The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-04-21
An Oppressive Tariff Item.


From Philadelphia Ledger. Republican.
The manufacturers of low grade carpets
ingrains under the shield of The heavy duties
imposed upon the importation of such fabrics,
have already advanced the price of the pro-
duct. and it is announced that another raise in
its manufacturing price is about to be made.
This increase in cost of fabrics in extensive
use and necessary to comfortable living is one
of the many ways by which the present pro-
hibiiive customs duties affect the standard of
American life and diminish the ability of the
people to provide themselves with the reason
| able conveniences and comforts and to save
something for the proverbial rainy day. Free
/ competition is the great economic balance
wheel and regulator of the price OF labor, the
only commodity which the vast majority of
the people have to sell; but the present Tar f
/ law was ingenIousy contrived to permit and
encourage combinations to deprive the public
| of the advantages of wholesome competition
as to every commodity in common use. In
the ease-of carpets the enactment has proved
to be peculiarly oppressive, for the reason
that under il, for the first time in our tariff
| legislation, Chinese, japanese and India straw
mattings are dutiable, in order to force the
American public to forego mattings and to
purchase low grade carpets. and upon these
latter the duties were greatly increased. The
device is a tribute TO the skill of the tariff
Dut pEODdDil uO Otucf item
of the customs schedule have the interests of
such a large proportion of the American pub
lie been more ruthlessly sacrificed under the
guise of fostering American industry.
Mating ofthis character was not manufactured
here. The primary object in imposing duty
upon it was not, in fact, to assist an infant and
struggling industry suffering from the compe-
tition of the Orient, but to assist another in
dustry, which is additionally protected in the
Tariff act by duty sufficient TO exclude for
eign competition.
curtailed the demand for cheap, clean and
sanitary floor covering which was fast coming
into general use throughout the country. 1t
was much sought for by persons of moderate
means, is peculiarly adapted for summer use,
and is much superior to many of the low grade
carpets sold at higher price. For these rea-
sons strong opposition was made to the i'm.
position Of duty on product SO well adapted
to American needs, the use of which materi-
ally reduced the cost of house furnishing.
1t does not appear that any but the manu-
facturers have received any benefit from the
duty on ingram carpets and mating. Their
working men have to pay largely enhanced
price for their carpets without receiving an
increase of wages. A manufacturer stated on
Monday to a reporter of the Ledger" that
the manufacturers promised their employees an
advance on the wages they were then getting
under the Wilson tariff as soon as practicable.
1t appears that, although the Dingley tariff,
with its excessive duties on ingram carpets
and mating, has been in operation for good
part of that time, the wages of the working
people have not been increased, and, growing
tired of the manufacturers taking all the ad
vantages of the tariff, they have made a de-
mand for the comparatively insignificant ad
vance in their wages equal to per cent. only.
This increase the working people say must be
granted by June l; but as the employers are
pretty compactly organized the result is doubt
ful. they evidently being of the opinion that
the high carpet and mating duties were i'm
posed not for the benefit of labor, but of cap
ital.
Conventional declarations against trusts and
oppressive combinations of capital are as dust
in the balance when compared with legislation
which would lessen the possibility of inordi-
nately high prices as the result OF the abuse of
the protective principle in tariff enactments.
discriminating modification and relaxation
of the existing Tariff law and of the internal
revenue schedule would be worth much TO the
party in power in the struggle for the success
sion.