Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1901-12-05

revisons OF the tariff are apt to produse
conditions closely approaching panic in the
business world. Yet II is not only possible
but eminently desirable to combine with the
stability OF our economic system q supple
mentary system OF reciprocal benefit and obli-
Bauon with other nations. Such reciprocity
IS an incident and result OF the firm estab-
lishment and preservation of our present
economic policy. II was specially provided
Tor In the present tariff law.
our first duty Is to that the protection
granted by the tariff in every case where Il
Is needed Is maintained. and that reciprocity
bo sought for far as IL can safely be done
without injury to our home industries Just
Low 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 VIII cover the difference between the
labor cost here and abroad. The well-being
or the wage-worker is a prime consideration
OF our entire policy OF economic legislation
Subject to this provlso of the proper pro-
lection necessary to our Industrial well-being
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
eign nations Whatever is merely petty and
veSano9s IN ne way of trade restrictions
we dispose of our surplus products in the
long run, directly or indirectly, purchase
nose surplus products by giving us some
thing in return. Their ability to purchase
our products should far as possible be
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, 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
put TO produce a constantly growing surplus
for which we must find markets abroad To
secure these markets we 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 offer in
exchange for what we ask The cordial re-
lations with other nations which are so de-
sirabie Will naturally be promoted by the
course thus required by our own interests.
The natural line of development for a
policy of reciprocity will be in connection
with those OF our productions which no long
er require all of the support once needed
TO establish them upon a 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
reciprocity treaties laid before it by my pre-
decessor.
Our Merchant Marine.
THE condition of the American merchant
marine is such as to call for Immediate
remedial action by the Congress II is dis
credltable 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 shipping of foreign countries. Many OF
the fast foreign steamships, at a speed OF
fourteen knots or above, are subsidized and
all our ships, sailing vessels and steamers
alike, cargo carriers OF slow speed and mai
carriers of high speed have to meet the
fact that the original cost of building Ameri
can ships is greater than is the case abroad
that the wages paid American officers an5
tban ~
the officers and seamen OF foreign competing
countries; and that the standard of living
on our ships Is far superior to the standard o
living on the ships of our commercial rivals
our government should take such actor
as will remedy these inequalities, The Amer
lean merchant marine should be restored I,
the ocean.
THE Act of March a. 1900. intended un
equivocally to establish gold as the STANDARD
money and to maintain at a parity therewitl
all forms of money medium in use with us
has been shown to be timely and judicious
The price OF our government bonds in til
worlds market, when compared with tn
price of similar obligations issued by othe
natlons, is fattering tribute to our publ
credit. This condition 1t is eminently desir
able to maintain.
In many respects the National Bankin
Law furnishes sufficient liberty for the prope
exercise of the banking function but ther
seems to be need of better safeguards agains
the deranging influence of commercial crse
and financial panics. Moreover. the currenc
Of the country should be made responsiv
to the demands OF our domestic trade an
commerce.
Reduction of Revenues.
THE collections from duties on imports an
| internal taxes continue to exceed the ordi
| nary expenditures. The utmost care shou
| be taken not to reduce the revenues tina
| thre will be any possibility of deficit; bui
| after providing against any such contingency
means should be adopted which will bring tn
revenues more nearly within the limit of ou
| actual needs.
\
| economy In expenditures. The fact that GU
national needs forbid us to be niggardly /
| providing whatever is actually necessary t
! our well-being, should make US douby care
full to husband our national resources, q
! each of us husbands his private resources, b
| scrupnlous avoidance of anything like waste
! full or reckless expenditure.
Regulation of Railroads.
In 1887 a measure was enacted for the res
| ulation of interstate railways commonl
| known as the Interstate Commerce Act. tt
| cardinal provisions of that act were thi
| railway rates should be Just and reasonab
and that all shippers, localities, and comm
dities should be accorded equal treatment.
commission was created and endowed vii
what were supposed to be the necessary poy
ers to execute the provisions OF this act
| That law was largely an experiment e.
perience has shown the wisdom of its pu
poses, but has also shown. possibly that son
OF its requirements are wrong, certainly TIL
the means devised for the enforcement OF /
provisions are defective.
THE act should be amended. The railws
is public servant, It's rates should be ju
to and open TO all shippers alike. The go
ernment should see to II that within its jurl
dietion this Is so and should provide a speed
inexpensive, and effective remedy to that en-
Atthe same time il must not be forgotten tn
our railways are the arteries through whit
the commercial lifebood of this nation flow
Nothing could be more foolish than the e.
actment Of legislation which would unnece
sariy interfere with the development al
operation OF these commercial agencies. III
! subject is one of great importance and cal
for the earnest attention of the Congress.
The message points out the value of Il
| American forests and the necessity for the
conservation, and urges the construction Al
maintenance of reservoirs and irrigatir
systems for the reclamation of the arid Liant
OF the West OF the water rights it says.
I'm the arid states the only right to wat
which should be recognized is that Of use,
irrigation this right should attach to q
land reclaimed and be inseparable therefroi
Granting perpetual water rights to othe
than users, without compensation to t
public is open to all the objections viii
apply TO giving away perpetual franchises
the public utilities of cities. A few of I
Western states have already recognized II
and have incorporated in their constitutio
the doctrine of perpetual state ownership
water.
Development of Hawaii.
"our aim should be not simply to recla
the largest area of land and provide HON
for the largest number of people, but
create for this new industry the best possil
social and Industrial conditions. and this
! auires that we not only understand the {
istng situation. but avail ourselves of I
best experience of the time in the soliiti
of its problems. A careful study should
! made both by the nation and the states,
! the Irrigation laws and conditions here a
= abroad Ultimately it will probably be nee
| sary for the nation to cooperate with
several arid states in proportion tn,
states by their legislation and admini0trati
! show themselves fit to receive IL.
, , In Hawaii our aim must be to develop
! territory on the traditional American lin
We do not wish a region Of large cities til
n | by cheap labor; we wish healthy Amerit