New-York tribune., 1901-06-07
THE TARIFF AND TRUSTS
CONGRESSMAN TAYLER PRAISES THE
DINGLEY LAM AND DIR GUNToN RE.
PLIES TO EDWARD ATKINSON

WASHINGTON June 6-The Industrial Commission
NJ session to-day considered the tariff question
with incidental reference to trusts the u,,t,erso
being Congressman Robert W. Tayler of Ohio aud
Or George Gunton. president of the Nev-yorx
Institute Of Social Economics. Mr. Tayler took
the position that any discussion of the tariff in
Congress at this time would have a DANA rinr ef
feet on the country He said the Dinglev law was
the most equitable tariff law the United States had
ever had. He took decided position against
trusts. and said that they fostered by the
protective tariff. He believei I'm the principle Of
reciprocity. but did not ndorse any Of the re-
Gently negotiated reciprocity treaties
Mr.. Tayler announced the general principle that
the history OF the country for the last few years
and the present conditions demand that there
should he the slightest relaxation Of the tar,
principle embodied in the Dingley law The rela
ton of the tariff to trusts he said is only inci
dental The Dingley law embodied the idea that
American civilization is a higher plane than
any other, and required a higher reward for its
labor to maintain that excellence Whenever the
labor cost is greater than elsewhere il is neces-
sary mat there should be equalzlng influence
such as the Dingley law. Primarily therefore the
protective tariff law was in the interest of labor
Even the farmer. he said, a reciprocal benefit
How is the farmer benefited by the tariff on
steel?' asked Colonel Livingston.
In the first place." replied the witness there
is not uch tarh on iron and steel except possibly
on Tin plate. We pay wages not less than
SoeOen That means that the consuming power
OF the American people at home is increased to
that extent and think that the effect OF that
increased consumption Is sufficient TO recoup the
farmer for any supposed increase of the cost to
him OF iron and steel articles which he may pur-
chase"
Mr. Tayler announced himself as opposed TO the
principle Of trusts. because he considered human
nature too weak to intrust to few people such
power as is involved in trusts. He thought abuses
were certain and that the result would be what he
called governmental socialism or governmental
ownership OF the articles controlled by the
DO you know of any combine that actually con-
trolls any Industry" Mr.. Clarke asked.
Mr.. Tayler said he did not.
rs not the United States Steel Corporation on
the border Of attaining absolute control?" asked
Colonel Livingston
cannot answer that question either yes no."
replied the witness. but there many large iron
and steel concerns not in the combination. Iron
lieye that any one will absolute control Of
Mr. Tayler said that distrustful as he was Of
Tnf o 6rusts s ne had no remedy TO suggest He did
ts ne deended upon to reduce the cost Of commOd
tion he said that its securities amounted TO 81 500
0o099. while the cost had been one-third that
those securities would demand returns on them
He said he would oppose the Babcock bin placing
would he TO destroy independent effort while 1t
them the only effect would be TO reduce labor On
general PRINCIPLES. he thought discussion of the
srable. He did not consider trusts the outgrowth
trusts must be benefited by protection Just as
the sun may weeds 10 grow
DR.. Gunton devoted himself especially to reply
ing 70 an argument recently made before the com
mission by Edward Atkinson for freer trade. DR..
GuntOn said that the freedom contended for by
opponents Of the tariff IS analogous the freedom
Of the savage-a freedom which. IL INDUCED in too
freely, not only brings injury others hut ruin
10 himself Speaking of the strike Of the
chinists, DR. C5unton said IL perfectly right as
he believed that labor was justified in organizing
against capital for the protection Of its interests.
He said. however. that the machinists were blame
worthy in that they had agreed 70 arbitrate, and
then had failed TO live up to their agreement. He
favored compulsory education and law limiting
the hours of labor Referring 10 Mr.. Atkinson.
DR. Gunton said that his views all born OF
theory. and when the opinion got abroad that
theories akin 10 Mr Atkinson's were about o he
enacted into law there came being general
bankruptcy.