The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-12-17
He Devotes Much Attention to the Trust
Problem, and Urges Congress to
Remedy Any Evils.
AGAINST CHANGES IN THE TARIFF POLICY
Advocate. Reciprocity Wants Duty Anthracite Coal Removed Urges
an Elastic Currency System Proper immigration Law Harmony
Between Capital and Labor tho Creation Of Secretary Of
Commerce and General Staff For ths Army

est degree by q change in the tariff, save as
such change interfered with the general
prosperity of the country. TIE only rela.
tion OF the tariff to big corporations as
whole is that the tariff makes manufac-
lures profitable, and the tariff remedy
proposed would be in eff-st simply 70
make manufactures improbable. TO re-
move the tariff as o punitive measure di.
rected against trusts would inevitably re-
suit in ruin to the weaksf competitors
who are struggling against them. Our aim
should be not by unwise tariff changes to
domestic products, but by proper regu.
lation to give domestic competition a fair
chance, and this end can not be reached
by any tariff changes which would affect
all domestic competitors, good
and bad alike. The question of regulation
of the trusts stands apart from the Ques.
ton of tariff revision.
President Roosevelt then states that one
way in which the readjustment sought can
be reached Is by reciprocity treaties. He
believes that such treaties can be used to
widen our markets, and also to secure in
practical shape the lowering OF duties when
they are no longer needed for protection
among our own people, or when the mini.
Luun VI o1inaBS aohe may DS uIsEeBatoGo
for the sake OF the maximum of good &C.
Wherever the tariff conditions are such
that q needed change can not with advan-
tags be made by the application OF the re-
ciprocity idea, then it can be made outright
by lowering Of duties ON a given product.
II possible such change should be made
only after the fullest consideration by
practical experts, who should approach
the subject from business standpoint,
having in view both the particular inter
ests affected and the commercial well
being of the people as whole. The ma
ehinery for providing such careful investi.
CATION can readily be supplied. The execu.
tive department has already at its disposal
method, Of collecting facts and figures,
sideration to that which will be given the
subject by its own committees, then
Of business experts can be ap-
pointed, whose duty it should be to recon-.
mend action by the Congress after a delib-
crate and scientific examination of the va.
rious schedules a. they are affected by the
changed and changing conditions, The
unhurried and unbiased report of this
would show what changes
ehould be made in the various schedules,
and how sar these changes could 60 with.
out also changing the great prosperity
which this country 10 now enjoying, or up
setting its ixed economic policy.
President Roosevelt declares that, in or.
der to prevent the recurrence Of financial
which injuriously affect legiti.
should be an element OF elasticity in our
system. He believes that cur.
rency circulation should be so regulated
that q sufficient supply should be always
available for the business interests Of the
He suggests that oil future legis-
lation on the subject should be with the
view of encouraging the use Of such instru.
mentalities a. viii automatically supply
every legitimate demand of productive in.
dustries and of commerce, not only in the
amount, but in the character of circula.
tion, and Of making all kinds of money in.
terchanseable, and, at the will of the
holder, convertible into the established
gold standard.
He calls attention to the need of passing
! proper immigration law, covering the
read at the first session Of the present
Congress.
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
The relations of labor and capital is the
Roosevelt. He declares that this 10 an era
Of federation and combination. As bust.
ness men work through corporations 30 it
10 often necessary tor laboring men to
work in federations, and these have be-
come important factors Of modern indus
trial life. Opposition to each kind OF or.
ganization SHOULD take the form OF oppo-
sition to whatever is bad in the conduct of
any given corporation or union, but each
must refrain from arbitrary or tyrannous
interference with the rights of others. Or
ganized capital and organized labor alike
should remember that IN the long run the
interest of each must be brought into har.
mony with the interest OF the general pub
lie, and the conduct Of each must conform
to the fundamental rules Of obedience to
tice and fair dealing toward oil. Each
should remember that in ADDITION to power
it must strive after the realization OF
healthy, lofty and generous ideals. Few
people deserve better Of the country than
those representative both Of capital and
abor--and there are many such-who work
to bring about O good under.
Of this kind, based upon wisdom
and upon broad and kindly sympathy be.
tween employers and employed.
The President then earnestly hopes that
, Secretary of Commerce may be created,
with q seat in the Cabinet. He asserts
that the creation of such . department
would in itself be an advance toward deal
ing with and exercising supervision over
the whole subject Of the great corpora:
with this end in view the Congress should
which could be increased a. experience
might show the need.
The President states that he hopes soon
10 submit to the Senate reciprocity
treaty with Cuba. On May 20 last the
United States kept its promise to the isl.
and by formally vacating Cuban soil and
turning Cuba over to those whom her own
people had chosen a. the first officials of
the new republic. He urges the adoption
Of reciprocity with Cuba not only because
It Is emineEtly for our own interests to
control the Cuban market and by every
means to foster our supremacy in the trop-
ical lands and waters south Of Us, but also
because we, Of the giant republic Of the
Of the American Continent feel that when
ever they will permit it we desire to show
ourselves disinterestedly and effectively
theis friend.
President Roosevelt declares that the
formation of the international tribunal
which sits at The Hague is an event Of
rood omen, from which great consequences
for the welfare Of all mankind may flow.
II is far better, where possible, to invoke
such a permanent tribunal than to create
special arbitrators for given purpose.
II is q matter of sincere congratulation to
our country that the United States and
Mexico should have been the first to use
the good offices of The Hague court. This
was done last summer with most satisfac-
tory results in the case of claim at issue
between us and our sister republic. 1t is
to BE- hoped that this first case
will serve as a precedent for others, in
which not only the United States but for.
eign nations may take advantage OF the
machinery already in existence at The