The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-12-06

duty is to see that the protection
granted NY the tariff in every case
where it is needed is maintained, and
that reciprocity be sought for SO far
as it can be safely done without in
Jury to our home industries. Just
how far this is must be determined
according to the individual case, re
always that every appli-
Of our tariff policy to meet our
shifting national needs must be con-
ditioned Upon the cardinal fact that
the duties must never be reduced be-
low the point that will v the
difference between the labor cost here
and abroad. The well being Of the
wage worker is a prime consideration
of our entire policy of economic legis-
Subject to this proviso of the
proper protection necessary to u in
dustrial well being at home, the prin-
ciple of reciprocity must command our
hearty support.
The phenomenal growth Of u ex~
port trade emphasizes the urgency OF
the need for wider markets and for
liberal policy in dealing with foreign
nations. Whatever is 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, dl-
rectly or indirectly, purchase those
surplus products by giving us some
thing in return. Their ability to pur-
chase our products should as far as
possible be secured by SO arranging
our tariff az to enable us to take from
them those products which we can use
without harm to our own industries
and labor, Or the use of which will
be of marked benefit to us.
1t is most important that we should
maintain the high level of u pres
ent prosperity. We have now reached
the point in the development of our
interests wnere we are not only aDle
to supply our own markets but to pro-
duce a constantly growing surplus for
which we must find markets abroad.
To secure these markets we a utilize
existing 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 n
the duty is no longer necessary for
revenue, as giving us something to
offer in exchange for what we ask.
The cordial relations with other ma
lions which are SO desirable will
NATURALLY U0 PlOAlOlOu w thS SouAoS
thus required by our own interests.
The natural lines of development
for a policy of reciprocity will be in
! connection with those of our produc-
| ton which no longer require all of the
| support once needed to establish them
upon a sound basis, and with those
others where either because Of not
ural or economic causes we are be-
,or1 Tho roooh nf c11aopccfn1 oOmn0ti-
ton.
l ask the attention Of the senate to
the reciprocity treaties laid before it
by my predecessor.
Merchant Marine.
The condition of the American mer-
chant marine is such as to call for
immediate remedial action by the con
gress. It is discretitable to us as a
nation that our merchant marine
should be utterly Insignificant in com
parison 70 that of other nations which
we overstep in other forms OF busl-
ness. We should not longer submit
to conditions under which only a trlt-
ing portion of our great commerce is
carried in u own ships. To remedy
this state OF things, would not merely
serve to build up our shipping inter
ests but it would also result in bene'
fit to all who are interested in the
permanent establishment of a wider
market for American products and
would provide an auxiliary force for
the navy. Ships work for their own
countries just as railroads work fO1
their terminal points. Shipping lines
if established to the principal coun'
tries with which We have dealings
would be of political as well as of com.
mercial benefit. From every stand
point it is unwise for the United
States to continue to rely upon the
ships of competing nations for the
distributing Of u goods. 1t shoule
be made advantageous to carry Amer
lean goods in American built ships.
At present American shipping il
under certain great disadvantages
when put in competition with the ship
ping of foreign countries. Many o
the fast foreign steamships at a speed
of IA knots or above, are subsidized
and all OF ships, sailing vessels ant
steamers, cargo carriers of small
speed and mail carriers Of high speed
have to meet the fact that the origina
cost of building American ships j
greater than is the case abroad, la
I-LuC WdsCS pdlu 4S0A I'LL
seamen are very mucn higher thai
those paid the officers and seamen o
foreign competing countries, and tina
the standard of living on our ships j
far superior to the standard of living
on the ships of our comercial rivals
Our government should take sucl
action as will remedy these Unequal
} tiles. The American merchant marin
should be restored to the ocean.
!, Revenue.
The act of Mar. IA, 1900, intended t.
} establish gold as the standard none,
| and to maintain at a parity therewitl
, all forms of money medium in use wit,
: us, has been shown to be timely an
judicious. The price of our govern
ment bonds in the worlds market
! *when compared with the price O
similar obligations issued by other ne
I lions is a fiattering tribute to on
: public credit. This conditions it i
! auidopt1v docjro h1n IN maintain r