Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-12-03

very close supervision should be ex-
ercised over the steamship compan-
les which mainly bring over the immi-
grants, and they should be held to
strict accountability for any infrac
tion of the law.
There is general acquiescence In our
present tariff system as a national
policy. The first requisite to our pros
perity is the continuity and stability
of this economic policy. Nothing
could be more unwise than to disturb
the business interests of the country
by any general tariff change at this
time. Doubt, apprehension, uncer-
tainty are exactly what we most wish
to avoid in the interest of our CONNER
cial and material weH-being. Our ex-
perience in the past has shown that
sweeping revisions of the tariff are apt
to produce conditions closely approach
ing panic in the business world. Yet
1t Is not only possible, but eminently
desirable, to combine with the stabil-
ity of our economic system a supple
mentary system of reciprocal benefit
and obligation with other nations.
Such reciprocity is an incident and
result of the firm establishment and
preservation of our present economic
policy. 1t was specially provided for
in the present tariff law.
Reciprocity must be treated as the
handmaiden of protection. Our first
duty Is to see that the protection grant
ed by the tariff in every case where
it Is needed is maintained,- and that
reciprocity be sought for so far as 1t
can safely be done without injury to
our home industries. Just how far this
Is must be determined according to
the individual case, remembering al
ways that every application of our
tariff policy to meet our shifting ma
tional needs must be conditioned up
on 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 wage-worker is a
prime consideration of our entire pol
ley of economic legislation.
Subject to this proviso Of the proper
protection necessary to our industrial
well-being at home, the principle of
reciprocity must command our hearty
support. The phenomenal growth of
our export trade emphasizes the ur--
gency of the need for wider warkets
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,
directly or indirectly, purchase
those surplus products by giving us
something In return. Their ability to
purchase our products should as far
as possible be secured by so arranging
our tariff as to enable us to take from
them those products which We can
use without harm to our own indus
tries 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 our present
prosperity. We have now reached the
point in the developments of our I'M
terests where we are not only able
| to supply our own markets but to pro-
duce II constantly growing surplus for
which we must find markets 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 any case where
| the article is not produced here and
/ the duty Is no longer necessary for
revenue, as giving us something to Of
fer in exchange for what we ask. The
/ cordial relations with other nations
| which are SO desirable will naturally
be promoted by the course thus re-
| quired by our own interests.
The natural line Of development for
a policy of reciprocity will be in con-
nectiOn with those of our productions
which no longer require all Of the sup
pOlS once needed to establish them
upon sound basis, and with those
others where either because of ma
'""i VI VI 'Noippillic Cuuscs We dic
beyond the reach of successful COM
petition.
ask the attention Of the Senate to
the reciprodity treaties laid before
1t by my predecessor.
The condition of the American mer-
chant marine is such as to call for
Congress. 1t Is dlscreditable to us as
immediate remedial action by the
n nation that our merchant marine
should he utterly insignificant In COM
parison to that Of other nations which
we overtop in other forms of business.
We should not longer submit to con
ditions under which only trifling