The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-12-05

| ence in the past has shown that sweenin,
revisions of the tariff are apt to produ.e
conditions closely approaching panic in the
business world, Yet 1t is not only possible.
but eminently desirable, to combine with the
stability of our economic system q supple.
mentary system of reciprocal beneft and obi
cation with other nations. Such reciprocity
is an incident and result of the firm estab-
lshment and preservation of our present
economic policy. 1t was specially provided
for in the present tariff law :
Our frst duty is to see that the protection
granted by the tariff in every case where Ii
is needed is maintained, and that reciprocity
be sought for SO far as 1t can safely be done
how far this is must bes determined accord
ing to the individual case. remembering all
ways that every application of our tariff pol
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 weli-being
OF the wage-worker is prime consderation
of our entire policy of economic legislation.
subject to this proyiso of the proper pro-
at home; the principle of reciprocity must
command our hearty support The pheno-
menal growth of our export trade emphasizes
and for liberal policy in dealing with for
eign nations. Whatever is merely petty and
veaato1s in the way of trade restrictions
w
we dispose of our surplus products in the
long run, directly or indirectly, purchase
nose surplus s., products by giving us
our products should as far as possible he
secured by SO arranging our tariff as to en-
a5e US to take from them those products
winch we can use without harm to our own
industries and labor, or the use of which Will
be of marked benefit to us.
we 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 constantly growing surplus
for which we must find markets abroad To
duties IN any case where they are no longer
needed for the purpose of protection or IN any
case Where the article is not produced here
revenue, as giving us something to offer in
exchange for what we ask The cordial re-
lations with other nations which are SO de-
slraole Will naturally be promoted by the
course thus required by our own interests
The natural line of development for
policy ,,3l,s OF reciprocity will be in connection
er require all of the support once needed
to establish them upon sound basis, and
with those others where either because Of
the reach of successful competition
Il ask the attention of the Senate to the
reciprocity treaties laid before it by my pre-
decessor.
Our Merchant Marine.
Tho condition of the American merchant
remedial action by the Congress. 1t is dis
cred!tabe to us as a Nation that our mer-
chant marine should be utterly Insignificant
We overtop in other forms of business
:, American shipping is under certain great
disadvantages when put in competition with
the fast foreign steamships, at a speed Of
fourteen knots or above. are subsidized; and
az our ships, sailing vessels and steamers
carriers of high speed, have to meet the
fact that the original cost of building Amerl-
can ships is greater than is the case abroad:
seamen are very much higher than those paid
the officers and seanlen OF foreign competing
countries; and that the standard of living
on our ships is far superior to the standard Of
living on the ships of our commercial rivals
Our government should take such acton
as Will remedy these inequalities. The Amer
the ocean.
The Act of March IA, 1900, intended I'M
equivocally to establish gold as the standard
money and to maintain at parity Herewith
all forms of money medium in use with us,
has been shown to be timely and judiclous.
Inc l.ae I price OF our government bonds in the
price of similar obligations issued by other
natons, is flattering tribute to our public
credit. This condition it is eminently desir-
able to maintain.
I'm many respects the National Banking
Law furnishes sufficient liberty for the proper
exercise OF the banking function but there
oSSluS " ue iCSu VI DelLeT safeguards against
the deranging influence of commercial crises
and financial panics. Moreover, the currency
OF the country should be made responsive
commerce.
Reduction of Revenues.
"The collections from duties on imports and
internal taxes continue to exceed the ordi-
nary expenditures The utmost care should
be taken not to reduce the revenues SO that
thre will be any possibility of deficit; but.
after providing against any such contingency,
means should be adopted which will bring the
revenues more nearly within the limit of our
II call special attention to the need Of strict
economy in expenditures The fact that our
national needs forbid us to be niggardly in
providing whatever is actually necessary to
our well-beng, should make us doubly care
full to husband our national resources, as
each OF us husbands his private resources, by
scruDulous avoidance of anything like waste
tul or reckless expenditure.
Regulation of Railroads.
In 1887 measure was enacted for the reg.
ulation of interstate railways, commonly
known as the Interstate Commerce Act. The
cardinal provisions of that act were that
and that all shippers localities, and commo-
dties should be accorded equal treatment.
commission was created and endowed with
what were supposed to be the necessary pow
ers to execute the provisions of this act
That law was largely an experiment. Ex-
per.ence has shown the wisdom of it's pur-
EoSSo, DHI Il.tH N!sO SlUHIi, possibly luaL SCTlp
OF its requirements are wrong, certainly that
the means devised for the enforcement of its
provisions are defective.
The act should be amended. The railway
is public servant. Its rates should be just
to and open to all shippers alike. The gov
ernment should see to it tina. within its juris-
d!ctiont this is so ard should provide speedy,
inexpensive and effective remedy to that end
Atthe same time it must not be forgotten that
cur railways are the arteries through which
the commercial lifeblood of this nation flows.
Nothing could be more foolish than the en-
actment OF legislation which would unneces-
serily interfere with the development and
operation Of these commercial agencies The
subject is one CT great Importance and calls
for the earnest attention OF the Congress-
The message points out the value of the
American forests and the necessity for their
conservation, and urges the construction and
maintenance of reservoirs and irrigating
systems for the reclamation of the arid lands
of the West. Of the water rights it says:1vU
I'm the arid states the only right to water
which should be recognized is that of USE. In
irrigation this right should attach to the
land reclaimed and be inseparable therefronl.
Granting perpetual water rights to others
than users, without compensation to the
public, is open to all the objections which
apply to giving away perpetual franchises to
the public utilities of cities. A few Of the
Western states have already recognized this
and have incorporated in their constitutions