Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1902-12-06

changes II ~ most earnestly To be
wished that we could treat the tariff
from the standpoint solely OF our bust
ncss needs. II is, perhaps, too much 60
hope that partlsanshp may be entirely
excluded from consideration OF the sub
jcct, but az least II can be made second
airy to the business interests OF the coun-
try--that is. to the interests OF our people
as a whole. Unqucstionably these bust
ness interests will best be served II to-
gethcr with nxity of principle as regards
the tariff we combine n system which will
permit us from time to time 20 make the
necessary reapplication OF the principle
to the shifting national needs. We must
take scrupulous care that the rcapplica-
tion shall be made In such a way that 1t
Will rot amount To dislocation of our
system, the mere threat OF which mot to
SPEAK of the performance would produce
paralysis In the business energies of the
community The first consideration In
making these changes would of course
be to preserve the principle which under
lies our whole tariff system--that is. the
principle of putting American business
interests at least on n fun equality with
interests abroad. and OF always allow
ing "A sufficient rate OF duty to more than
cover .hc difference between the labor
cost here and abroad. The we'll being OF
the wage worker, like the well-being of
the tilcr of the soil. should be treated as
an essential In shaping our whole econo-
mic policy. There must never be any
change which will jeopardize the stand
ard OF wages Of the American wage
worker
Points Out Readjustment.
one way In which the readjustment
sought can he reached is By reciprocity
treaties. II Is greatly to be desired that
such treaties may he adopted They can
be used to widen our markets and to
give a greater field for the activities OF
our producers on the one hand and on
the other hand to secure In practical
shape the lowering of duties when they
are no longer needed for protection among
our own people, or when the minimum
of damage done may he disregarded for
the sake OF the maximum Of good accom-
plished. II 1t prove impossible to ratify
the pending treaties. and II there seem to
be no warrant for the endeavor to exc
cute others. or to amend the pending
treaties so that they can he ratified. then
should be met by direct Legislation
Wherever the tariff conditions are such
that a needed change can not with ad-
vantage ss made by the application Of
the reciprocity idea, then II can be made
| outright by lowering OF duties on n
given product. II possible. such chang.
should be made only after the fullest
consideration by practical experts. who
should approach the subject from busi-
ness standpoint having In view both the
particular interests affected and the com
merc'h wclibelng of the people MS a
whoe The machinery for providing
SUCH careful investigation can readily be
supplied. The executive department has
| already mt its disposal methods OF collect
ing facts and figures: and II the congress
desires additional consideration to that
which VIII be given the subject by it's
own committees, then a commission OF
business experts can be appointed whose
duty IL should be to recommend action
ny the congress after n deliberate and
scientific examination OF the various
schedules as they are affected by the
changed and chang...g conditions, The
unhurried and unbiased report OF this
commission would show what changes
should be made in the various schedules.
and how far these changes could go with
out also changing the great prosperity
which TINS country is now enjoying. or
upsetting it's fixed economic policy.
The cases In which the tarf can pro-
duce monopoly are so few as to consti-
tute an inconsiderable factor in the aues-
tion but OF course II In any casA n he
found that given rate of duty does pro-
mote monopoly which works III. no pro
tectionist would object 10 such reduction
OF the duty as would equalize competi-
ton.
In my Judgment, the tariff on anthra-
cite coal should be removed. and anthra-
cite put actually where II now is nomin-
ally' on the free list This would have
no effect at all save in crisis; but I'm
crisis 1t might be of service to the people
Our Monetary System.
interest rates are potent factor IN
business activity and In order that these
rates may be equaiized To meet the vary
ing needs of the seasons and OF widely
separated communities, ana TO prevent
the recurrence OF financial stringencies
which inJur!ousIy affect legitimate busl-
ness. II is necessary that there should be
mn element "a elasticity IN our monetary
system. Banks are the natural servants
OF commerce. and upon them should be
placed. as far as practicable. the burden
Of furnishing and maintaining a circula-
tion adequate 10 supply the needs OF our
diversified industries and Of our domestic
ana foreign commerce; ana the issue of
this should be 80 regulated that a suf-
hciont supply should bo always available
fot the business interests OF the country. !
:; would be both unwiso az unneces-
sary al this time 10 attempt to recon |
struct our financial system, which has |
been the growth of a century; but some