Evening star., 1901-06-06
TARIFF AND TRUSTS
Statements Made to the Industrial
Commission.
Mr.. TAYLER GIVES HIS VIEWS
Any Discussion of the Tariff
Would Be Disastrous.
TO QUESTIONS

Mr.. Robert w. Tayler Of Lisbon, Ohio.
talked about the relation of the tariff and
the trusts before the industrial commission
today. There were present Vice Chairman
Phillips Messrs. Clarke Harris Of Ohio,
Litchman. Kennedy. Farquhar, and Repre-
sentative Livingston. The examination was
generally conducted by Mr. Clarke
Mr. Tayler opened his remarks by declar-
ing that in view of the conditions that pre-
vail in this country any attempt to take of
the tariff on even trust-made goods would
be bad in its effect Mr.. Tayler referred to
the tariff principle that should not be
abandoned. and this brought out a question
from Representative Livingston of Georgia,
who is against the Dingley tariff, and be-
lieves in the southern democratic idea re-
garding tariff. Mr.. Livingston wanted to
know what the witness called the tariff
principle of this country, Mr. Tayler re-
plying that the idea under the Dingley
tariff being that in order to maintain the
standard of living of the working people a
tariff was necessary on goods imported.
Then you place your demand for tariff
now on the need OF the wcrkmen?' inquir-
ed Mr.. Livingston.
Chiefly" replied Mr.. Tayler. The wit
ness then spoke, in reply to a question in
regard to the tariff on steel. and said there
in the case Of the newer industries. One
Of the newer products was tin plate, and
he said under protection the price OF tin
plate has been reduced.
IF any attempt were made he declar-
ed. Ito secure price for tin plate that
was secured before the Mckinley tariff on
tin plate went into effect. 1t would be con-
sidered exorbitant."
The Matter of Trusts.
II am one Of those" he said. who has
Il
with the idea that the trusts are good
things"
The trusts. he said put too much power
in the hands Of a few men. He did not
doubt that the trusts lead TO socialism and
will reach governmental socialism. First,
because OF the sentiment in the public mind
growing out OF it, and second, when ele-
ments Of production and distribution are
combined in the hands OF a few the ten
dency is toward socialism. When the peo-
pie see these great combines used for the
benefit of a few they will begin to ask
why they should not be operated by the
government for the benefit of the many.
Mr.. Clarke asked whether the witness
knew of any concern that has control OF
the production and distribution of any ar
tfcle. Mr. Tayler replied that he did not,
and said he was not at all Inclined +ethfnK
that any concernWetfd ever control the
steel eHtp71r. because iron and coal are so
widely distributed that they could not be
monopoiized. In his own state and district
an Independent tin plate plant is being
erected at the present time, and he was
sure that II the tariff were toKen OF tin
plate now It would bring that enterprise TO
q close, and II II should be done in the
future 1t would be disastrous to such an
Independent concern He could imagine
that such large concern as the United
States Steel Company, which has absorbed
the American Tin Plate Company, might
continue to produce tin plate. II there was
only the trust to consider the taking OF
81 xor~ Off, ol xr,,c 40 dc oh
solve that question. but there were other
interests to consider. The first result from
the taking of Of the tariff would be to re.
duce the rates Of wages.
Combination Among Workmen.
Representative Livingston asked whether
there is not a combination among work.
men that will allow them to take care
of themselves in such case. The witness
replied that there was undoubtedly a COM
bination among workmen, but they could
not secure good wages unless manufactur-
ers are prosperous. Labor organizations,
he said. have the power to stop the wheels
Of industry Just as the capitalist has. but
when they are stopped then labor could
not maintain itself for any length OF time
capital could.
Speaking of dealing with trusts he said
he knew OF no remedy for that evil IL IT
is an evil. Publicity might be a good
thing but II would be a mere scratch on
the surface. He knew that trust has
power to reduce the price Of an article,
but he did not think the public would get
much benefit from that In order to pay
dividends on securities of the United States
Steel Company that company would have
to extract a great deal from the public
The witness said that apart from any
other question he thought that 1t would
be exceedingly unfortunate to introduce
any elements Of unrest In the country by
discussing the tariff in Congress or open.
ing up the tariff for any revision
Mr. Clarke brought out the fact that In
free trade England there are trusts ana
the witness said trusts do not depend upon
the tariff nor are they the outgrowth Of it.
Prof. GuntOn's Views.
Prof. George Gunton Of New York also
testified in regard to the relation Of the
tariff and the trusts. The witness dwelt az
some length upon the differences In the
freedom of the savage and the freedom OF
civilization. Every man doing just as he
pleases leads logically to anarchy. Refer.
ring to Mr.. Edward Atkinson Of Boston.
who was lately a witness before the come
mission, he said:
THE logic OF Mr.. Atkinson's thinking. u
he had the courage TO carry 1t out. as he
sometimes does, IL anarchy.
The tariff, he said Is not paternal. be-
cause the tariff merely protects the oppors
tunity Of the people to do for themselves
and does not do something for them. ~
does paternalism. Prof Gunton proceeded
to present an argument for the justification
of a protective tariff.
Prof Gunton spoke for half an hour. aftsv
2 o'clock. when he resumed his argument