The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-07
eAscock's TARIFF PLANS.

:. BA6Cock's TARIFF PLANS.
In the abstract the proposition O
Representative Babcock to revise tn,
tariff so as to take Off the protection
feature of the duties imposed upo1
articles turned out by the steel trus'
seems commendable and at first glance
will favorably impress all who think
that something should be done tc
overcome the power of the huge com
bines of various sorts which are form
ing all over the country. Further
thought and a little study, however
will show that instead OF being a ben.
eft to the country, his proposed leg.
islation will really prove an injury
BY reducing the tariff along the lines
which he contemplates it will have
the effect Of placing the smaller, indie
pendent concerns at the mercy of the
gigantic trusts Of England ant. France,
who will take advantage of the alb
sence OF a tariff to ship all their sur
plus stock to this country and sell it
at prices which the small concerns
are utterly unable to meet. Conse-
quentiy they will be forced to go out
OF business. The large combine at
the head OF which is j.. Pierpont Nor
gan, will probably be able to meet
this foreign competition and continue
in business, but the home competition
which it has now to meet will be gone
and in the end the removal of the
tariff would play into the hands of the
big combine. Many of the small con
Germs have their specialties in manu-
featuring. Some will probably sell
their output to the concerns that have
been a~malgamated in the steel trust,
while others may be relied upon to
retain their customers and also to
sell abroad. Thus, while the combine
is powerful, it is not powerful enough
to completely wipe out all competi-
ton n some check will always be
Kept upon it. Furthermore, there is
the possibility and even the probabili-
ty that other men, tempted by the
large profits made by the trust, may
venture into the steel business and
with capital sufficient to make them
formidable competitors of the Morgans
and other trust kings.
Then again, it is not good for the
commerce and trade of the country
to constantly indulge IN tariff discus
slon and agitation, for it invariably
dlsturbs the trade of the country and
causes hating and uncertainty and
materially interferes with the institu-
ton OF new enterprises. While it can
not be denied that there are some
features of the present tariff which
might be revised with benefit to the
producer and the consumer, for no tar
lit was ever devised but what at some
time could bear amenament, the pres
ent is not an opportune time to under
take tinkering with the one now in
force. Even some of those who be-
lieve that they would be benefited by
certain changes in the schedules are
opposed to any effort having in view
a reopening of the tarill agitation
because OF the depressing effect it
would have or the entire business of
the nation. Even it's enemies must
admit that under the present tariff our
foreign business has grown beyond all
anticipation and hope of the ones who
are responsible for it's existence as
of the laws of the country and that
our export trade is constantly grow
ing. From fourth place as an export
ing nation we have advanced to first
and any tariff that will accomplish
this in SO short a time as it took for
the nation to attain that place must
be admitted to be- fairly well adapted
the needs and wants of the coun-
try and there should be much and
serious hesitation before any earnest
or systematic effort is made at re.
vision. The workingmen, the ones
mostly affected by a radical change
n the existing tariff, are not clamor-
ing for any change or alteration and
nay be relied upon to enter a hearty
should IN attempt be made to |
BRING about what the opposition is {
to term fair" trade. !,