Bisbee daily review., 1902-11-22
THE TARIFF IS ROBBERY

It is only those who will not see the truth who are not convinced today that the present protective tariff is a scheme to rob the people and put money into the pockets of protected monopolies. Senator w A. Harris of Kansas, who has just returned from a visit to Europe, made for the purpose of studying the prices in that country of the product of protected American industries, says:
 T found that l could buy American meat in London cheaper than he. e."
 Commenting on the results of Sen ator Harris investigations the Denver News says:
 This testimony is by no means new. It is made by almost every pas senger returning from abroad. If American corporations can sell their goods at a profit to European custom CTS at a figure so much less than they sell to American customers, and pay the transportation charges required to carry them across the water be- sides, then there is but one logical conciusion-they are robbing the American customer.
 What is it that enables them to do this? The tariff. Why, then, does the tariff remain? Is it alone because the corporations desire it to assist in their hold up of the American people? Is there no other argument in it's ia vor? Yes, two are made. First, that it protects American industries. Sec ond, that it protects American labor.
 As to the first. The American in dustry that can compete with Euro pean industry on the latter's own ground needs no protection.
 As to the second. If an American industry can sell for a certain figure in Europe. and make a profit over and above its labor cost, then it can sell at the same figure at home and make the same profit over and above it's labor cost. So there would be no need for reduction of wages. Where in, then, is American labor benefited? Is it by the higher prices it must pay for it's clothes and meat and other products?
 Not only this, but the American corporation would save the ocean charges both ways. If selling at home it would save it's own transportation charges across the water and in ad- dition could place the home price high enough to equal the added cost to the European of crossing the water with his good and getting into our markets to compete
 If it is argued that, in case the tar iii were reduced, the corporations would arbitrarily reduce the prices of labor, it may be answered that manu- facturers pay their labor now only what they have to. They would not reduce wages any lower, because they could not. The labor union is fac tor to consider in that matter.
 If it is said that American manu- lecturers sell abroad at a sacrifice in order to gain a a-foothold, that state ment will go for what 1t is worth with anybody who is acquainted with the sacrificing spirit usually displayed by our trusts. The foothold has been gained. American goods are being sold in quantities all over, Europe To argue that all these products are being sold at less than profit is twaddle..
 Those who demand a change in present tariff schedules only ask for such reduction as will give the American people little relief from the robbery under which they are sui fering at the hands of trusts.
 Returning to Senator Harris, it may be added that he is wearing a pair of American made boots that he bought in London at 20 per cent less than the price the same boots would have cost him at home"