Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-12-12
) %~A~~%.%%%%>%%HV~~

. %e.A><4.<<<%>>AtvH>
= Our experience in the past has q
. shown that sweeping revisions Of the .
- tariff are apt to produce conditions .
- closely approaching panic in the bus .
. mess world. -
$>>>>>>>><>>>>>>%3
Yet it IL not only possible. but eminent
ly desirable, to combine with the sta
Oilitys'of our economic system q supple
-mentary system of reciprocal benefit and
obligation with other nations. Such reci-
procity .is an incident and result of the
firm establishment and preservation Of
our present economic policy. 1t was
specially provided Cor in the present tariff
law. :,
%%HH>>>%<>>>><<>H>
. Reciprocity must be treated as the .
handmaiden of protection. .
Our first duty Is to see that the pro-
lection granted by the tariff in every case
where it is needed is maintained, and that
reciprocity be sought for so far as it can
safely be done without injury to our
home industries. Just how far this is
must be determined according to the in
ilividual case, remembering always that
every application of our tariff policy to
meet our shifting national needs must 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. well being of the wageworker is a
prime consideration of our entire policy
Of economic legislation.
Subject to this proviso Of the proper
protection necessary to our industrial
well being at home the principle of reci-
,procity must command our hearty sup
port. The phenomenal growth of our
the need for wider markets and for q lib
eral policy in dealing with foreign ma
lions. Whatever is merely petty and vex-
atious in the way of trade restrictions
should be avoided. The customers to
whom we dispose of our surplus products
I'm the long run directly or indirectly pur-
chase those surplus products by giving
us something in return. Their ability ~
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 with
out harm to our own industries and Ia
Dor or the use of which will be Of marked
benefit to us.
80 <%>
- 1t Is most important that we should =
q maintain the high level of our pres
- ent prosperity.
80 q 80 80 q 80
We have now reached the point In the
development Of our interests where we
are not only able to supply our own mar
akets, but to produce a constantly grow
ing surplus for which we must find mar
kets> 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 fol
revenue, as giving us something to offer
In exchange for what we ask. The cor
dial relations with other nations which
are so desirable will naturally be pro-
;moted by the course thus required by oul
own interests.
The natural line Of development for q
policy of reciprocity will be in connection
with those of our productions which nc
longer require all of the support once
needed to establish them upon sound
basis, and with those others where either
because. of natural or of economic causes
we are beyond the reach Of successful
competition.
I ask the attention Of the senate to the
reciprocity treaties laid before it by my
predecessor.