The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-09-01
The Trusts and the Tariff.

From the Philadelphia Ledger. Republican.
While the political parties wgangie over the
question 10 whether anti-inpcrialiSm or sound
money is the paramount issue Of the campaign, the
monopolistic trusts continue their oppression of
the American consumer. There is scarcely com
modify which is essential 10 the health and COM
fort Of the community that is not the subject Of
monopoly absolutely 10 a large degree. Nearly
every trust is capitalized greatly in excess % the
value Of its plants, aud to pay dividends upon
watered stocks and TO compensate the former own
ers of mills that closed TO destroy competition
excessive prices are charged, while labor is held
down to a minimum of remuneration The msnip-
ulation that is pntcticed by those who control the
chief manufacturing industries Of the country is
evidenced in the condition Of the iron market
Eighteen months ago. without any justiiieaiiou
whatever. prices were raised ia many instances a.
high as 100 por cent With the reseiion prices have
fallen, although still higher than reasonable
level. and thousands Of working men have becn
deprived of employment
Although the tariff Mates are lsing maintained
with no real prospect Of abatement the trusts are
selling millions Of their products abroad 10 com
petition with foreigners. The EuroIeau gcts
American goods al a fair prioc but the domestic
consumer is unduiy taxed o. swell the profits Of
monopoly. The Republican platform Of Isa6 inter.
to foreign control and domestic monopoly The
party has made no effort whatever 90 curb thi,
monopoly, while Marx Hanna, The high priest
OF trade combinations declares fhat trusts heue
fcent. The platform Of 1890 makes iutinatiou
that domestic monopoly is antazonistie 60 the Re
publican principle Of protection. Ia place %
extalls protection. and in another condemns Iau-
n0poly but il keeps these declarations apart. PRIV
badly with view to avoid the otherwise obvious
criticism that the tariff should b. revised ia arier
to remove the prop from The eVactinns Of the apa.
cious trusts The con-umer is apparently helpless
The profession the Republican platform respect
ing monopoly j. iusineere
The gratifying increase ia oar exports oi manu-
factured articles is due not merely ta the needs %
foreigners, but 10 the ability of mills com.
pete with European manufacturers so their own
markets Under the circumstances. thc eHcet of
the Dingley Tariff schedules noI 20 protect tuicri
can labor. bur 10 enable American capital 60 de
mand an cxhorbitaut profit The theory 81 pratec-
ton. held steadily by the Whis party throughout
its career and 10y the Republican party until re-
Gently is thai a tariff should Ue bald upon imports
sufficient TO compensate thr American employer
for the higher wages he rays his wugkmcn- THIS
in theory aud in practice, IS now thrnWu to the
winds, 81 practical Andrew Carnegie
says that the iron industry oi lhe uuitri state,
needs no protection or least tut nominal ari
The lobbyists Of the trusts. however. are and fur
years bave been. able 60 induce Congress lo permit
the trusts and monopoilsis to write the tara
schedules themselves.