The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-10
WOULD HURT THE COUNTRY
Congressman TayIer's Position on
Tariff Discussion.

Washington, June 1O.-The industrial
commission at its session Saturday con-
sidered the tariff question with incl
dental reference to trusts, the witnesses
being Congressman Robert w Tayler
of Ohio and George Gunton, president
of the New York Institute of Social
Economics. Mr.. Tayler took the posi-
ton that any discussion in congress of
the tariff at this time would have dam
aging effect upon the country. He said
the Dingley law was 4he most equitable
tariff law the United States had ever
had. He took decided position against
trusts and said that they are not fos-
tered by the protective tariff Mr.. Tay-
Ter also said that he believed in the
principle of reciprocity, but that he did
not indoFse any of the recently negOu-
ated reciprocity treaties
Mr.. Gunton devoted himself especially
to replying to an argument recently
made before the commission by Edward
Atkinson for freer trade.
DR.. Gunton said. that the freedom con-
tended for by opponents OF the tariff is
analogous to the freedom of the savage,
a freedom which, if INDUCED in too free
~, not only brings injury to others, but
ruin to himself
Mr.. Tayler announced the general
principle that the history of the coun-
try for the past few years and the con-
ditions demand that there should not
be the slightest relaxing Of the tariff
principle as now embodied in the Ding
ley law The relation of the tariff to
trusts, he said, is only Incidental The
Dingley law, embodiess he said. the idea
that the American civilization is on
higher plane than any other and requires
a higher reward for its labor to maintain
that excellence. Whenever the labor
cost Is greater than elsewhere, il is nee
essary that there should be an equallz-
ing influence such as the Dingley law.
Primarily, therefore the protective tariff
law was in the interest of labor. Even
the farmer, he said, gets reciprocal
benefit.
How is the farmer benefited by the
tariff on steeI?' asked Colonel Living
Ston.
In the first place." replied the wit
ness. there is not much tariff on steel
or iron, except possibly on tin plate We
pay out in wages not less than 500, Co.,
600. That means that the consuming
power of the American people at home
is increased to that extent, and I think
that the effect of that increased con-
sumption is sufficient to recoup the far
mer for any supposed increase of the
cost to him Of iron and steel articles
which he may purchase"
Mr. Tayler announced himself as op-
posed to the principle involved in trusts
because, he said, he considers human
nature too weak to entruSt in a few peO-
pie such a 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 trusts
DO you know of any combine that
actually controls any Industry" Mr..
Clarke asked.
Mr.. TayIer said that he did not.
rs not the United States steel cor
poration on the border Of attaining alb
solute control?" asked Colonel Living
ston.
II can not answer that question either
yes or no." replied the Witness but
there are many large iron and steel con-
Germs not in the combine. Iron ores
lieve that anyone will ever get absolute
control of the supply"