The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-30

In answer to a question, Mr.. Theodore
c. Search, the president of the National
Association of Manufacturers, which met
in New York last week. said that the key
note of the convention was the extension
of foreign trade. The manufacturers of
nearly all classes of manufactured pro-
ducts admit that in order 10 be prosper
Gus they must have a share of the for
elsn markets. The home market is not
large enough to consume their output AS
soon as the home market is supplied ruin
Gus competition begins unless trusts are
formed to limit the output, and in that
way keep up prices.
But how is foreign market TO be OBJ
tanned? There is only one way, and that
is to offer at lower prices the grade of
goods which are offered by the manufac-
turers OF other countries or better goods
at practically the same prices demanded
by the manufacturers of foreign countries
for inferior goods. How, 1t may be asked
is this to be done? 1t certainly cannot
be done by means of high protective
tariff. If raw materials are heavily tax
ed-raw materials which are imported
and which are absolutely necessary in
many kinds of manufacturing'-our manu-
facturers cannot compete in foreign mar
kets with manufacturers of other coun-
tries who get their raw materials free
from such taxation. 1t is difficult TO I'M
derstand, therefore, why our manufacture
ers are such firm supporters of a high
protective tariff.
Under the Wilson tariff we had an ex-
cellent illustration of the benefits of
low tariff. Under that tariff our exports
of manufactured products increased Won
derfully. They increased much more rap
idly than under any preceding tariff. And
if 1t had not been for the financial depres-
sion which existed while that tariff was
in force-a depression which was not in
any respect due to that tarlff-our manu-
featuring industries would have been
more prosperous than ever before.
Having seen the benefits of low tariff
why is it that cur manufacturers insist
upon high tariff? Is it because they are
afraid of losing control of the home mar
ket. or is it because they propose to make
such large profits in the home market
that they can afford to sell their surplus
products in foreign markets at cost prices
or even less thus getting rid of their
surplus stocks and avoiding ruinous com
petition among themselves?
1t looks as if this latter policy were the.
one they have adopted-a policy which
burdens the people of this country heavily
and which does not there is reason to
believe, contribute as much to the pros
perity of our manufacturing industries as
the low tariff policy would.
The manufacturers have been accus-
toned so long TO big profits in the home
market that they hesitate to give them
up. They are striving to hold on to the
big home profits and, at the same time. to
get share of the foreign markets The
time is close at hand, however, when they
will have TO be satisfied with smaller
profits in the home market and will have
to look to the foreign markets for a part
of their profits. The people Will not con-
sent much longer to pay more for man
ufactured products than those products
command i'm foreign markets.
There is no doubt that owing to cheaper
food products, better machinery and SUI
perior workmen most manufactured goods
can be produced more cheaply in this
country than in any other. Having those
advantages, our manufacturers under a
low tariff would make rapid Roadway in
capturing foreign markets