The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1901-12-06

| once In the past has shown that sweepinf
| revislons OF the tariff are apt to produs
conditions closely approaching panic in ths
business world Yet II Is not only possible
but eminently desirable to combine with the
| stability OF our economic system supple
mentary system Of reciprocal benefit and obi
| CATION with other nations. Such reciprocity
Is an incident aud result OF the firm estab-
lishment and preservation OF our preseu!
economic policy. II was specially provided
for in the present tariff law,
Our first duty is to see that the protection
granted by the tarn in every case where IL
Is needed is maintained, and that reciprocity
be sought for so far as II can safely be done
without injury to our homo industries. Just
how far this is must be determined accord
ing to the individual case, remembering al
ways that every application of our tariff pol
icy to meet our shifting national needs must
be conditioned upon the cardinal fact that the
duties must never be reduced below the point
that will cover the difference between the
labor cost here and abroad The well being
of the waSe-worker is a prime consideration
of our entire policy of economic legislation
Subject to this proviso Of the proper pro-
lection necessary to our Industrial well-heng
at home, the principle OF reciprocity must
command our hearty support. The pheno-
menal growth of our export trade emphasizes
the urgency of the need for wider markets
and for liberal policy in dealing with for
egn nations. Whatever 10 merely petty and
veXatious In the way of trade restrictions
should be avoided. The customers TO whom
we dispose of our surplus products In the
long run, directly or indirectly, purchase
those surplus products by giving us some
thing in return. Their ability to purchase
our products should as far as possible he
secured by so arranging our tariff as to en-
able us TO take from them those products
which we can use without harm to our own
industries and labor. or the use OF which VIII
be of marked benefit to us.
I'VE have now reached the point in the
development of our interests where we are
not only able to supply our own markets
but to produce a constantly growing surplus
which find arlSptS abroad To
secure these markets we can utilize existing
duties in any case where they are no longer
needed for the purpose Of protection. or in amy
case where the article is not produced nero
and the duty Is no longer necessary for
revenue. as giving us something to offer in
exchange for what we ask. The cordial re-
lations with other nations which are so de-
sirable will naturally be promoted by the
course thus required by our own interests.
The natural line of development for
policy of reciprocity will be in connection
with those of our productions which no long
err require all of the support once needed
to establish them upon sound basis and
with those others where either because OF
natural or of economic causes we are beyond
the reach of successful competition.
II ask the attention of the Senate to the
treaties laid before it by my pre-
1ecessor.
Our Merchant Marine. |
THE condition of the American merchant
marine is such as to call for immediate |
rredtable to us as Nation that our mer- |
chant marine should be utterly insignificant |
IN comparison to that OF other nations which |
we overtop in other forms of business.
American shipping is under certain great
disadvantages when put in competition with
he shipping of foreign countries. Many of
he fast foreign steamships. at speed Of
ourteen knots or above are subsidized; and
I'll ships. sailing vessels and steamers
like, cargo carriers of slow speed and mail
arrlers of high speed, have to meet the
act that the original cost of building Ameri-
an ships is greater than is the case abroad:
hat the wages paid American officers and
eamen are very much higher than those paid
he officers and seamen of foreign competing
ountrics: and that the standard of living
n our ships is far superior to the standard of
wing on the ships Of our commercial rivals.
Our government should take such action
s will remedy these inequalities The Amer
Fan merchant marine should be restored to
he ocean.
THE Act of March n. 1900, intended un
quivocally to establish gold as the standard
honey and to maintain at parity Herewith
II forms of money medium in with us,
as been shown to be timely and judicious
he price of our government bonds in the
orld's market. when compared with the
rice of similar obligations issued by other
auons, is fattering tribute to our public
redit. This condition it is eminently desir-
bic to maintain.
I'm many respects the National Banking
aw furnishes sufficient liberty for the proper
yercse OF the banking function but there
SENS to be need of better safeguards against
lie deranging influence of commercial crises
nd financial panics. Moreover, the currency
the country should be made responsive
the demands of our domestic trade and
)mmerce.
Reduction of Revenues
"The collections from duties on imports and
thermal taxes continue to exceed the ordi-
airy expenditures. The utmost care should
3 taken not to reduce the revenues so that
Ire will be any possibility of a deficit; but,
tier providing against any such contingency,
eans should be adopted which will bring the
,VenueS more nearly within the limit OF our |
ctual needs.
Il call special attention to the need of strict
,onomy in expenditures The fact that our
ational needs forbid us to be niggardly in
whatever is actually necessary to
ir well being, should make us doubly care
Il to husband our national resources. as
,ch of us husbands his private resources. by
,rupulous avoidance OF anything like waste
IL or reckless expenditure
Regulation of Railroads.
In 1887 measure was enacted for the reg
ation of interstate railways. commonly
nown as the Interstate Commerce Act. The
,rdinal provisions of that act were that
.ilway rates should be just and reasonable
nd that all shippers. localities. and commo-
ties should be accorded equal treatment. A
1mmission was created and endowed with
hat were supposed to be the necessary pow
IS to execute the provisions OF this act.
arlence has shown the wisdom of its pur-
Dses, but has also shown, possibly that some
its requirements are wrong, certainly that
lie means devised for the enforcement OF its
rovisions are defective.
THE act should be amended The railway
a public servant. Its rates should be just
and open to all shippers alike. The gov
-nment should see to ii tina. within its jurs-
lotion this is so and should provide a speedy
expensive, and effective remedy to that end
{ the same time it must not be forgotten that
lr railways are the arteries through which
le commercial lfeblood of this nation flows
othing could be more foolish than the en-
rtment of legislation which would unneces-
lrily interfere with the development and
peratlon of these commercial agencies. The
inject is one of great Importance and calls
,r the earnest attention OF the Congress.
The message points out the value of the
merican forests and the necessity for their
and urges the construction and
maintenance of reservoirs and irrigating
ystems for the reclamation of the arid lands
the West. OF the water rights it says:
"In the arid states the only right to water
hich should be recognized Is that OF use. In
'rigaton this right should attach to the
md reclaimed and be inseparabe therefrom.
ranting perpetual water rights to others
IAN users without compensation to the
ublic, is open to all the objections which
pply to giving away perpetual franchises TO
ne public utilities of cities A few of the
Western states have already recognized this
ne doctrine of perpetual state ownership Of
'ater.
Development of Hawaii.
"Our aim should be not simply to reclaim
he largest area of land and provide homes