experience or every
country that has prontabiy shared in the
commerce OF the world. or successfully
4splrcd TO any share I'm its manufacturing
-unrcmacy. Nations to-day hold the lead
fn tho production Of articles whose basic
materials they gather from distant lands.
Rut our own country and our own cxpe-
rlcnce under the present tariff law amply
confirm the sOundness OF these economic
truths.
OBJECT or THE PRESENT LAW.
Next to tightening the burdens imposed
by the Mckinley bill on the American
people. especially burdens on the reces-
saries OF life and the necessaries II Ia
bor-and 10 that extent lessening the en-
forced tribute which the masses OF the
people were paying to privileged Indus
tries-tho chief object OF the bill was
10 secure larger markets for our manu-
facturers, and larger consequent employ
ment 10 our labOrers. For thirty and
more years the vast majority OF our people
engaged in farming and I'm the nOn-pro-
tected Industries had been taxed TO build
up protected manufactures.
The farmer, especially, was deuded by
the cry OF a home market" and Of the
benefit in store for him from bringing
the factory to the farm Factories were
built up. but he saw them filled not with
living consumers OF his products. but
chiefly with machinery OF iron and steel.
For his staple export crops he found him.
self still dependent on foreign purchasers
for a larger quantity absolutely and a
larger share relatively 10 his entire pro-
duct
Moreover. our factories had FAR out
grown the demands Of the home market.
Eufuened WIN taxes on shelF saw maze
rails and on every stage OF production,
they could not compete for foreign mar
kets against those who We're not thus
burdened. Not one OF our leading manu-
facturers could enjoy free play or con-
slant activity in the home market. AS
a consequence gigantic combinations were
formed among them 10 keep down pro-
duction 10 the demands of that market,
and TO keep up such prices by the aid
OF the tariff. Such combinations became
not only a menace 10 the States. but cor
rupters OF Federal elections and Of Fed
eral legislation. They were made at the
expense Of the home consumer and TO the
hurt Of the home laborer.
TRUSTS OR MARKETS.
II had become a question OF more trusts