La Junta tribune., 1898-01-29

The enemies OF protection are not Of
one accord In their plan OF campaign
against that popular American policy.
They night along different lines. Most
OF them rely upon the simple assertion
that there Is no truth In the claim that
the present revival OF business and
Industrial activity Is In any way the
result of protection; others deny that
there has been any return Of prosperi-
'y thus far. and insist that business
conditions have not improved. while
still others. realizing the folly OF both
OF the preceding contentious In the
face OF facts which contradict them.
admit the prosperity. and do not siren
aously gainsay that protection has had
somewhat to do with producing this
result. but take refuge behind the plea
that II protection has made times bet
Ter It has also made prices higher and
greatly increased the cost Of living.
The Boston Herald is among the
free trade newspapers which struggle
ha.d to find dark side to the prosper
iiy picture. The Herald has been at
great pains to show that under protec-
tton the cost of living has been largely
increased. and that the principal sta-
pies and necessaries are vary much
higher than they were yea ago. AS
mske out a case, facts or no facts. a
vast amount Of exaggeration and mis-
statement are resorted to.
For example the Herali asserts
that flour Is fully IS per cent higher
than at the lowest point year ago"
Inquiry shows that on the date on
wdich this assertion was made patent
-four was quots.: at $3.50 per barrel OF
1856 pounds, against $4.75 year ago.
an advance of less than per cent. and
not "55 per cent higher"
The Herald states that corr is 9
to 10 per cent higher. granula I'd su-
Ear over II per cent higher
On the day when these false figures
were given to the world corn closed at
S2.37 cents. against 30.S7 cents year
before; less than and not 40 pc. cent
higher" and the advance on sugars.
caused by tariff of 3-10ths OF & cent
per pound, made necessary by tlls in
crease Of revenue called for in order
annual interest on bonds issued by the
free trade administration to pc vide
for deficits in the revenue. ts not '17
per cent" but is Ill per cent on tran
ulated, 81 on crushed and 106 per
cent ON raw sugar.
"Molasses" is to per cent higher.
says the Herald.
On that day Porto Rico molasses was
quoted at 2S cents, the same pric, as
year ago.
Pork is over 33M per cent hisher."
Mess pork was quoted at yS.25.
against $3.50 the previous year.
Mutton is over 25 per cent
higher.
Here is some truth. for the p,4.e of
mutton sheep has undergone a ihnrp
ad<arce since the adoption. of the :ariff
ON wool. and the sheep owners Is, the
United States are more than $103, ,000.-
00u richer In consequence.
Potatoes are more than 100 pc: cent
higher"
The average Of quotations III the
market was $1.85. against $1.06 /. year
ago. an advance of rs per cent ard not
more than 100 per cent" and til. fact
rs dishonesty suppressed that tie diff
ference is wholly due to the failure Of
the crop.
Apples are more than 100 per cent
higher"
Apples, in fact, average 81, against
$1.03 per barrel a year ago, which is
not "over 100 per cent" but again the
failure Of this crop is dishonesty sup
pressed.
"Butter is more than is per cent
higher"
Best state butter was quoted ut 20
cents, against 1s cents q year ago.
which il not more than "15 per cent
higher
Eggs are over 10 per cent higher"
The best state eggs were quoted at
- cents, against 26 cents year ago.
which Is lower. and not ''over 10 per
cent higher"
Wool Il from so per cent to 100 per
cent higher. and the trade in woolen
goods n struggling to get the prices Of
OF wooden cloths up to par with wool.
Who II to pay for this Increased COST
OF woolen cIoths?"
The average Of 100 quotations of do
mestic wool was 70.73 cents. against
l9.9z = year ago. which II 50 per cent
advance, and not from 80 to 100 per
cent higher" Also. the truth il dis
honestly suppressed that woolen cloths
were selling only 14.1 per cent higher
than . year ago. taking the average Of
many representative goods Of standard
trades, and that the cost Of made-up
,slothing had not yet advanced at all.
When the people do pay higher price
for clothing they will pay 1t for the
restoration Of work and prosperity to
more than . million people dependent
upon woolen mill operatives, Of whom
about . third were idle year ago.
''Hides are 40 per cent higher. and
boot and shoe makers are trying hard
to fet this increased cost out of boots
and shoes. II this OF supreme bene-