Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-06-13
TALK ON THE TARIFF
The Industrial Commission Hears
Witnesses on the Question.
TAYLER, OF OHIO, AGAINST TRUSTS.


Washington, June 1.-THE indus.
trial commission, at its session yes
terday, considered the tariff question
with incidental reference to trusts,
the witnesses being Congressman
Robert W. Tayler, OF Ohio, and DR..
George G. Gunton, president of the
New York Institute of Social Eco
Monies. Mr.. Tayler took the position
that any discussion in congress of
the tariff at this time would have a
damaging effect upon the country.
He said the Dingley law wos the most
equitable tariff law the United States
had ever had. He took a decided po-
sition against trusts and said that
they are not fostered by the protec-
tive tariff. Mr.. Tayler also said that
he believed in the principle Of reci-
procity, but that he did not indorse
any of the recently negotiated reci-
ProcIIy trtatles.
DR.. Gunton devoted himself espe.
cially to replying to an argument re-
Gently made before the commission
by Mr.. Edward Atkinson for freer
trade. DR.. Gunton said that the
freedom commended for by opponents
of the tariff is analogous to the free
dom of the savage, a freedom which,
II INDUCED in too freely not only
brings injury to others, hut ruin to
himself.
Mr.. Tayler announced the general
principle that the history Of the coun-
try for the past few years and the
conditions demand that there should
not be the slightest relaxing of the
tariff principle as now embodied in
the Dinglcy law. The relation of the
tariff to trusts, he said, Is only incl
dental. The Dingley law embodies.
he said, the idea that the American
civilization is on higher plane than
any other and requires higher re-
ward for its labor to maintain that
excellence. Whenever the labor cost
Is greater than elsewhere It is neces-
sary that there should be an equaliz.
Ing influence such as the Dingley law.
Primarily, therefore, the protective
tariff law was in the interest of la
Dor. Even the farmer, he said, gets
reciprocal benefit.
"llow is the farmer benefited by
the tariff on steel?' asked Col. Liv-
ingston.
"In the first place." replied the wit
ness, there is not much tariff on
steel and iron except possibly on tin
plate. We pay out in wages not less
than $9O,OOO,0OO. That means that the
consuming power of the American
people at home is increased to that
extent and ! think that the effect Of
that increased consumption Is suffi-
cient to recoup the farmer for any
increase of the cost to him
of iron and steel articles which he
may purchase
Mr.. Tayler said that distrustful as
he was OF the trusts, he had no REM
edy TO suggest. He did not accept
the theory that the trusts alone could
be trusted to reduce the cost of COM
modites, Tnstancing the United
States Steel company, he said that
It's securities amount to 81 ,50O,OOO,O00,
while the cost had not been one-third
that amount. He had no doubt that
the holders of those securities would
demand returns upon them. He did
not consider trusts the outgrowth OF
protection, but conceded that Incl
dentally some trusts might be bene-
fitted by protection. "just as the sun
may cause weeds to grow"
Speaking of the strike Of the ma
chnsts, DR.. Gunton said II was per-
fcctly right, as he believed, that labor
was justified in organizing as capital
for the protection of its interests. He
said. however, that the machinists
were blameworthy in that they had
agreed to arbitrate and then had
failed to live up to their agreement.
Tie favored compulsory education and