The Iola register., 1901-12-06
THE TARIFF.
Amy General Change In IL Not to he
Desired mt This Time.

There Is general acquiescence In our
present tariff system as "A national policy.
The first requisite to our prosperity is the
continuity and stability of this economic
policy. Nothing could he more unwise
than to disturb the business interests or
the country by any general tariff change
at this time. Doubt, apprehension, un-
certainty, are exactly what we most wish
to avoid in the interest Of our commercial
and material well being. our experience
in the past has shown that sweeping reVi-
sions of the tnriff are apt to produce con-
ditions closely approaching panic in the
business world. Yet II is not only possi-
BILE. but eminently desirable to combine
with the stability OF our economic sys-
tenn "A supplementary system Of reciprocal
benent and obligation with other nations.
Such reciprocity is an incident and result
OF the firm establishment and preservation
OF our present economic policy. II was
specially provided for in the present tariff
law
Recommends Reciprocity.
Reciprocity must be treated as the hand
maiden OF protection. our first duty Is to
see that the protection granted by the tar
in iu every case where II is needed Is
maintained and that reciprocity be sought
for so far as ii 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 tarin
policy to meet our shifting national needs
must be conditioned upon the cardinal
fact that the duties must never be re-
difference between the labor cost here and
abroad. The well being Of the wagework-
er is 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
export trade emphasizes the urgency Of
the need for wider markets and for lib
eral policy in dealing with foreign ma
4 Y
atious In the way of trade restrictions
should be avoided. The customers to
in the long run directly or Indirectly pur-
chase those surplus products by giving MS
something in return. Their ability to pur-
chase our products should as far as pos
sible be secured by so arranging our tar
iff as to enable us 10 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
10 us.
Line of Reciprocal Development.
II is most important that we should
maintain the high level Of our present
prosperity. We have now reached the
point in The development of our interests
where We are not only able 10 supply our
own markets, but to produce 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 I'm 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 cor
dial relations with other nations which
are so desirable will naturally be pro-
moted 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
longer require All of the support once
needed to establish them upon sound
basis, and with those others where either
we are beyond the reach Of succcssful
competition.
ask the attention Of the senate TO the
reciprocity treaties laid before Il by my
predecessor