The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-12-03
TARIFF SHOULD STAND.
ANY General Change in Existing Law
Deemed Unwise.

There is general acQuieScence in our
present 1 Thd e, system as natlon n
perity is the continuity and stability of
this economic policy. Nothing could be
more unwise than to disturb the bust
ness interests of the country by any
general tariff change at this time.
Doubt, apprehension, uncertainty are
exactly what we most wish to avoid in
the interest of our commercial and ma
terial we'll being. Our experience in
the past has shown that sweeping revis-
ions of the tariff are apt to produce con-
ditions closely approaching panic in the
business world. Yet it is not only pos
sible, but eminently desirable, to COM
bine with the stability of our economic
system supplementary system of re-
c1prOcal benefit and obligation with
incident and result of the firm estab-
lShment and preservation of our pres
ent economic policy. 1t was specially
provided for in the present tariff law
RECIPROCITY.
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 re-
ciprocity 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
individual 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 wage worker is a prime consid-
GRAFTON of our entire policy of economic
legislation.
protection necessary to our industrial
well being at home, the principle of re-
ciprocity must command our hearty
support. The phenomenal growth of
a 0T11T N CT no
urgency of the need for wider markets
and for a liberal policy in dealing with
foreign nations. What ever is merely
petty and vexatious in the way of trade
restrictions should be avoided. The Gus
toners to whom we dispose of our sur
plus products in the long run, directly
or Indirectly, purchase those surplus
products by giving US something in re-
turn. Their ability to purchase our
products should as far 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 industries and labor
or the use of which will be of marked
benefit to us.
MUST FIND MARKETS.
1t is most important that should
maintain the high level of our present
prosperity We have now reached the
point in the development of our in
terests where we are not only able to
supply our own markets but to pro-
duce a 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 offer in ex-
change for what we ask The cordial
relations with other nations which are
so desirable 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 con-
nection with those of our productions
which no longer require all of the sup
port once needed to establish them upon
a sound basis, and with those others